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About Jon Collins
Jon Collins has been coaching and mentoring football players of all ages and abilities since 2004. As a technical skills coach, he has worked with some of the most exotic names in the history of the game including Pelé and Carlos Alberto Torres.
More than just a ball-juggler, Jon also specializes in motivating players to fulfil their potential and provides expert tuition in 'positional awareness coaching' - traditionally regarded one of the most challenging of all skills to master.
As the former Head Coach of the acclaimed Brazilian Soccer School in Birmingham, Jon is a qualified coach in the South American sport of Futebol de Salão. By intentionally avoiding the traditional English FA coaching courses and qualifications, he has instead immersed himself in the teachings and philosophies of innovative thinkers, top European coaches and World Champions.
"For the past 40 years the Football Association have caused little more than
continual harm to the English game, therefore it made more sense for me to look elsewhere for the best education in football coaching. By taking a non-conventional route I've had the privilege of meeting and working with the likes of Pelé, Carlos Alberto, staff from FC Shalke 04 and coaches from Barcelona's 'La Masia' Academy - undeniably the best youth development set-up in world football."
More than just a ball-juggler, Jon also specializes in motivating players to fulfil their potential and provides expert tuition in 'positional awareness coaching' - traditionally regarded one of the most challenging of all skills to master.
As the former Head Coach of the acclaimed Brazilian Soccer School in Birmingham, Jon is a qualified coach in the South American sport of Futebol de Salão. By intentionally avoiding the traditional English FA coaching courses and qualifications, he has instead immersed himself in the teachings and philosophies of innovative thinkers, top European coaches and World Champions.
"For the past 40 years the Football Association have caused little more than
continual harm to the English game, therefore it made more sense for me to look elsewhere for the best education in football coaching. By taking a non-conventional route I've had the privilege of meeting and working with the likes of Pelé, Carlos Alberto, staff from FC Shalke 04 and coaches from Barcelona's 'La Masia' Academy - undeniably the best youth development set-up in world football."
Jon delivered a technology-based tactical session on 'Game Vision and Awareness' and the effects were evident almost immediately with our players.
A forward thinking and knowledgeable coach, Jon sets the benchmark .
- Raj Boora, Head of the Roger Spry Academy
A forward thinking and knowledgeable coach, Jon sets the benchmark .
- Raj Boora, Head of the Roger Spry Academy
Coaching Experience
• 2005 - Launched Birmingham Brazilian Soccer Schools with assistance from the Brazilian World Cup Striker - Careca, who travelled from Sao Paulo to Birmingham to work with Jon's coaches and young players on shooting and fast-break attacking.
• 2005 - Attended the '05 International Confederation of Futebol de Salão Coaching Course.
• 2006 – Coached at the '2006 Kick Racism Out of Football Event'.
• 2006 - Provided coaching presentations and 'Ball Mastery' demonstrations to PE teachers and Midlands Football Coaches on behalf of Birmingham City Council.
• 2006 - Provided technical 'Skills Coaching' to West Bromwich Albion's Youth Academy.
• 2006 - Worked with World Cup winning captain, Carlos Alberto Torres in Leeds.
• 2007 - Worked with the great Pelé in Birmingham.
• 2007 - Worked with England Striker Peter Crouch and Sky Sports Presenter Jamie Redknapp at the UK Danone Cup Finals at Fulham FC's training ground in London.
• 2007 – Trained Academy winger Rico Henry and arranged trials for England’s Youth World Cup Team. Rico made the final squad and played in the Youth World Cup in Paris, reaching the quarter finals.
• 2007 - Filmed interview for BBC Sport, as they investigated the 'State of the National Game'.
• 2007 - Coached at the '2007 Kick Racism Out of Football Event'.
• 2007 - Conducted a ‘Technical Ball Skills’ session with World & European Freestyle Football Champion - John Farnworth.
• 2008 – Ran a 'Technical Ball Skills' session alongside the likes of Graham Taylor and Harry Redknapp at the Grass Football Roots Live '08 Show.
• 2008 - Provided technical 'Skills Coaching' to Leeds Uniteds U13's Academy Squad.
• 2009 – Gained Personal Safety Training Instructors Licence – teaching Self-defence to Police Forces in the London area.
• 2011 – Joined Reading FC Academy as Technical Skill Coach.
• 2011 - Spent a week observing the methodology and philosophy of Barcelona Academy Technical Coordinator - Enric Duran Diaz and his fellow FCB la masia coaches.
Professional Observations/Experience with European Football Clubs
FC Schalke 04 – Academy (Feb 2011)
Reading FC, Reserve Team Coach - Chris Cummins (October 2011)
Preston North End FC, Head Coach - Phil Brown & Bryan Horton (Dec 2011)
Derby County FC, Head Coach - Nigel Clough (January 2012)
FC Barcelona, Barca B - Carlos Hugo Garcia & Eusebio Sacristán (February 2012)
CF Real Madrid, RM Castilla - Miguel Fernandez (March 2012)
FC Porto, Pepijn Lijnders (April 2012)
Sporting Lisbon, Northern (Porto) Academy Coach - Miguel Moreira (April 2012)
Swansea City, Head Coach – Brendan Rogers (April 2012)
• 2005 - Launched Birmingham Brazilian Soccer Schools with assistance from the Brazilian World Cup Striker - Careca, who travelled from Sao Paulo to Birmingham to work with Jon's coaches and young players on shooting and fast-break attacking.
• 2005 - Attended the '05 International Confederation of Futebol de Salão Coaching Course.
• 2006 – Coached at the '2006 Kick Racism Out of Football Event'.
