THE TEAM

Academy Staff Profiles

Ash Rahman
Academy Director
At the age of just 16-years-old, Ash set his sights on tackling the lack of opportunity available for gifted young footballers to make an impact within the professional game.

He came up with an idea of launching a school of excellence, a centre where the most promising players could fine tune their talents and achieve a better understanding of the game.

He also planned to help put the players who were good enough on a pedestal, giving scouts and coaches from professional clubs the chance to see their talents.

After seven years of hard work developing a structure, recruiting the right team and finding sponsorship, the Pro Touch Soccer Academy was born. Speaking on what is without doubt his greatest ever achievement, Ash said: "Coaching and guidance are vital in helping young footballers make it within the professional game.

"I've always wanted to play a part in helping footballers who are good enough get that chance to prove themselves. That is the sole aim of the Pro Touch Soccer Academy."

With the exception of a brief trial at Leyton Orient, Ash never played professional football and was never really given the chance to prove just how good a player he was. Staying close to the game, he turned his attentions towards coaching and managing, taking over the reins at King's Cross United with close friend Will Cave.

Since then he has gone on to accomplish numerous goals within the sport, coaching a host of successful men’s and women’s teams from across London. Among his successes include leading King's Cross Lithgow to a host of top honours around the country, including the prestigious Canary Cup in 2000.

He has also successfully pitted his wits against some of the best young managers from across Europe, securing a hat-trick of bronze medals at the Dana Cup, which was held in Denmark.

During the 1990s Ash coached and assisted some of the most gifted and talented young prospects that Camden and Islington had to offer. They included Abdul Koysor, who enjoyed spells at Leyton Orient and Charlton Athletic, Leon Fisher, who played for Watford and England under-17s, and Sam Oji, who has spent time with clubs Arsenal, Birmingham City and Hereford United.

Ash has also played an influential role in the career of Anthony Wordsworth, a gifted young midfielder who is a regularly first-team starter at League One side Colchester United and another young first-team striker Danny Hylton currently at Aldershot Town.

With almost 14 years of experience under his belt, Ash has developed a great understanding of the media world that today's professional footballers are exposed to. His work both on and off the pitch has also merited various media coverage, with BBC, ITV and Channel Four all producing documentaries on his achievements.

Ash has received the highest possible praise for all the hard work that he has put in over the years, receiving invites to the Buckingham Palace and No.10 Downing Street, where he met former Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

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Zahid Hossain
Assistant Academy Director
Over the past decade Zahid has become a highly respected and sought after football coach.

Having worked with a number of successful football teams across London, he boasts a vast knowledge of various coaching and training methods, and has also gained valuable experience in major European youth tournaments such as the Dana Cup.

Zahid managed PTSA U18s team, where they had an outstanding season in 2009/10, where the team came 3rd in the Cheshunt Youth Football League.

Outside of football Zahid works as Freelancer Digital Producer with 14 years of experience, working major Blue Chip companies throughout the world.

Zahid uses his knowledge as a digital producer to keep the Pro Touch Soccer Academy at the forefront of technology, undertaking vital tasks like maintain the website and ensuring that the Soccer Academy continues to reach the widest possible audience.

Zahid, who was the Project Manager for Carlos and Kevin’s winning Dana Cup 2011 in Denmark under 13s team played a key role in making sure everything ran smoothly from game to game.

Zahid is MBA, BSc (Hons) qualified and holds an FA Level Two Coaching Certificate Badge and FA Youth Module 1. He is due to start his FA Level Three UEFA 'B’ Coaching Certificate and FA Youth Module 2.

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Taff I Rahman
Head of Coaching Programmes & Mentor
Taff started his journey in football at a very young age; and knew almost straight a way that he wanted to be a professional footballer.

He represented various local Sunday League teams, his school and his district before being selected to play for his country. His skills, determination and belief landed him with a schoolboy contact with Queen’s Park Rangers and later Luton Town FC.

With a clinical eye for goal he was soon making a name for himself within the sport, which resulted in him being snapped up by his boyhood team Arsenal in September 1996.

While playing and training with the Gunners’ Youth Academy, he was one of ten boys selected to attend Highams Park School, a specialised program designed by Arsenal in a bid to combine player’s education with training. The likes of David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur and England), Justin Hoyte (Middlesbrough), John Spicer and Ryan Smith were just a few of the names that were involved in this elite development program.

