Meet Our Football Coaches in Leeds & Sheffield
Behind every THA Football Centres session is a passionate team committed to helping children develop their football skills, confidence and love of the game.
Our football coaches deliver structured weekly sessions for children aged 2–11 across Leeds and Sheffield, supporting players from their first experience of football through to more advanced stages of development.
Our team includes qualified football coaches, experienced coach developers, sports coaching graduates and aspiring coaches who are supported throughout their journey.
Every THA coach works within our structured curriculum, follows our monthly themes and receives ongoing support through our Coach Metrics system. This helps us provide a consistent, positive and high-quality experience across every THA Football Centre.
Meet the THA Football Centres Team
Our coaches bring different qualifications, experiences and personalities to THA, but they all share the same goal: creating an environment where every child feels supported, challenged and excited to attend.
Whether your child is building confidence in our Parent & Toddler sessions, developing their football foundations in KS1 or improving their game understanding in KS2, our coaching team adapts sessions to suit each age group and ability level.
Our THA Team
Simon Holmshaw (Leeds/Sheffield)
Simon Holmshaw is the Managing Director at THA. Simon has been a football coach/Manager for 18 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 & Sheffield Sites. Ethan is currently the Director of Football at Horsforth St. Margaret’s Womens Football Club and former First Team Manager in which time he oversaw two promotions. Ethan previously worked for 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 Sport 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 Sport 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. Joey 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 the Deputy Coaching Lead. In his role he oversees Coach Development, provides coach mentorship and runs CPD’s. Josh also coaches across multiple sessions as a Lead Coach.
He has a degree in Sport Coaching from Leeds Beckett University and is UEFA C qualified. He is currently the manager of Horsforth St Margaret’s Women’s Second Team.
Sean Nyamudandara (Leeds)
Sean is a Lead Coach at THA Football Centres in Leeds. Sean has coached for 8 years and holds a UEFA C Licence and a Degree in Sport Coaching. He is the current First Team Manager of Horsforth St Margaret’s Women’s and is a UEFA B Candidate.
Elliot Watson (Leeds)
Elliot is a Lead coach at our Horsforth & Pudsey football centres in Leeds. Elliot is a 3rd-year Sport Coaching student at Leeds Beckett University.
In addition to coaching at THA, Elliot is currently the Manager of Leeds Hyde Park Women’s First Team. Elliot is currently studying for his Level 1 Football Qualification.
Jay Richards (Leeds)
Jay is currently an assistant coach at our Horsforth & Pudsey football centres in Leeds. Jay is in the final stages of achieving his university degree in Sport Coaching and Physical Education with Leeds Trinity University.
In addition, Jay is also looking at completing his Level 1 Introduction to Football Coaching Course, with future ambitions of completing and achieving his UEFA C License.
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.
Jack Hunter (Leeds)
Jack is an Assistant Coach at our Horsforth & Pudsey Centres.
Jack stepped into coaching with The Savage Foundation where he gained experience with all age groups from 5-12 years. He has completed his Introduction to Football Coaching/FA Level 1
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)
Josh 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.
Developing Our Football Coaches
Coach development is a major part of the THA Football Centres philosophy.
Our coaches receive regular feedback, mentoring and development opportunities through the THA Coach Metrics system.
Rather than focusing only on football knowledge, we help coaches develop across areas including:
- Player engagement
- Session preparation
- Coaching behaviours
- Practice design
- Communication
- Player development
- Professional standards
- Reflection and learning
By investing in our coaches, we can continue improving the experience we provide for every child.
Interested in Joining the THA Coaching Team?
We are always interested in meeting enthusiastic people who want to develop as football coaches.
Whether you are an experienced coach, a university student or at the beginning of your coaching journey, THA provides mentoring, practical experience and opportunities to progress.
Meet Our Coaches at a THA Session
Our football sessions support children aged 2–11 across Leeds and Sheffield.
Book a paid trial session and meet the coaches helping children develop confidence, football skills and a lifelong enjoyment of the game.
