Academy Staff - University Degree Soccer Development

Jon Whitney

M.A in Football Rehabilitation
UEFA “A” Licence

Former Football League Manager at Walsall FC 2016-2018
Former Professional Player at Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City, Hull City with over 200 Professional league appearances 1993 -2001
CEO of The Fast Zone, Sports Performance
Human Performance Expert

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

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.

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

Full time Goalkeeper Academy Coach at Bristol City FC
Joined Bristol City in the u12 age group and played 8 years with a 2-year scholarship and 1 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 Sweden, Denmark, Netherland, Germany

B.A at Newcastle University
Paul is a graduate of Newcastle University who has lived and worked in Gloucester for the past 25 years and has a wide-ranging knowledge of both the City and the wider region.
Paul has a wide variety of skills that have involved working with people from various backgrounds including supervising, appraising staff, and liaising with a broad range of service users.
Paul will work closely with the Assistant Program Director to ensure students' welfare and maintain UDA academic policies as well as overall procedures for a productive and fulfilling student experience as they work towards graduation.