Sport Coaches and Academies Staff
Meet our team of sport coaches and academies staff.
Academies Team

Choisze
To
Finance and Business Coordinator
Choisze To
Finance and Business Coordinator
-Former Hong Kong international player
-International coach and team manager
-National Championship Gold medal winning coach
-Provides expert insight into Chinese training and elite performance
-Master Degree in Sports Management and Bachelor Degree in Business Administration
Coaches
American Football

Ben
Herod
Head Coach,American Football
Ben Herod
Head Coach - American Football- 20+ years coaching Junior Football
- Former FBU European All Stars HC
- Former GB Juniors and Team England Coach
- 2005 BAFCA Junior Coach of the Year
- Former Bristol Aztecs HC
- Former Aztecs Junior Team HC
- Former European Scout for Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Former GB Junior International Player
- National Champion with Bristol Aztec Juniors

Ashley
Hopkinson
Assistant CoachAmerican Football
Ashley Hopkinson
Assistant Coach - American FootballAsh is currently our Assistant Coach for American Football and works across the SGS Bristol Pride programme. Ash is currently studying for his Masters degree in Sport and Exercise Pscyhology and has previously studied and competed in American Football for Stirling University. Ash has represented Team GB internationally has a player before moving into coaching. Ash has been coaching American Football for the past five years and has been involved in the Team GB set up at U17 level.

Anthony
Fitzpatrick
Assistant CoachAmerican Football
Anthony Fitzpatrick
Assistant Coach - American FootballCoach Fitzpatrick started playing American Football in 1993 with the Luton Huskers junior team, moving on to play for the Hertfordshire Hurricanes when he attended University there. At Herts he was part of the team that won multiple national championships and played in the first BUCS All Stars game.
He moved into coaching with Herts in 2001 coaching numerous positives culminating in being OC from 2005, reaching two national finals and being victorious in one. During this time he also coached University All Stars at Running backs and Defensive Line.
In 2005 he was approached to join the coaching staff at the London Blitz. Part of a small coaching staff he worked to build the program, initially as running backs coach. In 2009 he moved to OL coach where he remained on and off until 2016. During his time with the Blitz the team won numerous national championship and in 2011 they were undefeated British National and European Champions.
In addition to coaching at University and Adult club level Coach Fitzpatrick has coached for Great Britain at U19 as Special Teams Coordinator, and as OL Coach at Adult level from 2011 to 2018 reaching European finals in 2011 and winning Europe Group B in 2016.
In 2017 Coach Fitzpatrick moved from London to the South West and joined the Pride Coaching Staff. Initially as Offensive Line coach he has seen a number of PrideOffensive Liine players move to semi professional contracts across Europe. In 2022 Coach Fitzpatrick has taken on the role of Offensive Coordinator as well as continuing to coach the Offensive Line winning the BCUS National Division One in an undefeated season in their first season in BUCS.
Coach Fitzpatrick has been coaching for more than 20 years, more than 13 of which has been as a specialist Offensive Line coach. Commited to continually improvong Coach Fitzpatrick has attended international coaching clkinics as well as having the opportunity to coach along side past NFL players. His impressive record demonstrates that he is clearly one the of the leading positional coaches in the UK/Europe.

Max Denning
CoachAmerican Football
Max Denning
Coach - American FootballPrior to coaching for the Pride, Max Denning coached high school football in the US at the highest level in the state of Oregon for four years. Most recently he coached linebackers and offensive lineman for Roosevelt High School in Portland, helping them win a league title in 2021. Denning has coached multiple all-conference and all-state players, many of whom went on to play in the NCAA.
Denning was also a coach for the Oregon Ravens in their inaugural season of the Women’s National Football Conference, the highest level of women’s tackle football in the US. Denning believes in the power of football to help athletes become the best version of themselves.
Athletics

Andrea
Garcia-Lock
Head Coach,Athletics
Andrea Garcia-Lock
Head Coach - AthleticsAndrea set up the Athletics Academy in 2010 where it has developed into a full Academy programme, coaching across all events and abilities from Novice to Elite. Andrea was the sole coach until 2014 where further development saw the addition of a second coach to enable specialist events to be catered for and a growth in athlete numbers. Specialist guest coaches in Throws and Jumps have also been added to the programme to cater for the range of athletes attending. Andrea also took on the running and development of our successful junior and UWE programme until 2017. The juniors are currently partnered with B&W AC which is an inclusive environment, encouraging all to develop general skills in Athletics, Agility, Balance and Coordination. Growing numbers from 15 to now over 60 participants from age 5-16.
Andrea is a level 2 Sprints Coach with added modules in Pole Vault, Jumps and Endurance. Andrea is also a qualified Run Leader and Children in Athletics coach. She has taken further courses in SAQ, England Athletics S&C, online sports nutrition course and attended various England Athletics CPD workshops and conferences in Sprints, Jumps and Throws. With 10 years of experience coaching across all age groups from 5-Adult. Andrea is also a qualified Assessor.
Andrea competed in English Schools Cross Country at U17 and in Senior Age Group has competed for Bristol & West across many events with her main specialism in 400, 400 Hurdles and Pole Vault. Andrea was assistant Team manager for B&W during their successful rise through the Midland League to the top of Division One, prior to their promotion in subsequent years to the UKWAL. Andrea is also a qualified Level 2 Track Judge and started training as a UKA Athletics Tutor.

