BALL MASTERY / MANIPULATION
One player, one ball, high repetition exercises using all parts of both feet equally that not only provide the obvious technical “ball feeling” benefits but also the development of co- ordination, balance and flexibility.
Founded by Martin Devaney, Jimmy Whitehead and Craig Goodyear, our aim is to improve player’s football skills through play and bridge that gap between the professional football academies and local grassroots football through our extensive and varied range of weekly and 1:1 sessions, designed to nurture and develop young players, allowing them to excel. We also provide coaching for groups up to 12-14 players per coach.
Our Academy provides sessions for players of all abilities in a pressure free environment, aged 4-16, whether they are just starting out on their football journey or already have football experience; we can cater for all.
At Momentous we will strive to get the basics right and our belief is that individual skill is the foundation from which we will build all the other parts of the game around. Typically, those basics are:-
One player, one ball, high repetition exercises using all parts of both feet equally that not only provide the obvious technical “ball feeling” benefits but also the development of co- ordination, balance and flexibility.
Training exercises that develop football specific speed and agility with and without the ball.
Exercises and games to improve and embed a good 1st touch and to execute accurate and creative passing in attacking and defensive situations.
Exercises and games that focus on 1v1 and 2v2 game situations.
Exercises and games that improve technique and encourage instinctive play around the goal.
Free and conditioned games that improve small group play with emphasis on combination play, fast break counter attacks and transition play.
Coach Jimmy Whitehead delivering a 1:3 coaching session with Barnsley Football Club Academy Players Harris, Isaac & Owen.
It’s great to help these talented young players in their football education and see them having so much joy playing in the game.
Our Academy provides sessions for players of all abilities in a pressure free environment, aged 4-16, whether they are just starting out on their football journey or already have football experience; we can cater for all.
If you would like to have a session like this then contact us to book.
"Both my son and daughter have been receiving coaching from the Momentous team and I could not recommend the quality and standard of the academy more."
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Katie Cartwright
"The training given is always creative, challenging and pushes him to think and react. We love the honest feedback and attention to detail that is brought to every session."
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Tom Williams
"I would highly recommend Momentous Football Academy. The coaching they provide is high intensity, high quality and very enjoyable."
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Brett Renshaw
"Cant sing these guys praises enough, absolute top coaches. Anyone looking for some extra coaching hit them up you wont go wrong"
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Ryan Yates
"Been amazing with my son Danny, he had no confidence to start with but they’ve really made him shine and his confidence is at a high! Would highly recommend"
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Stacey Goodfellow
"Jack has only been attending the 1-2-1 goal keeper sessions for about a month but he loves it and looks forward to coming each week! his coach is so good with him, he's already learning new skills and techniques"
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Lyndsey Evans
"My son has only been attending a couple of months but since attending his confidence has boosted and his skills have developed loads , he really enjoys the relaxed structured environment but very informative too ! He’s learning so much more mentally as well as his fitness improving I can’t ever imagine him training anywhere else big thanks to jimmy and the team at momentous for your outstanding work you do with all the kids that attend !"
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Dot Cowdell
"I can not talk about Momentous highly enough. Jimmy, Craig and Martin are just so dedicated, inspirational and full of wisdom in their coaching. They really build confidence and teach what’s important; passing, fast footwork, teamwork and hard work. My son has come on leaps and bounds since joining Momentous in his confidence and skills. We are lucky to have such an amazing facility on our doorstep! If you are thinking about it…. Just do it"
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Jill Moxon
"My lad Zac has been coming to Momentous for over 12 months. The time and effort the coaches put in is second to none. Always encouraging every player. Zac has had various 1-2-1 sessions with different coaches at Momentous predominantly with Alex who has got to know Zac inside out and knows exactly how to get the best out of him. Zac had a dreadful time initially at grassroots having the confidence knocked out of him big time. After speaking to Jimmy about it he is a different lad now confident on the ball, brilliant footwork and generally more confident in every aspect. We cant speak highly enough of you all at Momentous, keep up the fantastic work."
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Ben Jones
A driven and greatly skilled football coach who has made the successful transition from a professional football player at the highest level for 18 years to the Head of Coaching / Senior U’23 professional coach at Barnsley FC. I have successfully guided multiple players from the Academy to the first team, making their senior debuts in League one and the Championship.
I can demonstrate exceptional communication, teamwork and leadership skills in the delivery of an engaging and mostly importantly a fun coaching programme for Momentous Football Academy. I will be able to apply personal experiences in the game to create a positive learning environment that also encourages players ownership, hard work, tactical awareness and a consistently competitive approach to the game.
FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE:-
An ex-professional footballer who has played 500 league games, playing at the following clubs:-
• Coventry City – Premier League
• Cheltenham Town FC – League 1 / 2
• Watford FC – Championship
• Barnsley FC – Championship / League 1
• Tranmere Rovers – League 1
FOOTBALL LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:-
A wide array of football coaching qualifications including:-
Advanced Youth Award
The Football Association
Youth award modules 1-3
The Football Association
Futsal
The Football Association
A licence
UEFA
B - licence
UEFA
Pro licence (working towards)
UEFA
Enthusiastic, hardworking and dedicated football coach working with players aged 5 – 18+, Jimmy has helped guide players from grassroots into district schoolboy teams and professional academies as not only a coach but also as scout with professional clubs such as Barnsley FC and Sheffield United FC.
