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Gaffer
Verified coach 1 endorsement
TO
Verified coach

Tom Okafor

Academy Coach — U14

Northside FC Manchester, England

Development first. Every player leaves better than they arrived.

Coaching philosophy

01 / Method

At youth level the scoreboard is feedback, not the objective. We train in game-realistic scenarios, we rotate positions through the season, and we measure progress against individual development plans rather than the league table.

  1. 01

    Game-realistic practice over isolated drills

  2. 02

    Position rotation until U15

  3. 03

    Every player gets a development plan and a review each block

Licences & education

02 / Credentials
  • UEFA B Licence VerifiedThe FA · 2021
  • Youth Award Module 3 VerifiedThe FA · 2023

Career

03 / Track record

  1. Northside FC

    2021 — present

    Academy Coach — U14

    Four players signed to Category 2 academies.

  2. Salford Juniors

    2018 — 2021

    Foundation Phase Lead

    Rebuilt the foundation-phase curriculum around FIFA Football Language.

Skills

04 / Toolbox
  • Foundation phase
  • Individual development plans
  • Parent communication
  • Session design

Coaching attributes

05 / Attributes
LeadTeachThinkConnectPrepareAdaptGrow
Self · 82 avg
  • Lead80
  • Teach94
  • Think70
  • Connect92
  • Prepare82
  • Adapt72
  • Grow86

Session & matchday clips

06 / Evidence

  • Rondo progression — U14

    Training, Jan 2026

Endorsements

07 / Trust
  • “Tom is the coach parents ask for by name. Standards, warmth and a real curriculum.”
    Dan Whitfield
    Academy Manager, Northside FC

Gaffer CV · gaffercoaching.com/cv/tom-okafor

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