Our Coaches

Ross and Joanne

Franchise Owners

Joanne and Ross started their first classes in 2011 as they both had a passion for football and giving children a positive introduction to sport. Joanne and Ross have 2 children who both attended Little Kickers, their eldest is now 18 and a Lead Coach. Joanne and Ross both love watching live sport in particular Newcastle United. They have a cockapoo called Lola. 

Coach Simon

Operations Manager

Coach Simon has always been keenly interested in coaching, and holds qualifications for several different sports. He joined Little Kickers in 2011, while studying Sport and Exercise Science at University. Since then, he has become an important part of the management team, not only coaching the children in our sessions but also passing his knowledge and experience onto our brilliant team of coaches.

Coach Dale

Director of Coaching

Coach Dale is passionate about inspiring the next generation through the holistic development of children, helping them build confidence, a sense of belonging, and a love for the game. He began his coaching career in 2014, which has since taken him to the United States where he played at collegiate level while also working as an Academy Director and coaching with Liverpool’s International Academy. Since joining Little Kickers in 2025, Dale has become a key part of the leadership team, bringing energy, high standards, and a wealth of experience to the delivery of our sessions.

Chris Brew

Lead Coach and School and Nursery Account Manager

Coach Chris has a level 2 qualification in football coaching and has 15 years of coaching experience including 3 years in America working with football clubs such as LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders. He has been working with little kickers since 2016 helping young children build their confidence in a fun football environment, he has seen a number of children start their Little Kickers journey at 18 months and graduate at 8 years old which is so rewarding to see.

Hugh Otwinowski

Lead Coach

Coach Hugh has a L3 qualification in Coaching, has been with Little Kickers since 2025 and helps empower and build confident kickers throughout his classes across different ages. Coach Hugh is passionate about football and sports and wants to show our customers the importance of structured and guided adventurous activities in young people and the impact it has on growth and learning.

Coach James

Lead Coach

Coach James has been coaching Little Kickers since 2013 and loves helping children build confidence, learn new skills and most importantly have fun. Coach James loves seeing players improve and that is what makes coaching so rewarding. James loves everything football and is a big Newcastle United fan. Favourite LK Game – Robin Hood

Coach Josh

Lead Coach

Coach Josh has a Level 3 qualification in Sports Leadership and over 8 years of coaching experience across a variety of sports.

He joined Little Kickers in March 2023, and has since been helping introduce young children to football in a fun, engaging, and supportive environment.

Coach Josh is passionate about developing children’s confidence, teamwork, and love for sport while creating a safe and positive space for them to learn and grow.

Coach Jess

Lead Coach

Coach Jess has loved football from the second she could walk. She joined Little Kickers in 2019. Growing up she always wanted to be a football coach (or a Pokemon trainer)! Jess loves sport; football, formula one and NFL are her favouites. She loves building Lego and spending time with her nieces and nephews. Summer is her favourite season and she loves cheese… but she’s scared of ladybugs!