Background
About Gérard
Business Awards
Business Awards
Learn more about Gérard's story, where he came from and what's he's doing now
Business Awards
Business Awards
Business Awards
Since 2009, Gérard has won a host of business and entrepreneur awards for his accomplishments!
What they Say
Business Awards
Media Recognition
Gérard's reputation is key to the growth of GSF! Find out what people say
Media Recognition
Media Recognition
Media Recognition
Gérard has featured on national TV including National and Regional Press, Radio and more!
Certified By
Media Recognition
Certified By
Gérard is qualified Coach in Senior & Youth Football (A Licence), Qualified Teacher, Master's degree holder and more!
Mission
Media Recognition
Certified By
GSF Purpose is to enhance progress in coaches, players and entrepreneurs
Certified by
professional memberships
About Gérard
Professional Football Coach | Elite Coach Educator | Player Development | MSc Performance Coaching | PhD using Feedback to guide search | CoachesVoice Ambassador | Founder of ULearnbly #TransitionalLearningModel
Gérard Jones is an FA UEFA A Licensed Coach and FA Advanced Youth Award holder with over 14 years coaching experience having worked in the UK, US, Italy, Norway & New Zealand. A former youth team player at Halifax Town AFC, Gérard left the Club in 2008, going on to study a Sports Coaching degree at the University of Hull where he established his first business Gérard School of Football in 2009 running development centers, coaching in schools and offering private one-to-one training throughout Hull & East Yorkshire. He grew the company into becoming listed among the Top 100 Best Business Start-ups in the UK in 2010 (Startups 100 Awards), later becoming a Director of Coaching at Arsenal Soccer Schools, one of the largest soccer school programs in the world.
Following on from this, he established a Coach Education & Player Development company (called Premier Skills Yorkshire), delivering mentoring support to grassroots clubs whilst also running Advanced Skills Centers for players aged from 5-12 years old throughout Yorkshire. This saw Gérard travel to New Zealand with Premier Skills, delivering a player-development course linked with West Brom Albion Academy.
He later became an Academy Coach at Rochdale AFC (EPPP Cat 3 Academy) where he served the Club for 5 years and then joined RIASA, a world-leading international collegiate academy, as Head Academy Coach for over 3 years which through the role saw Gérard become Head Coach at Eccleshill United FC (NCEL Div One) having held previous roles as U19s & Reserve Team Coach in East Lancashire League, including as Head Coach / Head of Coaching at Bradford College's Football Academy (ECFA Cat 2). In the summer of 2015, he became an Assistant U21 Coach with Bradford City AFC, where he also worked as International Development Squad Coach through RIASA.
In early 2016 he joined Eastside FC, a youth club in South-East Michigan as the Club's Director of Coaching, helping to grow the Club significantly for nearly two years with back-to-back State Championships, Director's Academy Status and increased participation across all areas of the club.
Upon returning back to England in the summer of 2017, Gérard became the Head of Academy Coaching at Bristol Rovers FC (EPPP Cat 3 Academy), responsible for player and primarily coach development for U7-U18s.
As a leader in coaching, coach and player development and research, he has tutored for the Football Association of Wales, delivering on their C Certificate courses, as well as serving as a Grassroots Instructor for the United States Soccer Federation where he delivered and mentored coaches on the 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 and National D Licence courses. Gérard combined this role with being a Director of Coaching in New York at John Jay FC, alongside working as a Instructor for the USSF through Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association. Gérard has also delivered guest presentations and supported organisations around the world, on areas such as mentoring, club development, practice design and use of feedback.
Gérard most recently worked as an Elite Coach Educator for the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (Royal Federation of Moroccan Football) having been recruited by Osian Roberts (current Assistant Manager at Crystal Palace FC, former Technical Director at the FRMF and Technical Director / Assistant Manager at Welsh National Team). Gérard was responsible for mentoring elite coaches, creating course content and teaching on the CAF Pro and CAF A Licence courses, including the FRMF Technical Directors, FRMF Youth Awards and Advanced Youth and Instructor Training courses.
