National Conference for Heads of Football
Monday 3 February 2025 in Oxford
In Association with ISFA
Dates & Venues
In association with
Football continues to grow in independent schools, for both boys and girls. With this comes a number of challenges for the leaders of the programmes, many of which are new for schools. Establishing a culture around the game, with which schools are comfortable, is part of the challenge of managing the growth.
Another is finding a place for the game within an already crowded sports programme, which has other, well-established winter sports, especially for girls. This is compounded by the competition landscape, operating across both terms, often with an unpredictable knockout structure.
Unlike most sports played in independent schools, the country’s top 18 year olds are rarely still in the school environment. Finding an appropriate post-school pathway therefore constitutes a unique challenge, and one in which the US university scholarship route is increasingly attractive. Managing parental expectations is a significant part of this.
This year’s annual conference will address all of these issues, as well as the development of high quality coaching to match the requirements of a growing game. It will enable Heads of Football to become aware of trends and developments at a national level, to inform their increasingly complex task of leading Football within the school environment.
It will also, of course, be an opportunity to network with like-minded professionals in a convivial environment.
This conference is run in association with the Independent Schools' Football Association which is affiliated to The Football Association and is recognised by The FA as the body responsible for the development of the game in the independent sector.
Programme
9.30am
Conference assembles – refreshments
10.00am
Creating a Positive Football Culture
Neil Rollings
Professional Association of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools
10.20am
ISFA Update: Competition and other Developments for Boys and Girls
Ian Bent, Head of Football Operations, Independent Schools’ Football Association
11.00am
Discussion Forum and Feedback to ISFA
11.15am
Refreshment Break
11.30am
The ISFA Under 18 team: Management and Playing Strategy
Jono Santry, ISFA U-18 Manager
12.45pm
Lunch
1.30pm
Football Scholarships in US Universities
Jono Santry, Head of Futures, Millfield School
2.00pm
Balancing Performance and Development: Child-first Coaching
Tom Hartley, Former Arsenal Academy & Arsenal Women Development Manager
2.30pm
Dominating Play with a High Press
Tom Hartley
3.30pm
Conference Disperses
In association with
Speakers
Sarah Murray
Sarah is a high performance coach and experienced performance psychologist. Sarah works with teams, individuals and leaders to enhance self-develop and understanding those they lead. Sarah has over 14 years’ experience working with individuals in elite sport , business and education. She has worked with a range of national sporting teams and organisations including 9 years working with Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.
Jono Santry
Jono is the current Head of Futures at Millfield School, England U18 Manager for Independent Schools FA and writer for The Parents Week. Prior to this Jono was an Acedemy coach at Premier League Crystal Palace and a Manchester United Soccer Schools coach. Jono has over 16 years’ experience of teaching and coaching football within the independent school sector.
Tom Hartley
Tom was the Arsenal Academy Head Coach working with elite boys and girls. Tom was also the Arsenal Women's Development Manager. Prior to this he worked at Oxford United, Swindon Town and The Football Association as a FA Skills coach. Tom has over 20 years of working across the Athlete and Coach development pathway as a coach, coach developer and leader.
Neil Rollings
Neil was Director of Sport in four independent schools, over a 21-year career. He was Chairman of HMC NE Games Masters' Conference and an Independent Schools Inspector. Neil now works with schools in the UK and overseas, developing sports programmes and appointing Directors of Sport. He is a member of the RFU Schools' Partnerships Group, contributor to the Government Task Force on the Future of PE, member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood. He was Chairman of the Professional Association of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools for 15 years, and is Course Director of the University of Buckingham MA programme in Leading School Sport.
Prices
1 PLACE £219
2 PLACES £349
3 PLACES £449
All prices exclude VAT
Conference runs 9.30am – 3.30pm. Prices include catering and resources. In the event of you needing to cancel a place on a course, please note we require ten working days' notice.