Dave Nichols
​DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

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​Dave is a UEFA-B licensed coach who has played professionally at Huddersfield Town and Bradford City. He has also coached with the Huddersfield Town Professional Academy structure and Internationally in China and the USA.

David represented his city and county, played for England schoolboys, and represented Huddersfield Town against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Youth Cup final at Wembley. 

Dave will oversee the UDA playing experience and development for both the men and women and work with the coaches on delivery for the UDA men and women.

Ryan Davies
MEN'S HEAD COACH ​

• 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.

Chris Hill
WOMEN'S HEAD COACH​

Chris Hill is a UEFA B licensed coach and the head coach of the Gloucester City Women's Team. He has worked across all age levels in both women's and men's games. ​

Chris will be responsible for coaching the UDA women within the Gloucester City AFC team and will work as part of the UDA coaching team. 

TOM SHARPE
COaching staff

• 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.

Jonny Evans
​​​PERFORMANCE SUPPORT STAFF - PHYSIO

• Qualified in Sports Massage Therapy
• City and Guilds Diploma in Weight Loss Management (Future Fit Training)
• Certificate in Nutrition for Sport and Exercise
• Certificates in Treatment and Management of Injuries in Football
• Experience includes Newport County AFC, Hereford United, Westfields FC, Hereford FC, Cirencester Town, Yate Town, and Gloucester City AFC.

Kate Ambrey
​​PERFORMANCE SUPPORT STAFF - SPORTS MASSEUSE

• BSc (Hons) in Strength, Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage
• Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage
• Level 3 Certificate in Soft Tissue Therapy

​HATTIE AUBIN 
​PERFORMANCE SUPPORT STAFF - SPORTS NUTRITIONIST

• MSc in Applied Sports and Exercise Nutrition
  BSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition
• Previous Experience includes Bristol Bears, Xyla, Gloucester City 
• Hattie will deliver selected sessions throughout the season on sports diet and nutrition for the best performance.
  

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. 

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
​Executive Director

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.