Our THA Team
Simon Holmshaw (Leeds/Sheffield)
Simon Holmshaw is the Managing Director at THA. Simon has been a football coach/Manager for 17 years. In his Junior football roles, Simon’s honours include winning two cup competitions and 3 league trophies in the grassroots leagues in Sheffield.
Ethan Holmshaw (Leeds)
Ethan Holmshaw is the Operations Director at THA and is also responsible for the Leeds Site. Ethan is currently the Director of Football at Horsforth St. Margarets Womens Football Club and Premier league KICKS co-ordinator at Leeds United Football Club. Ethan, a UEFA B candidate, has been a football coach for over 10 years and has a BSc and MSc degree in Sports Coaching.
Sam Holmshaw
Sam Holmshaw is the Technical Director at THA. Sam is a UEFA B-qualified coach and possesses a BSc and MSc degree in Sports Coaching. He is currently based in Hong Kong, where he is an Assistant College Lecturer at the HKU Space Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC). Sam teaches across Higher Diploma sport-related programmes, delivering lectures, tutorials and practical sessions.
Joseph Holmshaw (Leeds/Sheffield)
Joey oversees our Player Metrics programme, leading in talent identification and performance analysis. Joey is also an assistant coach at Leeds and Sheffield. Joe has played football since the age of 6 and has helped out with assisting many teams, including the Ilkely Women’s First Team and Horsforth St Margaret’s Women’s First Team.
Nicola Holmshaw (Leeds/Sheffield)
Nicola is a Lead coach for our Parent and Child classes in Leeds, and is also an assistant for our KS2 class in Sheffield. She has been involved in junior football for over a decade, primarily as a club secretary.
Joshua Hunter (Leeds)
Josh is a lead coach at our Horsforth & Pudsey centre in Leeds. He works with our Parent & Child, KS1 and KS2 classes. He has a degree in Sports Coaching from Leeds Beckett University and is currently studying his UEFA C qualification. He is currently the manager of Horsforth St Margaret’s Women’s Reserve team
Sean Nyamudandara (Leeds)
Sean is a Lead Coach at THA Football Centres in Leeds. Sean has coached for 7 years and holds a UEFA C Licence and a Degree in Sports Coaching. He is the current Manager of Horsforth St Margaret’s Women’s First Team and is a UEFA B Candidate.
Elliot Watson (Leeds)
Elliot is an assistant coach at our Horsforth & Pudsey football centres in Leeds. Elliot is a 2nd-year Sport Coaching student at Leeds Beckett University.
In addition to coaching at THA, Elliot is currently the assistant manager of Leeds Hyde Park women’s first team. Elliot is currently studying for his Level 1 Football Qualification.
Wadood Yahaya (Leeds)
Wadood is an Assistant Coach at our Horsforth Centre and is currently in his final year at university, studying Sports Marketing at Leeds Beckett University. He has been involved in football since the age of five and has accumulated many years of playing experience, which he continues to develop as an active player.
With a lifelong involvement in the game, Wadood brings a strong understanding of football into his coaching. He creates a positive, supportive, and engaging environment, helping players of all abilities to develop their confidence, skills, and enjoyment of the game.
Elliot Malone (Leeds)
Elliot is an Assistant Coach at our Horsforth Centre. He has been involved in football from an early age and is currently in his first year of university. Elliot has begun his coaching journey with THA and supports our Saturday sessions, continuing to develop his experience within the game.
Alongside his football involvement, Elliot also has a background in acting, having appeared in the BBC children’s football drama Jamie Johnson. This experience adds to his confidence, communication skills, and positive engagement with young players
Aaron Light (Leeds)
Aaron is an Assistant Coach at our Horsforth Centre. Aaron is a Sports Coaching student at University Centre Leeds (Mabgate), developing foundational coaching knowledge through a combination of academic study and practical learning.
He is highly motivated to gain relevant experience to support his long-term progression in coaching. In May, Aaron plans to travel to the USA for three months to gain insight into international coaching approaches.
Emia Lorelle Hendrickson-Eastwood (Leeds)
Emia is an Assistant Coach at our Horsforth Centre. As a player, Emia has previously played for Bradford Women (National League) and York City Ladies (Tier 4), and currently plays for both Harrogate Town Women first team and the U23 team.
She is passionate about developing further as a coach and has gained previous coaching experience through Leeds Grammar School in partnership with the Leeds United Foundation Education.
Émia is currently studying Level 3 and Level 4 Sport and Exercise Science, working towards becoming a Sport Massage Therapist.
Oliver Hey (Leeds)
Oliver is an Assistant Coach at our Horsforth Centre. Ollie is in his final year studying Sports Coaching at Leeds Beckett University. He has been involved in football for as long as he can remember and continues to play the game today.
Ollie has developed his coaching skills throughout his time at university, including spending a summer in the USA coaching young players. He focuses on creating a positive and inclusive environment where all players can develop their skills and enjoy football.
Matthew Forsythe (Leeds)
Matthew is an Assistant Coach at our Horsforth Centre. Matthew is an aspiring actor with a strong passion for football coaching. He has been playing football for as long as he can remember and grew up in Mexico, where street football played a big role in shaping his love for skilful and creative players.
Matthew enjoys learning and teaching new skills, which sparked his interest in coaching. He is passionate about building strong connections with players, believing this is key to providing the best coaching experience. His background in acting brings confidence, energy, and an outgoing personality to his coaching, helping him engage and connect with young players.
Ben Speight (Leeds)
Ben is an Assistant Coach at our Horsforth Centre. Ben has played football for Horsforth St Margaret’s since Under 7s and is currently studying a Level 3 Coaching course at Leeds City College.
He has a strong passion for both playing and watching football and is keen to develop his coaching skills. Ben supports THA sessions on Saturday mornings to gain experience and further his development within coaching.
Josh Naylor (Sheffield)
osh is an Assistant Coach at our Hillsborough Centre. He is currently studying Sports Development and Coaching at college and is aiming to progress onto Sports Business Management at Sheffield Hallam University.
Josh has played football since the age of seven and has a strong passion for the game. He has high ambitions to become a football coach in the future and enjoys working with players to help shape their development and support them in reaching their potential.
Sam WIllocks (Sheffield)
Sam is an Assistant Coach at our Hillsborough Centre. He is currently a first-year Sport Business Management student at Sheffield Hallam University.
Sam has played football and tennis for most of his life and has previous experience coaching in both sports. He is also an FA-registered referee, giving him a strong understanding of the game and its rules. Sam enjoys supporting sessions and continuing to develop as a coach within a positive learning environment.
