Chris Welburn

Manager

As well as taking up the reins of Leeds United Ladies in June 2011, Chris has had seven years of experience working with Leeds United Ladies after initially joining the coaching staff at the club back in 2004. In addition to his work with Leeds United, Chris works as Head Coach of the Women’s Football Programme and is also a Lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Chris, 28, has attained the ‘UEFA B’ Licence in Coaching Football and is currently half way through the process of studying for the coveted ‘UEFA A’ Licence with Part 2 of the course due to be completed in Summer 2012. He has attended FA Youth Award Modules 1 and 2 and also holds the SAQ International Diploma.

Chris has worked as Head Coach of the England Universities Women’s Programme and was also Team Manager for the Great Britain Student Women’s Futsal team that went to the World Championships in Serbia in August 2010.

His early development in coaching saw Chris work in a number of positions, but notably as a conditioner with Leeds United Academy and Sheffield United Academy as well as delivering on the FA’s Women’s Strength and Conditioning Programme for International Players at U23 and U19 level.

He is also currently a Licensed Tutor for the FA and delivers the FA Level 1 coaching courses.

Alan Scorfield

Physiotherapist

Alan Scorfield is a Chartered Physiotherpist and Educationalist with a long background in profession sport. Alan began working with the open age team during the 2008 / 2009 season and has been a constant throughout the changes that took place in that period. He has previous experience working with the Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers Academies and has worked with several non–league teams in the men’s game. Alan is a registered tutor for FA Safeguarding and First Aid Courses

In addition to his full time role as Education Projects Manager with the Leeds United Foundation, he manages a private physiotherapy practice and his contracts include the Leeds United Girls Centre of Excellence. This combination of roles leaves Alan ideally placed to liaise between the different organisations, and gives him a valuable overview to bring to the Leeds United Ladies Management Team.

Alan’s off field activities have earned him the nickname ‘Mr. Entertainment’ and he has been instrumental in raising funds for the club. He has also provided motivational videos and activities on away trips and other occasions.

Claire Robinson

Coach

Since May 1999, Claire has coached and been a trainer for different agencies and councils, specifically Girls Football. She completed the FA ‘A’ licence Part One in summer 2010, previoulsy Level 3 Coaching Licence in December 2007, and is now part of the FA’s National Female Mentoring Scheme. Her Sport and Exercise Development Degree was her first experience working with talented players.

She gained experience while working at Sunderland Centre of Excellence with Under 10, 12, 14 & 16 squads, implementing a fundamental skill learning programme which incorporated a then-innovative long-term player development.

In January 2005 she completed the FA Fitness Trainers Award, specialising in Fitness Training for footballers, which offered the opportunity to work with England women junior squads as an Exercise Scientist. In 2008, she was invited by the Estonia FA to experience and provide advice to their Women’s International Development Programme, later working in the USA as a lead soccer coach in North Minnesota and followed that up by becoming U16 coach at Sunderland Girls Centre of Excellence. In October 2009 she became the Centre Director at Sunderland Girls Centre of Excellence, and has set herself the goals of completing her ‘A’ licence while continuing her own development and bringing Excellence back to the centre, upholding high standards for players and staff.

Nick Dingwall

Goalkeeping Coach

Nick began working with the open age team towards the end of the 2010/11 season as part of Rick Passmoor’s backroom team that ensured the Ladies kept their place in the Premier League.

Nick has been the head goalkeeper coach at the Leeds United Girls Centre of Excellence since 2007/2008 season and has been responsible for the training and development of goalkeepers in the Under 10 to Under 17 age groups.

Previously he played Northern Counties East league football for Harrogate Railway, where he also coached for 3 years after hanging up his gloves. He also worked at several junior clubs in the area before more recently coaching alongside Rudi Coleano with the shadow squad goalkeepers at Leeds United Academy.

Nick has attained goalkeeper qualifications from the English and Welsh FA up to Level 3 and completed his FA Youth Module Level 1 early in 2011.