Taff has also been guided by some of the games great players and coaches, including Neil Banfield, Liam Brady, Andy McDermid and former England coach Don Howe.

Taff continued to develop and gain a vast knowledge of the professional game, representing Arsenal at academy, youth and reserves level. During his time at the club he competed in a series of prestigious tournaments across Europe, playing against the likes of FC Bayern Munich, Ajax, Lyon and PSV Eindhoven.

Feeling the harsh hand of the beautiful game, Taff was released by Arsenal at end of the 2003 season. He went on to play in America, before returning to the UK to have trials with Bristol City and Rusden and Diamonds. He opted to sign for Gravesend and Northfleet FC, now known as Ebbsfleet, who play in the Blue Square Premier League. Taff has continued to play at semi-professional level.

Taff has completed his FA Level Three UEFA ‘B’ Coaching Certificate with the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and is currently completing his UEFA ‘A’ License. He has also completed his training for the Youth Coaches Award, which is designed for coaches working with elite players within the Professional Academies set-up. He recently founded he’s very own Coaching to Fitness (C2F-www.coaching2fitness.com) company, specialising in coaching fitness within sports.

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Mustapha Turay
Academy Project Manager
Mustapha is known as the “Special One” to his fellow colleagues, a fitting nickname considering his tough and determined climb since the days when he started playing football back in his native Sierra Leone.

Like many kids growing up in Africa in the early 1990s, pursuing a career in football were a “no go” area as there was more emphasis put on education.

When he relocated to England, his father urged him to finish his education and pursue a law degree. After completing a degree in Human Resource Management at the University of Luton, Mustapha was elected as a sabbatical officer (Vice President ‘Education and Representation’) managing the Student Union Advice Centre and providing information and advice to students.

Since joining the PTSA backroom staff in 2007, he has enjoyed great success, winning the One Youth Cup with the Pro Touch Community under-12s and the One Euro Youth Cup with both the under -13s and 15s. Mustapha is an FA Level Two qualified coach and is due to start his FA Level Three UEFA 'B’ Coaching Certificate in 2010

Having completed and passed he’s Football Association Agent exam in 2009, Mus will join forces with Adam heading the Pro Touch Management Ltd (PTM) from 2011.

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Adam Davis
Legal Advisor & FA Football Agent
Adam is a qualified and practising Barrister, having been called to the Bar in 1985.
In the 1980’s,

Adam played for Ryman League Premier Division side Wingate and Finchley FC, where he was presented with the Young Player of the Year Award in 1982.

Adam was a member of the Sports Disputes Resolution Panel, the professional body charged with conducting the Football Association Disciplinary Tribunals.

He is now a registered lawyer with the Football Association and also works part time as a football agent, helping to protect the interests of PTSA players in professional football.

Adam played a key role in negotiating the contracts for Ex. PTSA youngsters Eurico Sebastiao and Jordan Samuels-Palmer to Nottingham Forest FC, with the duo signing to Pro Touch Management in early 2011.

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Carlos Santos
Academy Development Manager
Originally from Portugal, Carlos moved to England at the age of 13, and proved an instant success playing football at schoolboy level. He developed into a commanding and skillful central midfielder, earning a place in a number of top semi-professional sides, including Clapton FC, London APSA and Ilford.

In 2005 Carlos was offered a contract to play for East Thurrock, and was looking forward to a bright future within the sport. But sadly his playing career was cut short by a major injury to his left ankle and he was forced to retire.

In 2008 Carlos joined our community and academy coaching programmes where he continues to share his experiences within the game.

Carlos was the first PTSA manager to secure gold in the Dana Cup 2011,in Denmark. He managed the under 13s team with Kevin and Zahid. Carlos holds an FA Level Two Coaching Certificate and will aim to sit the FA Level Three UEFA 'B’ Coaching Certificate in 2011.

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Nathan Persaud
Head Sport's Psychologist
Nathan has been working for PTSA for over two years, offering sport psychology support to players of all ages, through group workshops and one-to-one sessions. He also offers advice and feedback for coaches on all football matters related to the mind.

After completing a degree in Psychology at the University of Birmingham, Nathan decided to combine two of his passions: sport and understanding the human mind. This led him to complete a Masters degree in Sport Psychology at Brunel University and recently passed BASES Supervised Experience programme.

