Meet Our Team
Kingy
Liam King
I started my coaching journey at 17 when I completed my level 1 FA coaching badges. My first coaching role was in Vauxhall with local school children as part of a sports education program, this was extremely rewarding as the children where engaging with sports coaching which helped them in their day to day school lessons and seen the children’s attainment improve. This role lasted several years visiting different schools and working with children of all backgrounds and abilities.
A couple of years later I took my first steps in grass roots football with a Crosby based u11s team (Liverpool North JFC) the team where on the verge of quitting as the manager couldn’t fulfill the duties anymore. I took over the team with a lot of uninterested children as they were often losing games with no signs of improvement. Through organization, hard work and trusting in my coaching methods within 3 years the team where winning league and cup doubles – with 9 of the original children that where there when I started, the journey was incredible and I made friends for life.
Having started a family of my own I took a break from coaching for a while until myself and Coach Begs came up with the idea of Marina Academy, we both have the same visions, goals and share the same methods when it comes to our ideas into coaching childrens football. Instilling the fundamentals from an early age to ensure that children are given the best opportunity to excel, our methods have been proven to work with children of all abilities enjoying our sessions.
As well as football being available for children of all abilities we also believe in the importance of the social skills in which our friendly environment can see children flourish.
Johnny
Johnny Harbinson
I began coaching for my local club in Ireland when I was 15 years old. I’ve coached for the Irish Football Association for the past 5 years.
I first received my 200-hour Gold millennium volunteering certificate and since then I have completed and attained a variety of qualifications such as Safeguarding and protecting children & vulnerable adults level 1 & 2 in sport and many more.
Coaching particularly interests me because I enjoy meeting new people and working with them, finding ways to explain things to them and helping them realise and fulfilling their potential.
Coach Begs
Graeme Begley
Degree in Sports Coaching and Development
FA Level 1
FA Level 2
UEFA B license pending
American Qualifications
D license
National C
National B (equivalent to UEFA B)
My coaching journey started 17 years ago with Everton in the Community soccer schools, were I gained great experience working with coaches ranging from the visual impaired football to inclusion centres and then over to assist within Everton Girls teams.
The 7 years that followed from University lead to a wealth of experience in America for MLS Camps travelling and exploring new cultures within the football world. Levels in which I have coached were from beginners right through to professional sides.
Sessions were from 3 years and up, (recreational fun camps) right up to Division one universities and colleges in Northern California.
Academy teams from Under 5s right up to state championship teams of U21. (Southern California).
Whist coaching full time in California I have been involved with the David Beckham academy L.A Galaxy and also SAN Jose Earthquakes, before assisting in the start up of Sand and Surf Manhattan Beach.
Mentoring high schools, setting up training programmes and coaching back to back seasons at state level. Soft More – Varsity Levels (South High School).
Alongside Marina Academy I work within the Liverpool FC International Academy were I am fortunate to travel the world teaching the Liverpool FC way.
We at Marina Academy are focused on becoming the number one training provider in region for children 18 months to 6 Years and in time extending this age to up to 12 years.
We have spent long hours behind the scenes to formulate a one of a kind player package / curriculum to help project all children “beyond their vision of capability” giving them the best start to their own football Journey.
Our methods have been trialled, tested and now proven with children reaching their own personnel goals of transitioning into Grassroots football & Academy level football.
Megan Higham
I started learning to coach with David Campbell, which I got the chance to be interviewed for challenger, where I went to Texas to do summer camps. I also worked in Louisiana.
When I came home I got my FA level 1 and disability badge.
The next year I went out to be a challenger academy coach working in the new england region. I was sent to sayreville soccer club in new Jersey. After working 2 years in sayreville I decided I wanted a new challenge. I went to coach in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada where a few age groups, that I coached, became state champions. I also worked all over Canada on summer camps.
I came home and started FA level 2.
Future
I want to have FA level 2, which I am currently doing, then UEFA B and also get FA level 1 coaching goalkeepers.
I want to improve and help players reach their goals and to become better people.
Ryan King-Radford
Coaching Assistant Ryan is on hand to assist all the children to enable them to understand the new specific skills which are being coached and setting up the sessions as per the coaches session plan.
Coach Ryan is currently still in school and is looking to embark on a career in coaching when he leaves with Marina Academy providing full support for Ryan on his journey and helping him through his coaching badges.
Ryan is a great asset to our team and will develop into a great lead coach in years to come.
Chris Murphy
I began my coaching journey in 2019 when Marina Academy first started, I started off as assisting with the coaches during the sessions to ensure that children where comfortable in the environment and providing some 121 support to ensure all the children could master the specific skills in which the coaches would be delivering.
I quickly discovered I had a passion for coaching and being part of Marina Academy was a great opportunity as the methods in which the sessions where being delivered matched my own ideas. I completed my FA level 1 at the end of 2019 and started to be more involved in delivering sessions, working with Marina Academy has been a great start to my coaching journey and I am looking forward to developing further and helping the children along the way.