Find out more about our FITC staff.
Corin Haines
Below, you can find out more about our full time staff - we look forward to seeing you at a course soon!
Colchester United's Football in the Community programme employs a number of full time coaches, as well as several sessional staff to deliver the best in sporting provision for schools and local groups.
From: Colchester
Job Title: Community Manager
What was your pathway into becoming a FITC member of staff?
I was employed by Colchester United back in 2000 at the age of 15, just two weeks after completing secondary education. This role was as an apprentice coach balancing supporting the coaching team and completing my further education.
Throughout my apprenticeship, I gained valuable experience shadowing more senior coaches in a range of activities. Since completing my apprentice some 13 years ago, my roles have included managing the Community Soccer Centre at Layer Road, Football Development Officer for the Shrub End Community Project and for the last two years Community Manager.
Throughout my 15 years working at Colchester United I have worked with so many superb people, and the breadth of roles and responsibilities I have experienced has given me a vast amount of sound knowledge to lead the Football in the Community programme forward.
FITC responsibilities: Within my role as Community Manager I have responsibility for the Football in the Community Programme, its staff, participants, and partners both operationally and strategically.
Other football interests: Currently completing my UEFA A licence. I enjoy observing all forms of the game at different levels, along with mentoring coaches of clubs within the grassroots game.
Your one personal aim for FITC in the next twelve months: To ensure we continue to enrich the lives of the people within our communities through high quality, engaging and inspiring sporting provision.
Mark Foster
From: Maldon
Job Title: Grassroots Development Co-ordinator
How did you get to where you are now?
I began coaching at 14 and commenced the qualification pathway at 16. Following my A levels, I studied Coach Education & Sports Development at University of Bath which included a placement year coaching in USA. Following graduation in 2014, I spent a year coaching at Cardiff City FC before moving back to Essex in 2015 to take up a role at Colchester United. I am UEFA B qualified and am an A licence candidate.
Day to day responsibilities
I co-ordinate all term time programmes and holiday activities. I also coach within the Academy and Development Centres.
Other interests
Cricket, Karate, sport psychology and Spanish speaking (wherever possible!)
Your one personal aim for FITC in the next twelve months
Growth. We have some fantastic programmes from Soccer Kids through to Development Centres and even Walking Football for the over 50’s. Add to that, great coaches and venues and we have something to be proud of.
Karl Andrade
From: Colchester
School Sports Co-OrdinatorJob Title:
What was your pathway into becoming a FITC member of staff?
Over the years I’ve progressed as a coach and a person to secure a full time position at Colchester United Football in the Community.
I was able to enhance my coaching ability by working closely with many excellent coaches. In the following year I began a degree in Sports Management which was a part time course, this allowed me to work as a part time sessional coach for Colchester United.
After leaving TLA I attended the Colne Football College for 2 years where I completed my Level 1 & Level 2 coaching qualifications, during this time I volunteered at Colchester United shadowing and supporting with their coaching delivery.
FITC responsibilities: Within my role I’m responsible predominately for co-ordinating the school sports programme on a day to day basis, this often includes liaising with schools to meet their requirements, in addition I am responsible for running our Kinder + Sport projects.
Other football interests: A mixture of playing, watching Man Utd when time allows and coaching/developing players through local club sides. I also enjoy watching all games and learning/developing my knowledge with regards to team tactics and formations.
Your one personal aim for FITC in the next twelve months: To continue to improve the School Sports Programme
Adam Hampson
From: Colchester
How did you get to where you are now?
After leaving school I was offered a place at the Colne football college where I gained BTEC and A level qualifications whilst also completing my level 1 and 2 football coaching badges.
I then went onto study a degree in sports management at Colchester institute which allowed me the opportunity to work as a part time coach for the community sports trust whilst completing my degree and gave me valuable working experience.
Once I had graduated I firstly combined my coaching with an admin role, and was then offered a full time role as a community sports coach, leading on the development centre programme which I have now co-ordinated for the past two years.
Day to day responsibilities: Recruiting talented players from within the community to develop through our weekly coaching programme, including arranging match play opportunities for these boys to play other professional centres, elite squads and academy groups.
Courses/programmes covered: FITC Development centre Co-ordinator and I work in the foundation phase with the U10s at the CUFC Academy
Other football interests: Part time footballer for Stanway Rovers, big Liverpool fan
To grow the development centre programme in Colchester and Maldon and get as many boys signed as possible into the academy.Your one personal aim for FITC in the next twelve months: