Meet the academy coaching team

A UEFA A Licence coach with the Advanced Youth Award, an MSc in Sports Coaching, qualifications in Sports Law, and experience as a Club Welfare Officer. With over two decades in player development across the male and female game, Dave specialises in creating environments that promote long-term growth, performance, and wellbeing.

His career includes senior management roles at West Bromwich Albion, the Football Association of Wales, and in wider sports management. Coaching roles at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Solihull Moors, the University of Wolverhampton, and the University of Birmingham have further shaped his expertise across academy, professional, and university settings.

As a former FA Coach Developer and Mentor, he has supported coaches at all levels, helping them strengthen their practice and deliver positive player experiences. Dave remains committed to raising standards and developing people through the power of sport.

Anna has played for Birmingham City, Coventry United, Leicester City and West Brom, and currently plays for Boldmere St Michaels. She has competed in the Women’s Championship as a full-time professional, gaining valuable experience at a high level of the game. Alongside her extensive playing career, she has coached at Birmingham City Centre of Excellence and the University of Birmingham Women’s team, further developing skills in mentoring and supporting players.

Anna has also spent 10 years teaching PE in primary schools, which strengthened her commitment to developing young people through sport and education. Academically, she holds a BA Honours degree in Sports Development and Coaching and is currently studying for a PGCE in Further Education. She is deeply passionate about developing young footballers, helping them grow both as athletes and as individuals, while ensuring they receive a high-quality education and the support needed to succeed on and off the pitch.

Gobinder has been at BMET for 25 Years in which time he has worked closely with individuals and teams to engage with positive psychology and growth mindset. Having completed his Doctorate, Gobinder is employing mental skills to support performers with self-awareness and emotional regulation to cope with pressure and develop a competitive mindset.

As a UEFA B license coach with 10 years of experience, and a former BMET sport student, Sam’s career has always been involved in football. His playing career reached step 5 in non-league before an injury cut it short. For nearly 8 years, Sam has been involved in non-league football, including 2 years as a manager at step 6 and nearly 2 years as Head of Pathway at Boldmere St Michael’s. During that time, Sam and his staff took two teams to the FA Youth Cup second round proper, facing Football League opposition.

Sam also coached as an FDP and YDP coach at a cat 3 football club, and is currently an FDP coach within a cat 1 football club. Sam is a huge believer in driving standards within young players to create not just the best players possible but also the best possible people.

David Ebberson is an experienced coach, coach educator, and practitioner with a strong background in player development and performance support across elite and pathway football environments.

David has a wide variety of coaching experience including roles within the semi professional game, the US college system, Walsall FC and with the England Schools national teams, gaining extensive experience across key stages of the player development pathway. He has also held roles with The FA and the Premier League during his career and continues to work as an FA Coach Educator and a Talent Reporter.

He holds an MSc in Coaching Science and a BA (Hons) in International Football Management, alongside professional qualifications including the UEFA B Coaching Licence, FA Level 2 Talent Identification, UKSCA-qualified Strength & Conditioning Trainer and Level 3 Personal Trainer.

His coaching and player development philosophy is athlete-centred and evidence-informed, with a strong emphasis on creating positive environments that support learning, teamwork and long-term development both on and off the pitch.

Jordan is an accomplished former professional footballer with 12 years’ experience in both the Premier League and the EFL. He is now transitioned into semi-professional football while continuing to develop expertise in coaching and management. Holding a UEFA B License, he is able to combine on-field knowledge and coaching qualifications to inspire and mentor the next generation of players, through the BMet football programme.

Donna started playing for Stoke City Centre of excellence from the age of 10.  From here she went on to play for Aston Villa, Manchester City, Wolves and Sporting Khalsa. Currently playing for Chasetown Women.  She also previously had England U19 trials and represented the county for many years.

Donna is currently holder of the Level 2 football badge and is working toward the UEFA B license. She has a degree in Sports Development and Coaching.  Donna is coaching U16 at present and manage U16 Futsal team for Hednesford Town FC.

She believes in player development from any age, learning the core basics in and out of possession. Team culture and a nurturing environment for all abilities to play and enjoy the game.

With over 20 years of experience in sports education, Ben has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality teaching across degree, higher education, and BTEC programmes. His teaching specialises in injury prevention, sports massage, and sports rehabilitation, drawing on both academic knowledge and extensive applied practice.

Alongside his educational leadership, Ben has been deeply involved in football for many years. For the past eight years, he has worked as a physiotherapist at Boldmere St Michaels and, more recently, at Smethwick Rangers, bringing real-world insight into injury management, athlete development, and performance support. This dual perspective enables him to effectively bridge theory and practice, enriching both his teaching and professional contribution to sport.

Sam has been coaching for 6 years, and opened a 1-2-1 football coaching business in 2020.  He is a firm believer in detail on the ball, tapping into the players’ mindset and developing their technical knowledge of the game.

As a UEFA C licensed coach, and having played for various clubs including Birmingham City, Walsall, Hednesford Town, Sam enjoys watching players grow and develop. For Sam, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing players develop, progress, and gain confidence through the process!

Stu is a UEFA B Licence coach looking to further undertake my A Licence.  His coaching journey comprises of 15 years coaching experience. His journey started at BMet, going on to also coach at Under 21’s Lichfield City FC.

Stu has played as a forward in his junior and adult career, and continues to play now; he is still enjoy playing over 50’s football and recently played for West Midland’s County in a win against England over 50’s.

His coaching style is very much player centred, with a focus on technical development, aiming to foster individual player improvement alongside continual emphasis on Teamwork, trust and effective communication.

With over 30 years of experience in elite women’s football, Katryna Cresswell-Lane is a highly respected UEFA B-license coach with an extensive track record across both performance and development environments. Coaching the college team for over 20 years with successes including, 5x National 5-a-side titles, 3x Futsal National titles, 7x West Midlands league Champions. The college programme has also successfully progressed players into England Colleges women’s team and current WSL teams.

Katryna’s coaching career includes senior roles such as Assistant Coach for England Colleges, U16 Coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Head of the Girls’ Academy at West Bromwich Albion, and Head Coach of the University of Birmingham Women’s team. A former coach educator, Katryna also has FA Youth Award qualifications to go alongside her extensive coaching experience. Complementing this expertise is a distinguished playing career, including ten years at National League level with Wolverhampton Wanderers and representation at England Universities level.

This unique blend of high-level coaching leadership and elite playing experience underpins a deep understanding of athlete development, performance pathways, and the women’s game.