THA Football Centre is provided by the Football Coaching Company “The Holmshaw Academy LTD“ registered in England and Wales.
Our Story
The Holmshaw Academy was founded by Simon, Sam, and Ethan Holmshaw with a clear purpose — to help children develop a love for football from an early age and guide their progress through the stages of youth football. We achieve this through engaging, structured sessions that encourage exploration, creativity, and fun — building both confident players and positive individuals.
Background
Our founders, Simon, Sam, and Ethan, are passionate football coaches with experience across both junior and senior football.
In 2009, Simon founded a junior football club in Sheffield after recognising an opportunity to help children in the local community — many of whom hadn’t yet had the chance to play in organised football — to develop their skills, confidence, and character through the game.
In the years that followed, his sons Sam and Ethan joined him on the coaching journey. Over the past 16 years, the trio have coached together on a variety of projects across Sheffield and Leeds, creating welcoming environments where young players can grow as both people and players.
Their shared passion for coaching and player development remains at the heart of everything The Holmshaw Academy does today.
In 2020, after just short of 30 years coaching experience collectively in grassroots amateur and academy level football, the trio decided to set up their own football school for children in Leeds.
Purpose
At THA, we believe too many children’s football sessions limit players’ creativity and adaptability — two qualities that are vital in the modern game.
Our coaching philosophy encourages players to experiment, make mistakes, and explore freely on the pitch. Each session is designed to help every child become confident and capable in all positions — developing well-rounded, intelligent footballers who truly understand the game.
Meet the Directors
Simon Holmshaw – Managing Director
Simon Holmshaw is the Managing Director at THA, With over 15 years of coaching experience, Simon started as a parent-coach for his son Jacob’s junior football team and has grown into a leader focused on youth development.
He is dedicated to helping both players and parents navigate the football journey, ensuring children aged 2–11 enjoy the game while building skills, confidence, and teamwork. Simon oversees THA’s vision, leading the Academy in delivering high-quality coaching experiences.
Ethan Holmshaw – Operations Director
Ethan Holmshaw is the operations director at THA, and has over 10 years of football coaching experience. He began coaching at just 14 as an assistant at a grassroots club and has since developed a wealth of experience working with young players.
Ethan holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Coaching and is currently studying for his UEFA B Football qualification. Passionate about creating structured, engaging programmes, Ethan ensures every session at THA runs smoothly while fostering a supportive environment where players can thrive.
Sam Holmshaw – Technical Director
Sam Holmshaw is the Technical Director at THA and has been coaching for over 10 years in grassroots and academy settings. A UEFA B qualified coach with a Master’s Degree in Sports Coaching, Sam is passionate about developing well-rounded players. He follows a structured, player-centred philosophy that combines creativity, tactical understanding, and adaptability.
Sam also hosts The Sports Coaching Podcast, sharing insights from coaching professionals and bridging the gap between academic research and practical football development. At THA, Sam leads the technical and coaching programmes, ensuring young players grow both on and off the pitch.
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