Mark Hunter
Head Coach
- Date Joined: 30th August 2016
*I am dedicated to providing my players with the most current coaching sessions and appropriate guidance throughout their career by continuing my professional development within the football industry; I have attained my UEFA B Licence and FA Youths Coaches Certificate, and I’m currently undergoing my Youth Modules & Plan to complete my UEFA A License within the near future.
* As a result of my senior positions at Pro-Academy of Football, I have been integral in the development and progression of several elite level youth players, with a number of talented youngsters signing for professional clubs such as Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United
* I am a hardworking, open and approachable coach who is highly adept at communicating with players and coaches at all levels of the game, I am able to build and maintain an excellent rapport with all my players and I utilise this relationship to ensure they play to their potential each week
*Mark also holds a range of ISSA, ICA and IFA fitness, nutrition/conditioning qualifications which are available upon request and is also First Aid Qualified & CRB Checked.

Qualifications/Accreditation
LMA
Identifying Potential Talent
2018FA
Youth Modules 1 - 3
2017FA
Futsal Level 1
2016LMA
Creating a Culture of Excellence
2015The Optimal Performance Institute
Associate Degree of Arts in Fitness Training
2008
ISSA Specialist In Sports Nutrition
2007FA
Youth Coaches Award
2005
ISSA Specialist In Sports Conditioning
2005UEFA
B Licence
1998FA
Safeguarding ChildrenUEFA
A Licence (Ongoing)
Career History
Canvey Island FC
Head of Coach Development/U18 Head Coach
2016 – PresentUpland Rangers FC
Player & Coach Development Coach
2011 – PresentPro Academy of Football
Director/Technical Head Coach
2009 – PresentWest Ham United FC
Academy/Development Coach
2009 – 2018Bowers & Pitsea FC
Head of Youth/First Team Coach
2011 – 2016Basildon United FC
First Team Manager/Assistant Manager
2013 – 2014Southend United FC
U10 Coach
2004 – 2005Brazilian Soccer Schools
Head Coach
2000 – 2004Leyton Orient FC
Advanced Player Coach
1997 – 2000
Key Achievements
- Helped develop and enhance the Canvey Island’s youth academy structure and improve the standard of coaching ? ??successfully growing the academy from 10 teams with no girls/ladies’ teams to 42 teams with 4 girls/ladies’ teams
- Worked with West Ham to set up an academy in Slovakia, and educate their coaches and players, and lay the foundations for a successful academy; took on a similar role within Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania
- Was asked by multiple Essex clubs to set up their player development structure and to support their coach education
- Has been successful in setting up numerous girl’s school football teams
- Successfully coached the first team at Bowers & Pitsea FC on to gain promotion to the Ryman league in the 2015/16 season
- With limited resources, finished 2nd in the Essex Senior League in their first season before winning it in their second season. After only one season in charge of the youth structure, achieved Standard Charter status.
- Has made tangible contributions towards the development of numerous players who have all progressed to a higher level
- With limited resources, Basildon United FC finished in their highest position in 10 years and reached the semi?final of the League Cup
- After taking charge of 23 competitive games, contributed towards the development of numerous players and helping them on to the next level of the game ? with five players undergoing a trial with Canvey Island FC
- Helped guide the senior and youth teams at Basildon achieve the FA Chartered Standard, supporting the development and improving upon the standard of coaching and playing within grassroots and junior football
- Has made significant impact on the development & progression of elite level youth players over the past 4 years, with numerous players signing for pro clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, Colchester United, Southend United & Ipswich