Leon Holden was appointed Head of Coaching when the club was founded in the 2017-2018 season. He holds a UEFA B Coaching Qualification and FA Module 3.
Leon comes to the club with 13 years experience in elite female football, in which he has previously worked with Cambridge United's Centre of Excellence as a Centre Manager and Coach. Leon also offered his services to a number of grassroots clubs as a volunteer to enhance player development and build new relationships within the world of female football.
We are extremely privileged to have Leon on board and look forward to the forthcoming season under his guidance.
London Girls Development Academy of Football
LGDA prides itself on a high standard of technical practice and high quality player led discussions within its technical syllabus
Our Under 9’s will look at not only the fundamentals of football but also the social aspect of the game. By working closely together and encouraging player support, we feel this way will help accelerate learning.
Our Under 10’s continue the journey of using the fundamentals of play and player support but start to include more technical content and high tempo play in the build up to competitive games
Our Under 12’s enter their first stage of competitive 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 where they are more open to making mistakes and being able to self assess and try again. This is vitally important for coaches to see this without the need to intervene unless guidance and support is needed.
Our Under 14’s will start to understand the importance of high tempo practice within a competitive setting. League games will now look at transitions from 9 v 9 to 11 v 11, whilst educating Academy players to work within Primary units and Secondary units. Syllabus will be based more within game scenarios and systems of play whilst the need to adapt within the modern, ever evolving game.
The Under 16’s will look solely at the 11 v 11 game and whole systems of play, including tactical understanding, Set plays and problem solving on the field of play. This will still incorporate our high tempo technical syllabus and all of our core values that make us LGDA. The Under 16’s will look at incorporating their own game into how LGDA play and look to be integrated into the senior team after the age of 16.