Passionate about his work with PTSA, Nathan has developed a unique programme of workshops and a method of engaging players which few professional academies can boast. This is enhanced by his experience as a teaching assistant and his work delivering projects for Street League-helping disaffected young adults back into work, using football as an engagement tool.

Nathan recently started working with Brentford FC CoE, which he is very excited working at a professional club in the 2011-12 season.

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Ian Guyah-Low
Sport's Psychologist
Ian played football at a young age scoring in all house matches and representing the first team whilst at prep school. Interest in football has been maintained through following the accomplishments of his friends who work within the professional game as fitness and strength and conditioning coaches respectively for Peterborough United, Preston North End and Milton Keynes Dons.

However, recognising body size could be an issue he was quickly pushed in to the sport of rugby union representing the first team and county squads whilst at school. Recommendations by former coaches saw him accepted for trials at Bedford Blues in the Allied Dunbar Premiership. Upon making the grade he signed for the Academy but this was short lived with a previous knee injury flaring up preventing him playing for a few years before representing semi professional clubs in the National Leagues. At the age of 26 he was forced to retire involuntary when suffering the condition that infamously took Marc Vivien Foe’s life.

Knowing participation in the game was over he consequently completed his degree in Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Surrey, Roehampton before going on to specialise in Sports Psychology, completing a Masters degree at the University of Wolverhampton. He has since been involved in applied research with professional and amateur athletes looking at ways to facilitate athletic performance.

Ian is currently studying for a Ph.D at Aberystwyth University in Wales investigating the “Psychological Implications of Involuntary Career Transitions for Competitive Athletes” on a part time basis. Ian also won the only free place offered by BASES (British Association of Sport and Exercise Science) to present his research in relation to his Ph.D at the prestigious Stanford University in California in 2009 on the Athletes Heart and Sudden Death in Sport.

Developing players so that they reach their optimal level of performance on a consistent basis motivates me to assist athletes in reaching their personal goals and having that cutting edge over their opponents.

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Joe Girma
Head of Fitness, Mentor & Personal Trainer
Joe started his football journey playing with Queen's Park Rangers at the age of 13. After an impressive debut season, he became hot property and was offered a schoolboy contract at a host of top clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient.

After much thought and deliberation he decided to join Wimbledon FC, now known as the MK Dons, where he played until he was released at 17. Joe continued to try and make it in the professional ranks by joining Leyton Orient on a pay-as-you-play contract, before moving to semi-professional side Wingate and Finchley.

With his dream fast turning into a nightmare, Joe was forced to take drastic action and decided a career change was the best solution. He turned to education, achieving a diploma in sports science.

Now working as a health and fitness consultant, Joe teaches in various gyms, offering a range of different classes including circuit work, body conditioning and aerobics.

Joe has survived the darker side of football and gone on to enjoy a successful career within the fitness industry, becoming a beacon of hope to all the young players at the Pro Touch Soccer Academy.

Joe managed one of the U11s team in the Dana Cup 2011, which reached the Semi-Final of the international tournament.  He’s side lost 2-0 to St Pauli, a German professional team but were unlucky not to progress into the Final.  However Joe made he’s mark by securing bronze medal for he’s first managerial experience, with many more success to follow years to come.

Joe is an FA Level Two qualified coach and is due to start his FA Level Three UEFA 'B’ Coaching Certificate in 2011 and is always happy to share his experiences within the game with anyone needing help or advice.

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Ben Rosenblatt
Head of Strength, Conditioning & Sports Science
Ben was a goalkeeper at Arsenal and was released at the age of 16. He then went on to join the Barnet Academy and played semi-professionally for Wingate and Finchley and UWIC Inter Cardiff.

Ben was a personal trainer from the age of 16 and when he was 19 he went to the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) to study Sport & Exercise Science with the aim of being a strength and conditioning coach.

At UWIC Ben provided strength and conditioning coaching to the tennis, football and athletic teams before being selected to study at California State University, Long Beach. In America Ben coached the baseball, basketball and volleyball teams as well as producing a DVD series on football fitness for developing players and coaches.

On his return to the UK Ben completed his degree and coached elite level track and field athletes. He then went on to provide strength and conditioning support to Millwall FC and Cardiff City FC before taking a permanent role as the Strength and Conditioning Coach at the Olympic Medical Institute.