He is also the Founder and Director of online sports coaching education platform ULearnbly Limited.
Gérard is currently studying a PhD in Skill Adaptation, investigating how coaches can use feedback to guide the attentional search of athletes, to help players become better at searching for information from the environment in order to solve problems.
Gérard has previously graduated with a Master's degree in Performance Coaching from the University of Stirling in 2014, and holds a Teaching degree (PGCE) from the University of Huddersfield in 2015 where in the same year, he became a Published Author in Communication Psychology with his book titled "Let's Talk Soccer". He has also been published in several best-selling football coaching and business books, including research articles on coaching.
Award-winning Speaker
Having established his first business into becoming listed among the Top 100 Best Business Start-ups in the UK in 2010, Gérard was awarded 'Ambassador' status for Entrepreneurship in the UK, deliver talks throughout Europe promoting enterprise. He has also delivered talks in schools, colleges and businesses for a range of organisations including School Speakers, Teen-Speakers and himself. His topics range from coaching and the coaching process to enterprise, individual development, education in action, talent development & management and so much more having presented in front of audiences ranging from 30-1000+
Published Author & Contributor
Gérard has contributed to numerous articles, magazines and blogs around the world in multiple languages, which includes having work published in football and entrepreneurial books and research papers.
His book "Let's Talk Soccer: Using Game-calls to develop communication and decision making in football" published by Bennion Kearny offers coaches a resource on how to develop communication in players and establish a coaching vocabulary with the use of Game-calls.
what they say
Michael Beale - Aston Villa FC
Roger Wilkinson - Premier Skills
Roger Wilkinson - Premier Skills
“Gérard can support the delivery of an integrated club coaching strategy and enhance the growth of a club”
First Team Coach Aston Villa FC, former First Team Coach at Rangers FC, former Liverpool FC & Chelsea FC Academy Coach, former Assistant Coach São Paulo
Roger Wilkinson - Premier Skills
Roger Wilkinson - Premier Skills
Roger Wilkinson - Premier Skills
“Gérard is an excellent young soccer coach who has great empathy with players and fellow coaches alike”
Academy Director - Fencibles
Former New Zealand Director of Coaching & U17, U20 National Coach, inc West Brom U21s & FIFA Instructor
Christian McKeown - Player
Roger Wilkinson - Premier Skills
Eddie Austin - Austin Mckeown
“Gérard has been a huge influence on my development as a football player and has a vast knowledge of the game which he communicates well with his players”
Former RIASA Academy, SW Florida Adrenaline (PDL) and Bradford City Development Squad
Eddie Austin - Austin Mckeown
Eddie Austin - Austin Mckeown
Eddie Austin - Austin Mckeown
“"I have known Gérard for several years and have always been impressed with his enthusiasm. His boundless energy in wanting others to succeed is a credit to his own positive outlook and his desire to enable others to overcome challenges"
Executive Director - Austin McKeown
Former Managing Director ITN Mark Education, CEO Core ECS Ltd
The Coaching Manual
Eddie Austin - Austin Mckeown
Jess Ibrom - Cook Islands FA
“Delighted to have Gérard on board as an Ambassador. He has had great experiences both in the UK and in the US and it would be fantastic to share that knowledge with a global coaching audience"
Paul Bright - Technical Director The Coaching Manual & National Coaching Director AYSO
Jess Ibrom - Cook Islands FA
Eddie Austin - Austin Mckeown
Jess Ibrom - Cook Islands FA
“Gérard is a dynamic coach who can quickly engage people and establish growth within an organisation”
Jess Ibrom - former Technical Director Cook Islands FA
Business awards
Business Awards
Business Awards
Business Awards
The following awards and lists are some of the accolades achieved as part of being a Director of Gérard School of Football, Premier Skills Yorkshire and Gérard Jones Enterprises including individual achievements since 2009.