Edward
Ellis-Cooper
Assistant CoachAthletics
Edward Ellis-Cooper
Assistant Coach - AthleticsEddie has an extensive background in Athletics as both an athlete and a coach. He initially joined SGS College as a community club coach in 2019 and has now stepped into the role of academy development coach & community club coordinator since October 2021. Eddie now oversees the growth and development of athletics at the college whilst developing partnerships with community-based clubs to help grow the sport of athletics in Bristol and Avon.
As an active athlete for 12 years, Eddie specialised in sprints & jumps when competing for his hometown club Oswestry Olympians, Shropshire, and the University of Birmingham, where he completed his undergraduate degree (BSc) in Sport, Physical Education & Coaching Science. He also holds a masters degree (MSc) in Sports Business, Management & Policy (Distinction) as well as a UKA Coaching License and Level 1 Field Official's License.
Eddie now coaches athletes ranging from age 5 to adults, coaching athletes in SGS's athletics academy, SGS juniors, University of West England and local schools. He also works with deaf athletes and para-athletes in close conjunction with Yate AC, whilst overseeing sessions conducted by Bristol & West AC, North Somerset AC and Thornbury Running Club, who all use the SGS track and field facility.
Basketball

Chris
Bourne
Head Coach,Basketball
Chris Bourne
Coach - BasketballBasketball Academy first team Head Coach. Head coach of Bristol Flyers Mens 2nd team and Assistant Coach for the Bristol Flyers BBL team. Many years of coaching experience including being head coach of the England U15 Boys programme.

Phil
Milbourne
Assistant Coach and DISE TutorBasketball
Phil Milbourne
Assistant Coach and DISE Tutor - BasketballPhil is the Basketball Academy first team assistant coach and second team coach. Alongside this, Phil is also Head coach of Bristol Flyers U16 Girls and has 10 years of coaching experience including Head Coach of South East U13 & U15 Aspire teams and assistant coach of Wales Men’s U16 & U23. Phil is a Basketball England Level 2 coaching qualification and currently run’s the DiSE Basketball program.

Shane
Walker
Assistant CoachBasketball
Shane Walker
Assistant Coach - BasketballShane is an assistant coach for the 1st and 2nd Team Basketball Academy. He is also head coach of the flyers U18 program. Shane plays for the Bristol Flyers and has played professionaly around the world for 10+ seasons. He attended University of Maryland before graduating from Loyola University of Maryland where he played division 1 basketball as a student-athlete. Shane is a Level 2 certified coach.
Boxing

Michael
Biggs
CoachBoxing
Michael
Biggs
Coach - Boxing
I am a Qualified Boxing Coach with England Boxing and an experienced amateur boxer with over 50 bouts and a Junior National Champion. Former Professional Boxer and Qualified L3 Personal Trainer with experience as a Men’s Physique Competitor.
Cricket

Luke
Sellers
Head CoachCricket
Luke Sellers
Head Coach - CricketAn ECB Level 3 coach, Luke has coached on the Gloucestershire Cricket performance pathway for more than a decade, working with both boys and girls county squads. His highlights include leading the Under 14 Boys to their highest ever finishes in the ECB Cup and working on the Girls Emerging Players Programme from its inception. Luke has also played a part in the development of a number of players who have gone on to earn professional contracts with Gloucestershire CCC. Luke is a former Minor Counties cricketer and also played for Gloucestershire 2nd XI. He is currently player/coach of Cheltenham CC in the West of England Premier League (WEPL). Having won promotion in 2018 he helped Cheltenham to their highest league finish in more than a decade in 2019. Luke has a Masters Degree in sports coaching and helps train, mentor and develop coaches in cricket and across other sports.
Football

David
Hockaday
Head Coach,Male Football
David Hockaday
Head Coach - Male FootballDavid played for 20 years as a professional footballer with over 650 senior appearances for Blackpool, Swindon Town, Hull City, Stoke City and Shrewsbury Town gaining 5 promotions. He then established the first ever Football Academy at Cirencester in 1995 winning 10 National Finals. David was then head hunted by Watford back into the pro game as their U18 Coach initially and then as the First Team Coach defeating Leeds Utd at the Millenium Stadium to gain promotion into the Premier League. David has also coached at Southampton, Coventry City, MK Dons as well as being Head Coach at Leeds Utd and Forest Green Rovers.
Last season the SGS Male Football team won 7 trophies including the 2 National College Finals. SGS have since had 6 players sign contracts with pro clubs.

