A popular top-level coaching academy co-founded by two of North Staffordshire’s footballing favourites has launched a charity arm to widen the support it can offer to young people.
Pro-Level Academy (PLA) was set up by Port Vale Captain Nathan Smith and former Vale skipper and current Oldham Athletic player Tom Conlon in 2021. It offers specialised football coaching, which enables anybody to access elite academy-standard coaching.
The aim is to bridge the widening gap between grass roots and academy football while offering young players a fun and healthy environment in which to learn the game and develop other skills.
Run from Keele University’s Sports Centre, more than 130 young people are on PLA’s books, taking part in group coaching, one-to-ones, technical and tactical sessions and team training.
As well as experienced players Nathan and Tom, the PLA team also includes top-level coaches such as owner and head coach Nick Ridgway – who has a UEFA A Licence – coaches Tom Farr and Kai Wilson as well as goalkeeper coach Lewis Beeston.
Such has been the success of PLA in its first two years, that a charity arm has now been set up. Pro Level Vision works to raise awareness and funds to support children who cannot get access to specialised football coaching.
Tom Conlon, pictured above during a training session, said: “It is a case that some children come from backgrounds where being able to access regular high quality football coaching falls out of their reach. So, the charity arm will work with the Pro-Level Academy to raise money to support them.
“The Academy level coaching we can offer shouldn’t just be for the small number of players who aspire to be future professional footballers but for all.
“Anyone can benefit from the technical, tactical and psychological work we do and the sessions boost confidence, leadership skills resilience and physical and mental well-being.”
Nathan added: “Because Tom and I are from the North Staffordshire area it is very rewarding to be able to give something back to the community in this way. We were both able to access elite level coaching and the benefits that come with that. So we want that to be available as far and wide as possible.
“We are very lucky at Pro-Level Academy because in Nick and the team of coaches we have some of the very best in the game. The sessions they lay on for the children are absolutely brilliant and inspiring. I have to take my hat off to them.”
To help raise awareness for the Pro Level Vision charity, a fundraising ball is being held. It will take place on Saturday March 23 at the Double Tree by Hilton, in Stoke-on-Trent.
The after-dinner speech will be made by ex-England cricket international Darren Gough and his wife Anna Gough.
Other guests will include personalities from the world of football, such as John Rudge and Port Vale post-war record goal scorer Tom Pope.
For more details or to book a place or package click here.