Awarded in 2010
Business Awards
Business Awards
Gérard School of Football listed among the Top 100 Best Business Start-ups in the UK, reaching the ultimate hit list
Awarded in 2010
Business Awards
Awarded in 2010
Gérard Jones was awarded the Future 100 Young Entrepreneur of the Year award by Striding Out, sponsored by Natwest Bank
Awarded in 2014
Awarded in 2014
Awarded in 2010
Gérard Jones was awarded the JCI UK Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award for his entrepreneurial and business success in football coaching and coach development
Awarded in 2009
Awarded in 2014
Awarded in 2009
Gérard Jones was recognised by Enterprise UK, the then national charity for promoting enterprise,
as a inspiring example which involved supporting events up and down the UK
Awarded in 2010
Awarded in 2014
Awarded in 2009
Gérard Jones was listed among the region's success stories in Hull & East Yorkshire for his early growth with GSF
Media recognition
Gérard featured in a list conducted by the Institute of Public Policy Research North (IPPR North) of the Top 50 brightest and most talented people in the North of England 2011
SkySports Exclusive Interview following Gérard Jones joining Bristol Rovers FC
BBC Look North feature interview with Gérard Jones in 2010, following the growth of GSF
Gérard was listed among the Top 7 Young Entrepreneurs to watch in 2011 following an interview
Gérard featured in Real Business list of 5 inspiring young entrepreneurs in the UK 2014
Gérard featured in Condé Nast Magazine 'Journal' featured among Top 7 Young Entrepreneurs from Yorkshire
Also Featured in
Time-line
GSF Launches 2009!
Gérard co-founded Gérard School of Football in early 2009, originally based in Hull with Head Office at the University of Hull, GSF grew into the leading provider of football coaching in East Yorkshire, delivering programs in schools and grassroots teams, to running individual training, develop centers & junior academies.
Awarded "Ambassador Status" for Entrepreneurship in the UK in 2009
Gérard quickly grew the company from coaching a few kids into more than a 1000 each week! Coaching in several primary schools throughout Hull. As a young entrepreneur aged 19 when founded the company, Gérard caught the attention of Government Charity for Enterprise "Enterprise UK" chaired by BBC Dragons Den star Peter Jones! This led to Gérard being requested to speak at events and talk about his entrepreneurial journey throughout the UK
Best Business Start-up Award 2010
As a result of continued growth, GSF grew into coaching 1500-2000 kids week, securing sponsorships & grant funding and featuring on national TV. As a result, GSF was named among the Top 100 Best Business Start-ups List in 2010 by startups.co.uk
BBC Look North TV Debut
GSF continued reputation grew, featuring in national, regional and local press with major publications in The Guardian to featuring on a series of interviews online. As a result, The BBC contacted GSF to do a story on Gérard coaching journey, leading to odds of becoming a future England Manager by Bookmakers William Hill.
Securing Major Sponsorship
We secured sponsorship from multi-billion pound organisation British Land Plc through multi-million pound regenration project St Stephen's Shopping Centre, resulting in £10k partnership developing grassroots kids throughout East Yorkshire over 2 year period
Partnership with Arsenal FC operate Arsenal Soccer Schools 2010 & Awards to Follow!
GSF formed a partnership with Arsenal FC to operate Arsenal Soccer Schools in Hull & East Yorkshire, one of the largest soccer school programs in the world! As a result, establishing an Award-winning After School Club program and a series of Advanced Skills Centers for Boys & Girls aged from 5-12 years old.