• 2006 - Provided coaching presentations and 'Ball Mastery' demonstrations to PE teachers and Midlands Football Coaches on behalf of Birmingham City Council.
• 2006 - Provided technical 'Skills Coaching' to West Bromwich Albion's Youth Academy.
• 2006 - Worked with World Cup winning captain, Carlos Alberto Torres in Leeds.
• 2007 - Worked with the great Pelé in Birmingham.
• 2007 - Worked with England Striker Peter Crouch and Sky Sports Presenter Jamie Redknapp at the UK Danone Cup Finals at Fulham FC's training ground in London.
• 2007 – Trained Academy winger Rico Henry and arranged trials for England’s Youth World Cup Team. Rico made the final squad and played in the Youth World Cup in Paris, reaching the quarter finals.
• 2007 - Filmed interview for BBC Sport, as they investigated the 'State of the National Game'.
• 2007 - Coached at the '2007 Kick Racism Out of Football Event'.
• 2007 - Conducted a ‘Technical Ball Skills’ session with World & European Freestyle Football Champion - John Farnworth.
• 2008 – Ran a 'Technical Ball Skills' session alongside the likes of Graham Taylor and Harry Redknapp at the Grass Football Roots Live '08 Show.
• 2008 - Provided technical 'Skills Coaching' to Leeds Uniteds U13's Academy Squad.
• 2009 – Gained Personal Safety Training Instructors Licence – teaching Self-defence to Police Forces in the London area.
• 2011 – Joined Reading FC Academy as Technical Skill Coach.
• 2011 - Spent a week observing the methodology and philosophy of Barcelona Academy Technical Coordinator - Enric Duran Diaz and his fellow FCB la masia coaches.
Professional Observations/Experience with European Football Clubs
FC Schalke 04 – Academy (Feb 2011)
Reading FC, Reserve Team Coach - Chris Cummins (October 2011)
Preston North End FC, Head Coach - Phil Brown & Bryan Horton (Dec 2011)
Derby County FC, Head Coach - Nigel Clough (January 2012)
FC Barcelona, Barca B - Carlos Hugo Garcia & Eusebio Sacristán (February 2012)
CF Real Madrid, RM Castilla - Miguel Fernandez (March 2012)
FC Porto, Pepijn Lijnders (April 2012)
Sporting Lisbon, Northern (Porto) Academy Coach - Miguel Moreira (April 2012)
Swansea City, Head Coach – Brendan Rogers (April 2012)
Area: West Midlands, UK
Email: skillcoach@live.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)79 58 58 58 08
Email: skillcoach@live.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)79 58 58 58 08
Jon Collins lives with his young family in the city of Worcester, West Midlands.
He coaches at Premier League side Reading FC and also trains Police Firearms Officers in the Greater London area.
He coaches at Premier League side Reading FC and also trains Police Firearms Officers in the Greater London area.
Testimonials
Ball Mastery Reaction & Awareness Training Technical Skill Development Player Analysis Positive Mental Attitude
"When I was young we did not have football schools. We played in the street, that was my school. But it is fantastic that today children have the option of being taught by coaches and are able to work on their technique. Jon's players have some wonderful skill!"
- Careca, Brazilian World Cup Striker visits Jon Collins at work.
- Careca, Brazilian World Cup Striker visits Jon Collins at work.
"I love the work that Jon is doing in Birmingham. Teaching the skills of Brazilians to his children will make them better players. It made our players special!
- Praise passed on to Jon from Carlos Alberto Torres whilst follow a week spent working together in 2006
- Praise passed on to Jon from Carlos Alberto Torres whilst follow a week spent working together in 2006
"To find children, on the other side of the world, training and playing as we did, makes me happy. Look at their faces, they play with joy and such skill and control...
...this is beautiful football."
- Pelé shows great enthusiasm about the work Jon Collins is doing with young players
...this is beautiful football."
- Pelé shows great enthusiasm about the work Jon Collins is doing with young players
"The response from Players, Parents and Coaches alike was extremely positive. With Jon's assistance we hope to be incorporating more technical skill coaching into our training."
- Dan Ashworth, Technical Director of West Bromwich Albion FC
- Dan Ashworth, Technical Director of West Bromwich Albion FC
"The children are exceptional - really fantastic. Looking back, a lot of them are way ahead of where I was at their age. Definitely stars in the making. It's great to see Jon guiding young footballers towards the skillful and technical side of the game."
- John Farnworth, World Freestyle Football Champion
- John Farnworth, World Freestyle Football Champion
"Watching Jon's players sent a shiver down my spine. It was just like watching Micheal Owen & Robbie Fowler back when they were youngsters with Liverpool's Academy. I couldn't take my eyes of them!"
- Jamie Redknapp, Sky Sports, Ex-Liverpool & England, at the Danone England Trials assessing two of Jon's students
- Jamie Redknapp, Sky Sports, Ex-Liverpool & England, at the Danone England Trials assessing two of Jon's students
Jon has developed and placed many young players from 5 to 16 years with professional academies. Grassroots football needs to embrace quality young coaches like Jon. I have no hesitation in recommending his outstanding standard of coaching to any young aspiring footballers wishing to advance to professional status.
- Chris Conway, Manchester United Talent Scout
- Chris Conway, Manchester United Talent Scout
I love the unique way that Jon develops his players, through him I have had the pleasure of taking several of them on to play for Aston Villa. It amazes me when I discover that only a few years before these lads had walked in off the street with no real experience!
- Paul Dodd, Aston Villa Scout
- Paul Dodd, Aston Villa Scout