Sam Naylor
Goalkeeper CoachMale Football
Sam Naylor
Goalkeeper Coach - Male FootballSam has exprienced academy football all through his youth representing Leeds Utd, York City academies and Coventry City as an U18 apprentice. Furthermore Sam went to play professional football in Sweden representing GIF Sundsvall. Sam has then gone on to begin a coaching career which started here at SGS studying a university course, BSc Sports coaching. Sam Currently coaches both male and female goalkeepers here at SGS and also coaches for Bristol Rovers academy externally.
Womens Football

Sophie
Morgan
Head Coach,Womens Football
Sophie Morgan
Head Coach - Womens FootballSophie has been coaching for a number of years within the Youth Development phase. Sophie has obtained her UEFA B Licence and FA Youth Award during her time. Sophie joined the College in June 2021 from Bristol Rovers where she played a big part in the development of the academy teams.
Football Development
Golf

Pete
Langford
Head Coach,Golf
Pete Langford
Head Coach - GolfPeter has over 20 years experience as a PGA Professional, coaching and mentoring close to 300 student golfers at the college golf academy, since its inception in 2002. He has developed the academy to what it is today, amongst the top golfing colleges in the country. His passion for golf has lead to opportunities within England Golf and he also starting the renowned Intercollegiate Tour. He has managed the England Schools boys team, and is still involved with Avon Schools Golf.
Married with two children, Peter’s other interests include cycling, running and inventing, with a number of projects in the pipeline – golf based and otherwise.

Kelvin
Aitken
Coach,Golf
Kelvin Aitken
Coach GolfKelvin has a wealth of experience both as a player and coach. He has been a qualified PGA level 3 coach for over 30 years and has been immersed in the world of golf since birth; his father is also a PGA professional.
His tournament experience includes playing on the European Tour, the highlight of which was qualification for the PGA Championships at Wentworth along with numerous successes on the West Region circuit. Lately Kelvin had back to back victories in the West Region PGA Seniors Championship.
However coaching is and has been the backbone of his career. Kelvin is a great believer in continual development and has attended many conferences and seminars, predominately based around coaching performance golf. He has now worked as a Coach for the increasingly successful SGS College Golf Academy for over 12 years and in his own words “enjoyed every minute”.
Netball

Lara
Gulotta
Head Coach,Netball
Lara Gulotta
Head Coach - NetballLara is a Level 2 Netball coach currently working towards her Level 3. Lara started out as Assistant Coach in the Academy whilst also teaching A Level and GCSE English at our Filton site. When the opportunity arose, Lara applied to be Head of Netball and was successful. She has since led the team to a league win and had players selected for the AOC National Netball team and Team Bath Futures.
Lara has developed her coaching skills further by working within the England Netball Performance Pathway and the Team Bath Futures Netball Hub that trains at the WISE Campus.
Lara is keen to develop all kinds of players and welcomes interest and applications from netballers of all levels.
Rugby

Danny
Williams
CoachRugby
Danny
Williams
CoachRugby
Former SGS College and Bristol Academy player, Danny Williams has been part of the Rugby Academy coaching staff for 13 years and has won numerous Local, National and International titles with SGS as a result of his hard work. Working predominantly in the development programme ensuring all players at SGS Rugby have a great experience whilst here and leave not only as better players but better people. Danny has coached at senior level around the Bristol Combination and at County Level and has good relationships with clubs and coaches around the South West.
“Having been through the SGS Rugby Pathway myself I know the hard work and dedication needed, I can relate in all aspects to what the current learners are experiencing and offer my help and support when needed.”

Dan
Cox
Director ofRugby
Dan
Cox
Director of Rugby
Currently a Level 3 coach and doctoral student (PhD) at the University of Edinburgh, Dan has extensive experience of coaching and coach development over the last 12 years. He has been a staff member at SGS College since 2013 as a coach and more recently a lecturer on the undergraduate sports degrees at our University Centre WISE. Dan has coached at various local rugby clubs, representative sides and is currently the Head Coach of Old Redcliffians in National 2, alongside this he has been involved with our partner Bristol Bears as an academy coach for 8 years.
Dan is not only extremely passionate about developing young people and supporting them to achieve their personal best, but rugby in the Bristol area. He commented: "SGS College Rugby has been successful in the last 20 years, however I feel we have not even scratched the surface yet. Bristol is a hotbed of rugby and as a college we want to be the pinnacle of that. We want to be internationally recognised for our approach to people development and the leading schoolboy rugby programme in the country
Womens Rugby

Matt
Belbin
Coach,Women's Rugby

Ellie
Mulhearn
Assistant CoachWomen's Rugby
Ellie Mulhearn
Assistant Coach, Women's RugbyEllie has been involved in rugby since the age of 9 and has progressed all the way through the rugby pathway! Throughout here career Ellie has gained club, regional and country representation. Ellie is currently playing for the Bristol Bears in the Allianz 15s. Ellie has been coaching now for a few years and love the fact that you can play apart in other peoples rugby journey and help develop them as players. Ellie is currently a level 2 coach looking to progress onto her level 3. Outside of SGS College Ellie also coaches North Bristol ladies.