Training sessions are always high energy, and very engaging while ensuring all players have fun and enjoy their football. He always shows excellent communication & leadership skills with a passion for promoting the importance of players working within a team environment.
As a former semi-professional footballer with Worsbrough Bridge, Jimmy is now the Head Coach of their U21s team; his other coaching roles in football also sees him as First Team Manager/Head Coach at Houghton Main, Head Coach of Barnsley FC Shadow Scholars U17s and Barnsley Schools Football Association U13s, while coaching in the Barnsley FC development centre for ages U7-U11s, this show his ability to coach players of all ages and abilities.
FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE:-
• Semi-professional – Worsbrough Bridge
• Coaching – Barnsley FC Development U7-U11s, Barnsley FC Shadow Scholars U17s Head Coach, Barnsley Schools Football Association U11s, U12s & U13s, Head Coach Worsbrough Bridge U21s Head Coach
FOOTBALL LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:-
• Level 1 & Level 2 Coaching Award
The Football Association
B – licence – working towards
UEFA
• Safeguarding Level 1 & 2
• Football 1st AID
• Talent ID Level 1 & 2 in Football Scouting
A highly motivated, enthusiastic, bright young coach with a passion for helping players maximise their potential.
Ensuring that the players are always engaged with a smile on their face Craig will provide high tempo varied sessions to all age groups to enable maximum engagement.
Having worked with primarily 6-15-year olds alongside Momentous Coach Jimmy Whitehead he has helped coach and progress numerous players into Academies at Professional Football Clubs by developing the individual to thrive in a team environment.
FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE:-
• Professional - Barnsley FC Academy Player, Barnsley FC Professional, Port Vale FC
• Semi-Professional - Worksop, Frickley, Ossett Albion, Pontefract, Worsborough Bridge
• Coaching Barnsley Sports Academy - U7,8,9,10’s, Barnsley Schools Football Association U11, 12,& 13’s
FOOTBALL LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:-
• Level 1 & Level 2 Coaching Award
The Football Association
B – licence – working towards
UEFA
• Safeguarding
• Football 1st AID
• Talent ID Level 1 in Football Scouting
After having to call time on his football career due to a reoccurring knee injury, Dean decided he couldn’t walk away from the game he loved that easily, so decided to do his coaching badges.
Dean brings to his sessions the same kind of attitude he gave in his playing days, hard working and enthusiastic, but most importantly a huge smile.
As a coach, Dean along with fellow coach Jimmy have helped guide players from grassroots into district school boy teams and into professional academies.
Dean’s sessions are always fun while maintaining the focus and determination needed to improve players.
As former semi professional footballer with the likes of Worsbrough Bridge, Athersley Rec and Pontefract, Dean also decided to try his hand at coaching at semi professional level where he is currently the first team coach of Houghton Main FC who play in the county senior premier division.
He is also part of the Barnsley school boys coaching staff that oversaw the under 11’s reach the national finals, finishing 5th out of 292.
Football experience
Coaching
A young coach full of energy and enthusiasm wanting to bring his ideas, lessons and set backs to help other young players with to potential to develop and take their game to the next level. My sessions are usually tailored to been unique, modern and at high intensity but also keeping them fun and enjoyable at the same time. My love for fitness and all sports especially goalkeeping means these sessions will also help the keepers be more physically powerful athletes as well.
Football Experience:
• Barnsley shadow scholars
• Peterborough under 18 league winner 2020/21
• Semi professional keeper at Athersley REC
Coaching Qualifications:
• Level 3 extended diploma in sport (development, coaching and fitness)
Alex is an Australian born lad who moved away from his home town, Sydney Australia to achieve his goal of playing professional football. Over they 7 years in the UK he has had many experiences playing and coaching that has shaped the athlete and coach he is today.
Alex brings to his sessions the same amount of enthusiasm and energy that he brings when his on the pitch. Sessions that replicate situations that will occur in a game, to achieve results and improvements on the pitch. The fundamentals.
As a coach, I get my pride and a sense of achievement when I see the players firstly enjoying the sessions. Seeing success away from momentous football academy and in their chosen teams, as well developing and progressing in the sessions.
Alex’s sessions are always intense, specific and enjoyable. It is very important that as a coach we can get a mix between hard work and enjoyment.
As a current footballer Alex fills his free time with as much coaching as possible and this has been the case over the entirety of his time in the UK, his enjoyment on the field mirrors his love the coaching side of the game.
Over the years his had many valuable experiences in all fields off the coaching world. From working with Manchester United’s Power development coach Mick Clegg too coaching Rochdale’s AFC scholars. Each experience has shaped the coach he is today as he looks to improve all the time.
Coaching experiences:
• S&C coaching at the seed of speed gym with professional athletes under the watch of Mick Clegg
• Rochdale AFC Scholars (16-18)
• Barnsley Shadow Scholarship academy
Playing Experience:
• National football youth league All-Star member
• Rochdale AFC
• Rochdale / Hyde United academy scholar
• Hyde United
• Brighouse town
• Stockbridge Park steels
• Barnsley shadow scholarship u23’s
