MAL SAVILLE
​Programme Director

• Mal has worked in the social service sector for over 30 years and has worked as a professional scout for numerous English League football clubs. He is presently working for Aston Villa FC, in the English Premier League.
• As Assistant Program Director, Mal is connected to all aspects of the programme, assisting in its oversight to ensure a positive student experience as well as the general welfare of students as they study, live, and play in the academy.
• ​Mal has been connected to the professional game for over 30 years as a scout for a wide range of football clubs across the English leagues including Brentford, Walsall, Cambridge, Leyton Orient. 

Dave Nichols
​Head of Academy

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• UEFA "B" Licence 
• ​​​Apprentice professional at Bradford City FC and Huddersfield Town FC
• Former academy player at semi professional club Gainsborough Town, England
• Extensive work as academy coach at Cadmatrai Academy, Middlesbrough FC, and Huddersfield Town FC, England 
• England Schoolboy International
• Coached in China and the USA as part of youth development programs 

Richard Lord
FIRST TEAM COACH

Richard MSci (Hons) in Sports Coaching Science at the University of Gloucestershire (Expected 2023). He is a former academy player at Farsley Celtic FC and played his senior football for Chepstow Town AFC in the Welsh League. He has a wealth of coaching experience across different age groups, including Chepstow Town AFC, Gloucester Athletic FC, securing promotion and league cup win in his first season as coach. Richard holds football Association coaching, sports performance and football analyst qualifications. 

AIMEE WATSON
​WOMEN'S HEAD COACH

• B.Sc in Sports Coaching 
• M.Sc in Strength and conditioning
• Uefa “B” licensed coach
• International player representing Wales. 
• Presently professional player with Cheltenham Town FC  

Aimee is an international player having represented Wales and has played in Uefa qualifiers and the women's super league. She is presently a professional player with Cheltenham Town FC having previously played for Swindon Town and Oxford United Aimee has also played for Bristol City in the women's super league. Aimee is presently the first team coach for the University of Gloucestershire women's team and works with the men's program at UDA.

Aaron Sainsbury
​Head of GK Coaching

• Full time Goalkeeper Academy Coach at Bristol City FC.
• Joined Bristol City in the U12 age group and played eight years with a two year scholarship and one year professional contract.
• Transitioned to a full-time goalkeeper coach at Bristol City at the age of 19 and currently playing semi-professional.
• Extensive experience training with top pro GK’s: Dan Bentley, Frank Fielding, Luke Steele, Niki Mäenpää, etc.
• Tutored under professional GK coaches David Coles, former premier league GK coach and English League Pro coach Pat Mountain.
• Played in international tournaments in Sweden, Denmark, Netherland, and Germany .

Liana Hyde
​student support officer

Liana holds a degree from Worcester University in outdoor recreation management. She has extensive traveling experience and is an avid outdoor enthusiast with qualifications in safety awareness. She is also a fitness instructor at the Oxstalls Campus at the University of Gloucestershire.

Liana will oversee the UDA student support system working closely with the coaching staff and the program director to ensure students are supported in their needs for living, playing and studying at the University as they move to successful graduation.

Residency and Visiting Coach Programme

The UDA UoG Academy will, over the course of the year, offer  training opportunities with visiting coaches from  the UK and collegiate and professional coaches from the USA.

This opportunity will provide greater exposure and development for students to help them reach their optimal potential.

Matthew Layton
Visiting coach

UEFA A Licence I FA Advanced Youth Award I BA Hons Sports Management I Higher Education Diploma Elite Coaching Practice I Current PhD Research - Effective Football Academy Processes

• 17 coaching experience in community sport and professional football
  
• 14 years experience working at elite level
• Business Management - 9 years experience as owner and Managing Director of Ltd company
  Founder of a registered charity.
  
• 7 years experience as Football Academy Operations Manager in elite sport.
  
• 8 years experience as a Senior Manager within a Category 1 academy.
  
• 4 years experience as Foundation Phase Coach.
  
• 10 years experience as Youth Development Phase Coach.
  
• 2 years experience as Lead Youth Development Phase Coach.
  
• 14 years experience in foundation and youth development phase academy football.
  
• ​14 years elite player development experience.

TOMMY TAYLOR
​visiting coach

​​   UEFA “A” Licence

• Former Manager at Cambridge United, Leyton Orient, Darlington, and Peterborough in the English Football League.
• Has played over 600 professional league games, West Ham United and Leyton Orient FC.
• Managed internationally at Kemi Kings (Finland), Floy (Norway), Grenada National Team, CD Torrevieja (Spain).
• Played for England U23 National Team.​​

Richard O'Kelly
visiting coach

• Former Uefa "A' licensed  coach
• Former Assistant Coach at Aston Villa AFC and Manager at Hereford Town AFC. 
• Over 280 professional games for a variety of football league clubs including, Walsall, Port Vale and Grimsby Town AFC