Callum
Pitt
DISE TutorWomen's Rugby
Callum Pitt
DISE Tutor, Women's RugbyRugby has always been a passion of mine and I have wanted to work within the sport ever since I was young. I chose to chase a career since I left school, taking on a Btec in Sports Coaching, followed by a BSc in Rugby Coaching and Performance & MSc in Applied Sports Performance Analysis from University of South Wales and University of Worcester respectively. I have since worked amongst professional environments and universities (Bristol Bears, London Scottish RFC, Imperial College London, University of Bristol) and now am working alongside Matt Belbin as part of the coaching team for the Female Academy, looking to continue my development in performance coaching.
Table Tennis

Nick
Davidson
Head CoachTable Tennis
Nick Davidson
Head Coach - Table TennisNick Davidson (Head Coach of the Table Tennis Academy) has an experienced coaching and development career spanning over 20 years. He was the SW Regional coach of the Year in 2019 at the English Table Tennis pride Awards and the Table Tennis SW Coach at the AOC Championships since 2018. The former Gloucestershire County Junior Coach works with a number of England’s top cadets and juniors. He was also the Head Coach and Development Officer at Cheltenham Table Tennis Club when they won the South West Table Tennis Club of the Year and were awarded 3rd place in the National Premier Club Table Tennis awards.
Now full time at SGS College he is helping shape the development and careers of a number of players to allow them to reach their goals and full potential.
Sports Therapy

Craig
Barden
Clinical LeadSports Therapist
Craig Barden
Clinical Lead - Sports TherapistCraig has worked in the SGS injury clinic since 2010 when he graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation. Craig is the lead for the department ensuring that all students receive a good standard of care and treatment when seeking assistance from medical staff as well as keeping the department proactive in its prevention of injuries. Alongside his years of experience, Craig also has additional qualifications in immediate trauma care, acupuncture, Kinesio taping and manipulative techniques as well as recently becoming a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Outside of the academy, Craig currently works with the Bristol’s only professional basketball team, the Bristol Flyers, alongside completing a PhD in injury prevention in youth rugby at the University of Bath.

Lily Millard
Sports RehabiliatorLily Millard
Sports RehabiliatorLily joins the college having recently graduated from UWE Bristol with a degree in Sports Rehabilitation. Lily also has additional qualifications such as Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS), which is accredited by the RFU. As well was Sports massage, Sports Taping, Kinesiology taping and Medical Acupuncture. In addition to her work at SGS, Lily also works for Bristol Bears as a Sports therapist for the Under 18’s Academy. She has also previously worked with Bristol City Women’s academy, Bath Rugby, Somerset County Cricket Club, Western Storm, Bedminster Cricket Club and England LX Hockey.

Tom Riddell
Sports RehabiliatorTom Riddell
Sports RehabiliatorTom has a degree in Sport Rehabilitation and is a BASRaT registered therapist. He works in private clinical practices as well as working with Nailsea & Tickenham FC. He has now joined the sports academy team supporting the student athletes in their injury management. Tom will primarily use tailored exercise programs, but also some manual therapy techniques, to help facilitate better movement, reduce pain and, help people return to their activity stronger than they were before. Outside of work, Tom plays two instruments with a band as well as keeping fit with his main sport of swimming.
Strength and Conditioning

Jack
Davies
S&C coach
Jack
Davies
S&C coach
I have a masters degree in strength and conditioning and have accrued 10 years experience in the field of strength and conditioning, working with a range of sports, across youth and senior level. High performance experience includes Bristol RFC academy, Pontypool RFC and Team Bath Netball Academy. My hobbies include rugby, tennis and golf.

Will Crowfoot
Strength and Conditioning CoachWill Crowfoot
Strength and Conditioning CoachWill started working at the college in 2018 but he is also an ex-student attending the college from 2010-2012 where he studied a Level 3 BTEC in Sports performance and excellence and was a member of the American Football academy. After graduating from SGS, Will spent 6 months in Canada at a Prep school playing against some top high schools in America before coming back to study at Cardiff Metropolitan University where he graduated with a BCs (Hons) degree in Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage. Whilst completing his degree he also interned with the Cardiff Met performance sports teams during his third year and gained experience within multiple sports.
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