Birchwood Soccer Schools employs a highly motivated group of individuals. Our staff provides optimum levels of service on and off the field. As many of our employees are experts in their specific field we can create tailored programs that are inspirational in a safe learning environment. B.S.S. offers a year round program to ensure that a structured, developmental curricular is available to our clients.

Ryan Leslie (Program Director)

Heavily involved in all aspects of British and American youth soccer, Ryan’s primary role is to lead the team. In particular, oversees the organization of the departments, finance, facilities, staffing, program policies, player development, planning, research, education provision and liaison with schools/ Premier league youth academies.

Ryan has one set goal, “To never stop developing technically good players into achieving standards of excellence”. Ryan is responsible for all technical/tactical development within the individual/teams. Also the monitoring of all of our technical staff, including their performance attaining to your results.

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Mark Airey

Mark Airey - Conditioning Department (Sports Science professor)

Mark is head of Sports Science at the acclaimed Salford University. All aspects of individual programs, testing and team training methods are overseen by Mark. Mark will sit down with each coach and develop and implement your teams periodic training manual for the forthcoming season. This is made up of cardio workouts, weight programs, coaching techniques and a week long assessment of you and/or your team.

Mark lecturers at the prestigious Salford University, speaking on a range of Applied sports science courses and sports rehabilitation

Mark has advised on many professional sports teams including Olympic athletes on training techniques and fitness schedules.

Jimmy Connerly

Jimmy Connerly (Head Fitness Trainer)

Jimmy heads the personal training aspect of the program. He specializes in reaching goals fast! His background as a successful soccer player at club level having captained Daten Soccer Club gives him competitive edge that helps him to get the best out of your players. Jimmy has reached the pinnacle in his field, holding the Premier personal training qualification he is considered an expert in the industry. This is an attribute that he also applies to himself, which has now transferred across to his new passion, running marathons, this has led to him achieving the remarkable time of 3hrs 2 mins at this years Edinburgh marathon.

Paul Walsh

Paul Walsh (Personal Trainer)

A graduate of the much acclaimed Premier International Personal Training diploma, Paul is a dynamic and enthusiastic member of the team. During his spare time Paul plays amateur rugby to a very high standard for Halton Simms Cross in Widnes.

Lindsey Rea (Office Manager)

Lindsey is based out of our Hillsborough office, NJ.  Duties include the administration and organization of office practice within the program. Lindsey is directly responsible for all program chaperones & point of contact for all parents.

Hannah Chester (Physiotherapist)

Employed by Birchwood Soccer School to develop, organize, coordinate and implement the treatment/rehab of all players on the program. Hannah will be available “game day” for pre/post and in-game treatments. Concentrating specifically on musculoskeletal injuries, the Birchwood Soccer schools team will utilize a multi-dimensional approach, considering all aspects of the patient's injury. Treatment and rehabilitation sessions incorporate manual therapy techniques, massage, posture correction, core stability and functional exercise program’s all making use of the vast facilities available in the fitness center.

Our team consists of both Graduate Sports Rehabilitators and Chartered Physiotherapists, which are affiliated to the British Association of Sports Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) respectively.

Hannah plays soccer at the highest standard. Playing in the English Ladies Premier Division for Blackburn Rovers. Hannah is a strong shoulder to lean when fast action is needed during a game.

Coaching Staff

Sean Wall

UEFA Licensed, having worked with Adidas® for 5 years Sean joined the team in conjunction with his work with Professional youth academies. We are delighted to have his 10 years experience on board.

Kelly-Dawn Watson

One of the most decorated women’s coaches in the North West of England. Kelly played for Northern Universities and was voted MVP for her Club on no less than 3 separate occasions. Kelly’s enthusiasm is infectious and her results outstanding. Her personable approach is used to get the best out of all players.

All Sports Science employees are in direct employment with
Alive & Well Ltd, Birchwood Park, Warrington.