STEVE LILLEY
Program Director for UDA UOG

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Steve Lilley brings a wealth of experience in elite player and coach development, having worked extensively with the English Football Association as a coach educator. Holding a UEFA A License, he has spent his career shaping both players and coaches at the highest levels of the game.

Steve has dedicated his career to developing footballers and mentoring coaches, holding key leadership roles in professional academies and national coaching organizations, including:

• FA Talent Reporter for the Female Game (2021 – Present)
• FA Women’s High-Performance Centre Coach Developer (2022 – 2025)
• Director of e-CAN 
• Head of Academy Coaching at Bristol City FC (2020 – 2022)
• FA County Coach Developer (2015 – 2020)

Through these roles, Steve has been instrumental in mentoring aspiring coaches, designing elite training programs, and supporting both men’s and women’s football development at the highest levels.

​Click here to view announcement.

Ryan Davies
HEAD OF FOOTBALL​

• UEFA B licensed coach with a B.SC in Sports Coaching.
  • Studied Football Coaching and Performance
• Has undertaken various roles, including Talent Identification Scout and Head of Development Centre, as part of his coaching duties.
• Before joining Cardiff City, Ryan worked at Merthyr Town Football Club, serving as their Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football and Women’s First Team Manager, where he oversaw all aspects of the women’s and girls’ program.
• Responsible for the men's team in the Herefordshire and Hellenic League.
• Offers individual small group sessions for players looking to improve their technical abilities.

TOM SHARPE
HEAD OF MEN'S ACADEMY

• Former professional player at West Bromwich Albion
  
• ​UEFA-qualified coach and will have completed his UEFA B license by the summer of 2024. 
• Injury cut Tom's professional career short, and he now focuses on a professional coaching career.
• He will be responsible for working with Ryan on the UDA men's team in the Herefordshire and Hellinic leagues.

Aneaka Reay-Kemp
Head of Women's Academy

• Brings leadership experience from coaching with the British Army Women’s Senior Squad.
  
• Selected for the prestigious Powerhouse Project (supported by the English FA and Nike) for outstanding coaching potential.
  
• Currently completing her UEFA B Licence.
  
• Known for her discipline, tactical insight, and commitment to developing players on and off the field.
  
• Passionate about helping student-athletes unlock their full potential through education and sport.
  

Dave Cornock
​Academy Coach

• Experienced coach with success in Gloucestershire senior leagues and cup competitions.
• Recognized for developing young players and helping them transition into the senior game.
• Highly regarded for his energy, tactical knowledge, and player-first approach.
• Currently completing his UEFA B Licence.
• Passionate about inspiring student-athletes to reach their full potential on and off the field.

PATRICK WILLIAMS
PLAYER AGENT

Strength, Conditioning, Injury and Rehab

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CHLOE BAKEWELL-BArratt
​student WELFARE

FRAZER LINNITT
​student WELFARE

PLAYER WelfarE & STUDENT SUPPORT

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CHLOE BAKEWELL-BArratt
​student WELFARE

DR. Scott Johnson
​HEAD OF SPARC

• Education:
  
  • Ph.D. in Management and Marketing – Arizona State University, USA
    
  • MBA in International Business – University of San Francisco, USA
    
  • BS in Business Administration (Marketing) – California State University, Fresno, USA
    
• Role at UDA:
  
  • Leads the UDA SPARC Program, preparing student-athletes for life and career success
    
  • Provides personalized career coaching, internship support, and professional development
    
• Career Highlights:
  
  • 30+ years of experience in the U.S. and U.K. as a marketing executive, professor, and business school dean
    
  • Former faculty at the University of Greenwich, London:
    
    • Designed leadership and career development programs
      
    • Built employer partnerships (e.g., London 2012 Olympics Organizing Committee)
      
    • Ran assessment centers with Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK and Towergate Insurance
      
• Coaching & Mentorship:
  
  • Advised and mentored hundreds of students across academic and professional paths
    
  • Specializes in leveraging student strengths and real-world career readiness
    
• Recognition:
  
  • Awarded Best Professional Development Workshop by the European Council for Small Business (2017 – Cork Institute of Technology, Ireland)
    

BRIAN HIGGS
​student support officer & Minibus Driver

​Brian Higgs has been a dedicated minibus driver for UDA for the past year, forging strong connections with students. Recognizing his rapport, he naturally transitioned into the role of student support within the UOG UDA organization. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Brian played football until 18 and then rugby from 23, even coaching kids for a decade. Born in Cheltenham, he knows the area well and enjoys riding his vintage motorbikes to local charity meets. Brian also has two Labernese dogs, a breed known for their gentle nature.