A year later, Ben took the role of Head of Sports Science and Conditioning at Birmingham City FC and was involved in the promotion to the Premier League in the 2008/09 season. Midway through the 2009/10 season Ben left the Blues to take the role of Senior Rehabilitation Scientist at the newly formed Intensive Rehabilitation Unit of the British Olympic Medical Institute and English Institute of Sport.

Ben is currently studying for a PhD in the "Biomechanics of Training Specificity" on a part time basis from the Cardiff School of Sport. Ben is also an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach with the UKSCA and is an honorary lecture on the Masters Degree in Sports Medicine at UCL.

Ben is passionate about coaching and the physical development of players and athletes at an elite level. He loves his work at Pro Touch as it grants him opportunities to instil good habits and fundamental physical development in young and developing players. 

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Michael Crebbin
Head Physiotherapist
Michael grew up on the Isle of Wight where he played youth football and tennis to a county standard.

He moved to London when he was 18 and studied an undergraduate degree in Sports Therapy, during which time he worked within the professional ranks at Barnet Football Club.
He went on to study a post-graduate degree in physiotherapy at King’s College London, graduating in 2005.

He currently works in the NHS as a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist in health centre and GP clinic settings. He is fully qualified in Sports First Aid, is a member of the Football Association Medical Society and is currently undertaking post-graduate study in Orthopaedic Medicine and Acupuncture.

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Justinas Gasiunas
Head Goal Keeping Coach
Justinas started his career as semi professional footballer, when he was 16 years old in his home town whilst playing for a local adult football club. When he was 18, he started to play in his university professional club FC “Atletas”.

He spent 6 years in this club as a goalkeeper. For the last three years FC “Atletas” was competing in the top Division of Lithuanian football federation. In those 6 years Justinas has grown both as a player and as a coach. When he was 22 years old he got BA degree in Sport Coaching (football coach). Few years later he got Masters Degree in Sport Psychology.

During years in the FC “Atletas” Justinas was not only successful goalkeeper, but also started to work as a young up and coming coach. He used to coach children and young goalkeepers in the sport schools across he’s town. Also, after few years he had an opportunity to coach the young goalkeepers in his own professional club FC “Atletas”. The first team coach, and his professor in the university, noticed that Justinas was excellent and a had a great relationship with players and keepers whilst coaching, and in 2008 assigned him as a coach of the second FC “Atletas” team, which he managed in the season 2008 – 09, won the third place in the Lithuanian football federation seconds teams competition. This was his biggest achievement as a professional coach.

In the summer of 2009 after a successful career as a player and young coach Justinas decided to go to London to gain more both grassroots and professional experience in the football homeland.

Justinas is qualified UEFA “B” Coach and currently also works as Brentford FC Academy Goal Keeping Coach.

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Ray Ansah-Adjapong
Centre of Excellence Development Manager
Ray is a confident and competent communicator with a hunger surpassed by none, his love for the game of football is clear to whoever he meets. He is also a responsible character who can lead as well as contribute to the team ethic.

Ray enjoys most sports and partake in several other sports in some shape or form and socialising with friends and family.

Ray was born and raised in East London, only child from a single parent house hold, with 8 GCSE's from A-C and 2 A-Levels.  Ray’s main aspiration is to become a Head Coach at English Premier League club preferably Arsenal as this is the team he has supported all he’s life.

Ray holds an FA Level Two Coaching Certificate and will aim to sit the FA Level Three UEFA 'B’ Coaching Certificate final assessment exam in 2011.  He is also studying for a degree in Sports Science at Roehapton University.  Ray is also an national ambassador for the Prince's Trust, which also recently featured in London Metro, sharing some of his highlights and life experiences.    

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Ned Nazerali
Photographer
Nedim is a London based Fashion/Portrait photographer, who takes and artist and documentary approach to Fashion through the way people live.

Graduating from London College of Fashion in 2008, he pursued his career freelance in the fashion industry collaborating with various Magazines and Designers as well as working in advertising for the likes of The Metropolitan Police, Sainsbury’s and Samsung.

Nedim was introduced to PTSA through the Designers from the brand GIAROYE, whom sponsor PTSA. His first involvement with PTSA began when documenting the journey of Dana Cup International Soccer Tournament in July 2010, capturing the PTSA matches as well as the mood and essence of the experience for the young players during the trip to Denmark.

Through this he has gained a good relationship with PTSA and is now on board as the Director of Photography for the Academy, to help increase a memorable experience to the community and the young players with aspirations including our young schoolboy professional footballers - www.nedimnazerali.com .

