COACHES

Thierry Messi is an enthusiastic and dedicated physical education professional with over ten years of experience working with young people in various sports coaching and educational settings. He is currently pursuing a PGCE Secondary in Physical Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Thierry also holds an MSc in Performance Football Coaching and a BSc in Coaching for Performance Football. These qualifications, alongside his practical experience, have shaped him into a dynamic educator who is passionate about fostering positive, inclusive learning environments.

Throughout his career, Thierry has gained experience in a variety of roles, including as a multisport camp manager, sports coach, and academy football coach. He has delivered lessons across a wide range of sports, including football, athletics, volleyball, basketball, and trampolining, working with students of various abilities and learning styles. In each of these roles, Thierry developed the skills necessary to adapt his teaching strategies to meet the needs of all students, including those with special educational needs (SEN), such as ADHD, ASD, and dyslexia.

Thierry's approach to teaching revolves around creating a safe, supportive, and predictable environment where students can thrive. He believes in the power of active participation, peer collaboration, and formative assessment to help students develop confidence and achieve success. He aims to inspire students to become lifelong learners, both in sport and in life, by encouraging critical thinking, teamwork, and resilience.

In addition to his work in physical education, Thierry has gained additional qualifications in sports psychology, sports therapy, and safeguarding, further enhancing his ability to provide well-rounded, effective coaching and teaching. He is also multilingual, speaking French, English, and a beginner level of Polish, which enriches his ability to connect with a diverse group of students.

As an educator, Thierry's ultimate goal is to empower young people to reach their full potential and help them develop the confidence, discipline, and resilience to become successful and compassionate global citizens.

Raised in his native France, where sports were a significant part of his life from childhood through early adulthood, Ben Brooke naturally gravitated towards a career in sports and education in the early 2000s. This early immersion in a sports culture instilled in him a deep understanding of the positive impact of physical activity and the values of teamwork and discipline.

Upon moving to the UK, Ben began his journey as a Football coach, gaining experience with various organizations. He worked with NW London Grass Root clubs, fostering a love for the game at the foundational level, and also coached school teams, adapting his methods for an educational setting. His talent and dedication led to his involvement at Brentford FC and BHAFC (Premiere League Category A academy) from 2010. Coaching at this elite level, he worked with talented young athletes, contributing to their development within a professional academy environment.

Ben's entrepreneurial mindset and his "Total Sports Philosophy" guided him to explore diverse practices within the sports and education sectors. Notably, he contributed to the post-Olympics initiative for Handball at Arsenal FC. Driven by a vision of providing high-quality sports provision, he eventually established his own coaching and sports-for-education company. This company offered comprehensive services to schools and clubs across London, delivering curriculum-aligned sports programs with a strong emphasis on game-based and movement-based activities to develop fundamental athletic abilities.

A significant collaboration further enriched Ben's coaching perspective when he partnered with ex-professional cricketer Imran Azam. Together, they brought to life a Cricket Development Center at Lord’s MCC in 2012, providing Ben with valuable insight into the world of cricket and further reinforcing his "Total Sports" vision. This vision emphasizes the transferability of fundamental movement skills across various sports.

Teaming up with fellow coach and friend Thierry Messi, Ben co-developed the "Active 8" concept. This initiative focuses on athletic development as a crucial foundation, aiming to enhance and improve performance in a wide range of sports.

Ben is consistently looking to progress and offer meaningful sports and educational provision, always seeking to make a positive impact on the individuals he works with.