DR. Brian HAley
Academic, Recruitment, and Application Advisor

Email: [email protected]

Brian is a former professional college coach in the U.S. for 26 years after moving from England. He played professional soccer in the American Soccer League for the Cleveland Cobras and for a number of semi-professional teams in the UK. 

Brian also founded and developed the world's first program for the serious American soccer players between the critical development years of 18 to 21 to be given a wider opportunity for development than is presently available in the United States.

Brian holds a Doctorate in Education as well as the Premier Coaching License from the National Soccer Coaching Association of America.

He works closely with the UDA Soccer Program Director and the Head of Recruitment in the USA, to ensure the student experience is one of quality and provides the right opportunity for players and meets their expectations.

Jay Sparrow
National Recruitment Coordinator

Jay will be attending several showcase events around the country. If you are attending any showcase events please contact:
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[email protected]
(210) 219 7278

Jay, originally from England moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2003. He has a passion for helping student athletes reach their academic and soccer goals. 
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He is experienced in talent identification and player development. He has identified, selected and provided opportunities for many students seeking an international studying and playing experience. 

Jay ran and developed a successful soccer organization in the USA and now has taken his skills to player identification for UDA across the USA. ​

BRENTON DAWSON
Director of Women's Soccer Recruitment

B.Sc Capital University, Ohio
M.Ed Heidelberg University, Ohio
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​Brenton Dawson heads national recruitment on the women’s side. Dawson brings a wealth of knowledge from past experiences having worked with all NCAA levels, the NPSL, multiple youth clubs across the country and having studied and played in Europe.

Coach Dawson most recently assisted at Daytona State College Women’s program reaching the Region 8 finals this past year. Prior to coaching at DSC, Dawson assisted at Lynn University for two seasons where he helped the Fighting Knights to the Final Four in the fall of 2019 after being crowned both SSC regular season and tournament champions. The staff also received the Regional Coaching staff of the year award that year. 

Dawson has also worked at NCAA Division III programs, Wittenberg and Heidlelberg in Ohio where he helped lead the Witt Tigers to a National ranking of 5th and the Berg Student Princes to their first OAC championship. Dawson has also been active in the Club soccer coaching at some of the nation's top premier clubs in multiple states across the country.

Prospects wanting to learn more about the UDA Women's Program at the University of Gloucestershire program should contact Coach Dawson directly at [email protected] or call (937) 206 -3452.

​Ian Scott
​Regional Recruiter

​Since moving to Indiana, Ian has served as Technical Director with Westfield Select S.C., Academy Director at ZYSA, and is now the Boys Director of Staff & Player Development.

He was named Indiana’s Boys Director of Coaching in 2016/17 and has led teams to regional and national finals, including the 2002 ZYSA Boys who finished runners-up at the 2019 National Final.

Originally from England, Ian played professionally with Manchester City, Stoke City, and Bury, and was part of Man City’s FA Youth Cup–winning squad. His coaching background includes academy roles with Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers, as well as serving as an FA youth educator.
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Ian holds a USSF National B License, UEFA B License, and FA Youth Module 3 certification.

Justin Dvorak
​Regional Recruiter

Justin is a University of Chester graduate and former UDA player, where he studied Biology and Conservation Genetics. A standout at SA United in San Antonio and a three-time TASCO All-Region honoree, he went on to lead UDA Chester in goals and assists, earning a trial with Welsh Premier side Connah’s Quay Nomads.
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Passionate about sharing his UDA and UK experiences, Justin helps student-athletes navigate the challenges of studying abroad while creating opportunities for them to showcase their talents.