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Shaub Miah
Film Producer
Shaub got involved with PTSA last year after editing the Dana Cup 2008 in Denmark and has since then familiarised himself with the academy set up. His involvement with creations of visuals, story boards, editing for the charity called Restlessbeings.org has enabled him to expand into PTSA and help with the creative aspects for the academy and bring them to the forefront of video production.

Shaub grew up with some of the PTSA staff and played various local teams, which started his passion for football and everything associated with it.

Since then Shaub has moved on and freelances as an offline editor/motion graphics designer and also works for a prestigious post production house and has many years of experience in offline editing/motion graphics design.

Most of Shaub’s spare time is spent doing offline editing/motion graphics design for PTSA and Restless beings.

Shaub has a BSc (Hons) is Software Systems for the Arts and Media.

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Koyar Abul
Senior Academy Head Coach & Mentor
Having been within touching distance of a promising career as a professional footballer, Koyar brings a great passion and understanding of the game to the Pro Touch Soccer Academy.

As a dominant midfielder he was to play at every youth level within the game, including the Camden and Islington District team and the London County.

He was spotted by scouts while playing for Tufnell FC in the Camden and Islington Under-11s Youth League, and was soon attracting the attentions of a string of major clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea. He opted to join West Ham, where during an impressive five-year spell he got the chance to play alongside some of the best young talents in the country, including Joe Cole (Chelsea and England), Glen Johnson (Liverpool and England) Kieron Richardson and Anton Ferdinand (both Sunderland).

Koyar's list of achievements includes winning the Milk Cup in 1997 with the Hammers' youth team, and making the final 60 players selected to take part in England schoolboy trials.
Despite his immense talent Koyar was released by West Ham, but continued his search for a scholarship with trials at Tottenham Hotspur, Watford and Leicester City.

Like many, his talents continued to get overlooked, and the constant struggle caused him to fall out of love with the game. Lacking vital guidance and direction Koyar was allowed to walk away from the sport, but he soon realised that football was far too important to him to just give up on it, and he soon reignited his love for the beautiful game in a coaching capacity.

He now works as a Sports Development Officer for a local authority, and also coaches the Year 6 Camden District team. Koyar is an FA Level Two qualified coach and is due to start his FA Level Three UEFA 'B’ Coaching Certificate this year.

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Tony Blair
Senior Academy Head Coach
Tony has played nearly all sports, achieving mostly from football and basketball.
He started his football coaching by showing his son the basics of goalkeeping. He gained a lot from this, which gave him the incentive to coach other young people  

He started at Norseman FC and Edmonton all saints, with these teams playing in Enfield; this is when he started on his coaching badges.

Tony then went to Fitzrovia youth in Action, were he is the Head football coaching and a youth worker. He coaches from ages 8-18, the teams play in various five aside and eleven a side leagues and tournaments. Tony has helped the youths volunteer and take part in the Camden Unity Cup, which he has been doing since 2003. Most of the youth boys and girls in Camden he has coached.

Tony started the first Futsal league in Camden, (The Camden Futsal League); this introduced a new and skilful use of the ball in a very fast game. He has coached Futsal teams in Enfield and Camden; he has been able to take a girl’s team to The FA Futsal youth championship in Sheffield.

Tony managed the PTSA U14/15s in the Camden & Islington Midweek League 2010-11 season, which won the League Cup and ended the season joint 3rd overall.

Tony has a Level 2 in football coaching; currently completing FA Level 3. He is qualified as a Boxing Tutor and holds a Sports leadership Tutor award level 1 and 2. He has also gained a FA Goalkeeping award, the FA Futsal level 1 and certificated in exercise, fitness with gym instructing.

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Khaleefa Peart
Senior Academy Head Coach
Khaleefa known as “KP” to many has grown up playing district football in both London and Birmingham, and also played semi-professional football for Stratford Town.

He has played in tournaments involving a host of top players, including Joleon Lescott (Manchester City and England), Darius Vassel (Leicester City and ex. England), Zat Knight (Bolton Wanderers), Lloyd Dyer (Leicester City) and brothers Isiah and Isaac Osbourne (Hibernian and Aberdeen).

Khaleefa has also coached in America, enjoying success and gaining high praise with teams in the Sacramento area of Los Angeles.

