ASM - Key Persons
I first got into sport whilst at school and represented East Bergholt Primary school in the cross country finishing 10th at the Royal Hospital School race. I also played for the football and cricket team. At high school, I was in the year 11 football team which played in the Suffolk Schools Cup semi-finals, only to be beaten in extra time to the eventual winners. I also had suffolk rugby trials and eastern counties trials. In the final year we went on tour Spain and had the great experience of training with current professionals. I then went on to study at Colchester Institute, in sports management and operations, obtaining a national leaders award and a national higher sports leader award plus other qualifications as shown below. I also played for Ipswich Town development youth team at the ages of 9 and 10 and local side East Bergholt United until the age of 15. I played for Brantham Athletic under 18's for two seasons and was scouted to play for Braintree Town FC but currently I'm back playing for Brantham.
I'm currently the under 18's joint manager at Brantham Athletic, and I've previously worked with Steve Foley ex-Ipswich first team coach, Keith Rowland ex- Northan Ireland international, and Alan Devonshire ex-England international.
I first got into sport at school and represented St Andrews Primary School playing hockey, rounders and netball in local tournaments between schools. I then attended Tendering
Technology College to study rugby and athletics and during this time I reached county level for Essex in shot-put.
My rugby progressed and I played for a club plus county rugby for Suffolk and then onto Eastern Counties and eventually I got into the Northampton Saints Academy playing from under 12's. I had a trial for the England U16's but unfortunately at this time l snapped a ligament in my thumb and had to have an operation but it snapped again two weeks after the cast came off. I did manage to train with the Northampton Saints first team which was really inspirational. I left school and have been lucky enough to secure this apprenticeship which I'm really enjoying.
Clare's role is to work closely with the schools to ensure everything runs smoothly and for the parents of children on our holiday activities, she will be the friendly face you get to know well.
Bergholt Football Club playing for the under 8's team and I progressed through the age groups all the way up to playing first team football. I also coach the under 10's team at Brantham Athletic Football Club which is a role. I've really enjoyed and it has improved me as a coach massively.
Another sporting interest of mine growing up was cricket and when I was 5 years old I joined Wivenhoe Town Cricket Club where I stayed for 2 years playing Kwik Cricket. I also played for Mistley Cricket Club where I was introduced to hard ball cricket and then East Bergholt Cricket Club. I started playing in the under 11's team and we did very well as a team. Seven years on from joining East Bergholt Cricket Club as an 11 year old, I now open the batting for the first team and I am the Vice Captain. I also played county cricket for Suffolk in the under 13's,14's 15's and 16's which I am very proud of.
I first started playing sport at a very young age and represented my School at Football as well as Rugby. I attended Hedingham Sixth Form in the first year of a partnership with Halstead Town Football Club to create a Footballing Academy. At the Academy we played in the National Football Academy League,and just missed out on being league champions. During my time at the Academy I was club Captain and my claim to fame is scoring against Luton Town FC from the halfway line.
My footballing career started at Valley Green FC at U8 in Witham and then at U14 I started playing for Witham Town FC Eastern Junior Alliance Team, where we had success at U16 finishing runners up in the league. At this point Halstead Town FC approached me to join their senior teams, where I became a permanent fixture in the first team.
I joined Brantham Athletic FC early in the season 2012/13 following an approach from the then manager Tony Hall, leaving Maldon Town FC, who I had joined in the pre-season of 2012/13.
From leaving the Academy in June 2012 I then returned to it in September 2012 as a Coach working for the Academy, becoming the first student to return as a coach. Also, whilst working for the Academy I also worked for Witham Karting as an Instructor.
Nicki brings over 30 years of sales and marketing experience to the business, with 20 years spent specifically promoting sport, activity and health.
I have participated in sport since the age of 5, getting school colours in Football and Cricket. At 14 I was spotted by Colchester United and played for them until the age of 17. Having joined Brantham Athletic, I broke my leg at the age of 19 and wasn't able to play football for 18 months. When I started playing again I joined Felixstowe Town, also having spells at BS Fonnereau, Little Oakley, Ransomes and Brantham again. Unfortunately I broke my leg again at the age of 25, when I retired from playing and gained my first coaching badge.
For the last 7 years I have been coaching sports in schools, a job I enjoy immensely, and for the last two years as Head Coach of ASM. Our aim is to integrate children of all ages and abilities in sport, in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Qualifications:
Level 3 Football,
Level 2 Dodgeball,
Level 2 Cycling,
Level 1 Basketball,
Level 1 Hockey
Level 1 Gymnastics,
Community Tag Rugby,
Street Cricket
NVQ level 3
Sport has always played a big part of my life, I have been training in Karate since the age of 7 and at 16 I was first selected to represent the national England Karate team, I continued to represent my country gaining a Bronze Medal at the European Karate Championships in 2013. Unfortunately late last year I tore my ACL and had to have surgery which took me out of competing. However during that time of recovery I began to spend more time teaching Karate classes to children age 4-16, and found it incredibly rewarding seeing improvements & the passion to train amongst the students. I went to school at St Josephs College where I was part of the cross country team & came 7th in Suffolk. I also took part in Dance as both a GCSE and performing in productions with Dance East. I then continued my studies in Dance at A Level, where I was choreographing & producing my own pieces.
I studied Sport & Exercise Science for 2 years at the University of Northampton gaining a Certificate of Higher Education, including modules in Psychology, Biomechanics, Physiology, Molecular Nutrition and Sports coaching. I very much enjoy working with young people and I believe each individual is talented no matter what their ability. I very much look forward to helping pupils enjoy and reach their own potentials within sport.
Sport has been a big part of my life ever since a young age! I love playing any sport but my main passion is football as I've been playing it for many years. I started my football career at Lawford where I progressed as a player until I was 14, when I then moved to the club I am currently at now, Brantham Athletic. At 15 I also spent a year at Colchester United Academy.
I went to Manningtree High School where I learnt to play and get involved with sports I didn't think I would like, for example badminton which I had a natural talent for and progressed to the Essex County Championship and won. I am now hoping to get my Level 1 coaching in badminton as well. High school made me realise that I waned to get into a job involving sport so I went to Colchester Institute where I completed a BTEC Level 2 in sport with distinction, which allowed me to then study for my coaching badges. My final year of college allowed me to be the coach I am today teaching me all about how primary schools work and ways of teaching different types of children to get the best out of them. I also got my Level 1 in football through the college and am also looking to do my Level 2 soon. After college, I joined ASM on an apprenticeship and I'm loving it.
I first started playing sport and realised I loved it at a young age when I was at Bradfield Primary School. I mostly played football, rugby and squash. I played for Lawford Juniors football team and I represented Ardleigh Squash Team too. I was U11's Essex county champion in squash and finished 3rd in the U14's playing against boys three years older than me. My passion for football grew and I stated to play less squash especially when I joined Brantham Athletic Football Club when I was 13.
I am still currently playing for Brantham and enjoying every moment of it. After High school I went to college to complete a Level Two sports course which I passed. During the course I really enjoyed the coaching side of it which inspired me to pursue a career in coaching. Now after doing my first year as an apprentice at ASM I have really enjoyed working and coaching young people and I get a lot of satisfaction seeing them having fun and learning.