GSF operating Arsenal Soccer Schools won a series of awards such as Best Activity for Children and was nominated for a host of sports coaching awards as an Approved Provider by Hull City Council & East Riding Yorkshire Council, including individual awards such as;
- Future 100 Young Entrepreneur of Year
- Top 50 Brightest & Most Talented in North of England
- Regional Success Story
- The Guardian Top 7 Entrepreneurs to Watch list
- Several others
Premier Skills Coaching
In 2012, GSF closed operations due to a family death and rebranded as Premier Skills Yorkshire, running player development programs such as Team Training for Grassroots clubs to establishing Advanced Skills Centers in Hull, Bradford, Leeds & York for boys aged 6-12 years old! Also evolving for the first-time into Coach Education, delivering accredited Practice-Play Coach Education Courses to GR clubs throughout Yorkshire! This led to delivering Player Development programs through West Brom Albion in NZ
Evolution to Gérard Jones Enterprises 2013
In January 2013, Gérard rebranded again as an Independent Contractor, under the name Gérard Jones Enterprises, trading as Gérard School of Football and with the launch of www.GerardSchoolofFootball.com - Gérard became an Academy Coach, College Head Coach and Independent Coach Educator, delivering mentoring program to Clubs throughout West Yorkshire, to working in professional soccer and around the world! This was the beginning of a new journey, having accumulated experiences of working in Grassroots soccer, to now working with elite players and gaining invitations onto specialist coaching courses, GSF and Gérard became recognised by Adidas UK as a "Grassroots Football Ambassador 2014", worked with PlayStation & The Premier League through the English Schools FA delivering activities throughout the North of England in Schools! Gérard still delivered private one-to-ones and hired a team of staff to deliver mentoring programs in clubs, establishing camps and skills centers throughout Yorkshire! Including working as a Speaker for School Speakers since 2010 and under own brand, delivering workshops on coaching and business in the UK, US and rest of Europe!
Awarded JCI UK "Outstanding Young Persons Award" 2014
Throughout the ups and downs and with hundreds of thousands having benefited from programs since 2009, along with committment to player development and personal development and his passion for inspiring others, Gérard was nominated for and listed among the Top Ten Outstanding Young People in the UK for business accomplishments and entrepreneurial success through football coaching,one of the most prestigious awards in the world!
Coaching Methodology becomes a Book
Following extensive research into Practice-Play methodology (Laudner 2001) and the use of Game-calls (key-words) using Academy players at EPPP Cat 3 Academy, Gérard's research became a book on how coaches can develop communication and the importance of having a clear vocabulary of work - titled Let's Talk soccer through Publisher Bennion Kearny in 2015
Professional Coaching
Gérard's experience grew, working as an Head Academy Coach at RIASA, working with Bradford City to coaching in the US as a Director of Coaching - Gérard had the privaledge of working with grassroots, college, elite and professional players and establishing curriculums across a range of programs
Supporting Organisations World-wide
Gérard became an in-demand speaker and presenter at key conferences and events around the world! Becoming recruited by Champions Speakers, award-winning agency that includes celebrities & personalities
Gérard Becomes Licensed US Soccer Instructor in 2018!
Following a return to the US, Gérard became a Director of Coaching at a youth club in NY and was later identified and recommended by State DOC to US Soccer Federation to become a Coach Educator for the Federation, on a invitation-only course - receiving specialist training to deliver Grassroots Coaching course using the Play-Practice-Play methodology and use of key-words
GSF Marks 10-year Anniversary in 2019!
Since starting the journey in 2009 providing professional coaching to grassroots players and teams, to gravitating into running coach education programs and coaching across all pathways including the professional game, GSF has evolved it's program provision over the years and continues to offer an outstanding service as an independent contractor!
Gérard is now a UEFA 'A' Licensed Coach, FA Advanced Youth Award & USSF Youth Soccer Specialist, with a focus on the use of Communication Psychology and practice-design!
Gérard becomes a Founder and Director of ULearnbly Limited
In a constant quest to share ideas and help improve coaches, Gérard created an online learning platform ULearnbly where coaches, researchers, students and leaders across all sports can access online courses, mentoring services and more via website www.ulearnbly.com and it's web-based & mobile device App.