About Youth Athletic Development Education

We believe young people should be provided with high quality athletic development sessions from a young age, to allow them to become competent at moving and staying as injury free as possible. Therefore we developed this website to provide coaches, parents, and teachers with practically applied and scientifically backed articles to support their delivery.  

The website was founded by Ashley Downing. Ash is currently a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Sheffield Hallam University, National Lead for England Basketball U17 Men's, and Sheffield Football Club Women's First Team. He's also an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield College and Specialist Visiting Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. Ash has a 1st Class BSc (hons) Sport Coaching degree and is currently studying a MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science degree. 

Ash has been involved in youth athletic development for many years. Running youth athletic development sessions for primarily football and tennis players from amateur to elite levels. Ash is a qualified football coach previously coaching for West Bromwich Albion and a local development centre in Sheffield. He has experience coaching academy level players and managing squads against academies and elite development centres.