Khaleefa is a FA Level Two qualified coach and has various youth and sports merits, including being a qualified fitness trainer and a certified life coach. He is due to start on he’s FA Level Three UEFA ‘B’ Coaching Certificate later this year. Khaleefa secured a one year scholarship in September 2009 to study in Qatar university where he also won a number of trophies playing for the University team; and recently rejoined up with he’s PTSA counterparts.

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TJ O'Leary
Senior Academy Head Coach
As a player TJ represented Camden District, during his time playing for Camden he was offered trials at Charlton Athletic & Arsenal. He played Semi Professional for Kentish Town Football club aged 17, playing in the South Midlands Spartan Premier League, and completing over 80 matches by the age of 20. 

TJ’s first coaching experience came aged 16 working at a summer school on the south coast of Spain in Malaga. It was a 6 week programme involving coaching sessions in the morning and evening during the school holidays. After leaving school TJ completed his NVQ Level 3 in Sports Operations and management at Talacre Sports Centre. While on the course he completed his Community Sports Leaders award, Higher Sports Leaders Award, FA Football Level 1 and coaching disabled footballers award. 

He was offered a job at Camden Sports Development as a senior sports coach, in the summer of 2004, aged 17. During he’s time at Camden TJ completed he’s FA Level 2 Football in 2006.

In 2009 TJ founded Torriano United FC, which was a football club aimed at local young people who could join free of charge to compete in the Camden and Regent’s Park Youth League and various local tournaments.  During the first season he had two U10's age groups with 25 players registered.  For the second season TJ had over 100 players registered over four different age groups.  The team has gone on to win various tournaments including the U10 League title in the Camden and Regent’s Park League 2010/11 season. 

In 2011 TJ completed FA Level 3 UEFA B Licence He also completed the Nike SPARQ training accreditation, which measures an athlete’s fitness with a number of tests on which the result ends with a rounded number.

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Matt Keane
Academy Coach
Matt ‘Keano’ has played football from a young age in the North London district including four years with Barnet Borough schoolboys. He still participates today in the Amateur Football Combination Leagues with his school “Alumni Side”. After graduating from university with a degree in Sports Science and Business, Matt now works in the sports development sector with the PRO-ACTIVE North London group and supplements his work there coaching football with PTSA but also supporting the business and community developments with the key management team.

Keano who secured PTSA first title in the Camden & Islington Midweek League 2010-11 season as well as taking the team in the League Cup final, demonstrated he’s strength as a coach and managing a very talented group of players in he’s first full season in charge.

Keano holds an FA Level Two Coaching Certificate and is aiming to sit he’s FA Level Three UEFA B coaching certificate in 2011.

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Kevin Partridge
Assistant Academy Coach
Kevin had a passion for football at a very young age; he represented various local teams in Enfield and surrounding areas north London. As he grew older his technical knowledge of the game became very influential, then like many injuries prevented Kevin from participating in the sport any further.

Kevin turned his attention to coaching youth football, which started he’s journey in 1994. then went on to running a mini soccer school in 2000 for children aged between 3-7 years old. Kevin continues to be involved in grassroots football coaching in Enfield, but has decided to challenge himself with the tasks of nurturing the next generational of schoolboy professional footballers within the PTSA framework.

Kevin was the assistant coach to Carlos in the wining Dana Cup 2011,in Denmark under 13s team. Kevin holds an FA Level One Coaching Certificate and will aim to sit the FA Level Two Coaching Certificate in 2011and is also a qualified referee.

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Sam Murfitt
Senior Community & Academy Goal Keeping Coach
Sam is one of our youngest coaches, and is already building a glittering career.
Combining his desire to play with his love of teaching, the talented goalkeeper continually swaps his No.1 jersey for a tracksuit as he coaches young hopefuls at a grassroots community level while also playing for our under-18s team, where he had an outstanding season in 2009/10, where the team came 3rd in the Cheshunt Youth League.

In the previous four years Sam was part of the Dana Cup coaching and management teams, assisting and delivering the goal keeping coaching programmes for all the goal keepers travelling with the teams.

Sam holds an FA Level Two Coaching Certificate and is due to start his FA Level Two Goal Keeping Coaching Certificate in 2011.

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Max Nkwocha
Community Sports Coach
Maxwell known as “Max” too many grew up in the area and since a young age has shown a great passion for football.

Max has represented a few Sunday and mid-week league football teams including Tufnell Park FC and played football at various levels.

Incorporating a beautiful touch, defence splitting pace, excellent vision and awareness and good level of teamwork ethics, which resulted in him being talent scouted and invited to trial at Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC and then eventually signing schoolboy professional contract for Millwall FC.

Max continued to develop and gain knowledge of the professional game representing Millwall at youth and academy level. Due to off-the-pitch constraints Max had to leave Millwall FC, which disheartened him.

However Max has joint PTSA to lend his experience and knowledge of the game and most importantly to re-invest within the community to help bring out our young talents best abilities. Max has completed his FA Level One and is concentrating on gaining his FA Level 2 qualification later this year.

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Chris Enoh
Community Sports Coach& Assistant Academy Coach
Chris joined PTSA in September 2010 and under the supervision from Sam Murfitt he established himself as a coach.

Chris is one of our young coaches, full of passion, drive and is very sports and fitness oriented.

Chris was the assistant to under Matt Keane and was extremely proud when the Academy U10's reached the Semi Final of the West County Cup Tour 2011. Also Chris was the assistant coach to Ash in the Dana Cup 2011 under 11s blue team, which lost in the last 8 to the eventually winners from Lithuania 3-2.

Chris main aspiration is to become an Educator within the sports industry. May it may be as a P.E teacher or a football coach for a Premier League, Championship or League clubs.

Chris holds an FA Level One Coaching, a Futsal Coaching Badge and CYQ Level 2 in Fitness Instructing and will aim to sit the FA Level Two Coaching Certificate in 2011.

Chris hold a BTEC National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science. He is currently studying for a degree in Sports Science and Physical Education at London Metropolitan University.

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Michael Ayisire
Community Sports & Assistant Academy Coach
Michael was born in Nigeria and arrived in England at the age of 9 with his family, where his love for football grew immediately. He started playing for Hornchurch FC (semi-professional team) at the age of 16 spending 2 years developing myself, looking forward to a very bright future in football.  But unfortunately like many hopefuls, he had a knee injuring,  he gained strength again on the operated knee and could not stop getting back into serious football. So, he joined Kingstonian FC (semi-pro) where he fought to play in the first team. But the injury had restricted competitive football.

Michael was never able to recover fully to take the game seriously, therefore he turned his attention into coaching and educating young hopefuls wanting to chase their dreams of one day becoming a professional footballer. 

Chris studied Aerospace Engineering design at Kingston University,

Michael currently holds an FA Level One Coaching Certificate and intend to sit the FA Level Two Coaching Certificate in 2011.

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Xarius Desai
Assistant Academy Coach
Xarius never had an opportunity to progress his playing career further than amateur league level. While always competent and a good athlete, he has devoting his career to becoming a coach. Xarius is a perfect fit for the Pro Touch Academy ethos - preparing promising players with those vital skills to take the step up to the next level.

A young and talented coach, Xarius has been progressing at a phenomenal rate, completing his FA Level 1 and 2 qualifications in just under a year. Having joined the PTSA staff in September 2010, he is extremely proud to work with the many talented youngsters at the Academy with the biggest highlight so far during he’s time with PTSA is managing the U8s squad in the West Country Cup during the April 2011 Easter Holiday in Newquay.

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Caric James
Community Sports & Assistant Academy Coach
Caric is the youngest coach to work for PTSA. Caric is a very enthusiastic coach who is very passionate about the game of football. Caric currently holds his FA level 2 Badge in Coaching and have his mind set on achieving his UEFA B license (FA Level 3).

The proudest moment of Caric’s coaching career to date is wining the West County Youth Cup in Newquay with PTSA U9s, making him the youngest coach to do so for PTSA.

Caric was also a member of the U18 team at PTSA, and led the U18 to win Asian Youth Cup in June 2011.

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Ayman Suleman
Assistant Project Officer
Ayman is currently the Founder and Chairman of Aym Higher Sports Club, a non-profit organisation that uses football to engage young people from Somali, Eritrean and other immigrant and host communities, to teach ethnic and religious tolerance, and to equip them with life skills. Ayman is also a dynamic youth worker, helping to empower teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds in South London and to connect them into mainstream society.

Ayman previously played semi professional football at Bromley FC and Hoddeston Town before deciding to get more into coaching. He is a qualified FA Level 1 Coach and currently undertaking his FA Level 2 final exams.

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