Gérard Jones

Co-founder and Director of GérardSchool of Football Ltd

Former youth player at previously known Halifax Town AFC (when professional), along with trial spells at Stockport County FC, Mansfield Town FC and Doncaster Rovers FC; Gérard has played at both youth and reserve level for professional football clubs but unfortunately got released at the age of 19. First non-league player to feature in the world’s biggest football magazine FourFourTwo ‘I’m Abit Special’ Article, Gérard has been scouted by Middlesbrough FC and Chelsea FC among others as well as turning down offers to play in the USA on a scholarship to pursue a career as a professional football and life skills coach and entrepreneur.

Gérard has coached at Halifax Town Centre of Excellence / Shadow Squad, Calderdale College Football Academy, East Riding County FA within development centres, University of Hull Football Teams including being a scout at Bradford City FC Centre of Excellence.

Having held positions at other professional football clubs that included roles as an official consultant in performance analysis and player development, he launched the Gérard School of Football Ltd with father Bryn and mother Fran in February 2009.

Gérard is one of Yorkshire’s most promising entrepreneurs having been awarded the prestigious role of being an Enterprise UK Ambassador, a national campaign which is chaired by leading entrepreneur Peter Jones and endorsed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Gérard's role is to encourage, inspire and increase entrepreneurial and enterprising behaviour among people in the UK delivering several inspirational speeches. 

He is also an ambassador for icould on the Youth Board, a free, independent online resource which offers people of all ages, ideas, direction, inspiration and hope for their futures.
Celebrities such as senior business people (WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell and Sir Richard Branson), TV presenter Davina McCall and Fun Loving Criminals musician Huey Morgan along with professional sports athletes (such as Olympic sprinter Jeanette Kwayke) have all taken part in this national initiative, which is managed by CRAC: The Career Development Organisation.

Following his successful rise in business and professional coaching, Gérard is also the brain-child behind revolutionary private school - Gérard School of Football Premier Academy, which is to be based at Lilleshall National Sports Centre, becoming the UK's first No1 Academic Life and Football Performance Training Institution for the development of the UK's ultimate student-athletes.

But that's not all, Gérard has recently implemented his latest, innovative program, which revolves around the total individual development of young people - making students at secondary school level and above, more enterprising, gaining business knowledge and strong mental skills to progress in life through the implementation of life & communication skills to become more successful and achieve their dreams.

The philosophy behind the program is based on his unique characteristics, beliefs and life experiences that have made him develop this strong, adaptable program that allows young people to think big and overcome every obstacle they may face.

This supports Gérard’s claims as he is also a guest speaker for Enterprising People, appointed by Hull City Council to deliver world-class speakers with a twist, designed to inspire, excite and engage young people in the city.

He recently secured a £5000 pound sponsorship deal from multi-billion pound organisation British Land PLC through St Stephen’s Shopping Centre. For Gérard Jones this will be adding to his busy schedule. Recently he has been nominated for the 'What's On 4 2010' Awards by parents in 'Best Local Activity' for children aged 5-12 among other categories, Daily Mail 'Enterprising Young Brits Awards' 2010 in New Start-Up and Open categories, ‘Customer Kings Awards’ 2010, ‘Yorkshire Forward Innovator of Year’ 2010 Awards in Innovation in Action and Young Innovative Business Award Categories and ‘East Riding of Yorkshire Council Chairman's’ COMMUNITY Award for Individuals & Chairman's BUSINESS Award for Young Entrepreneur 2010 to name but a few.

This follows reaching the Top 20 in the world for 'Queen's Entrepreneurs Competition' and being invited to join the UK’s leading business and enterprise education charity Young Enterprise UK that will see Gérard contributing to Young Enterprise UK’s vision, to inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise.

Not only is Gérard being nominated for numerous awards but he is also rubbing shoulders with top celebrities such as Rt Lord Mandelson among others.

For a 20yr old, full time student studying a BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching & Performance he isn't doing to badly!

Why not read his inspiring story:
http://www.enterpriseuk.org/inspiring_stories/grard_jones_grard_school_of_football_ltd

Read his recent sponsorship & other publications: http://www.hull.co.uk/news.asp?pageid=74&NewsID=1312&MediaCategoryID=3

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kingston-upon-Hull-United-Kingdom/Gerard-School-of-Football/69419654451

http://www.youthenterprise-hull.co.uk/£5000-blossoms-40

Qualifications, Certificates, Expertise & Awards:
- Currently studying BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching & Performance
- UEFA Licensed Coach
- Recipient of KNVB Youth Football Coaching Award
- BTEC National Diploma in Sports Development & Fitness (Triple Distinctions)
- Holder of East Riding of Yorkshire Council Sports Development & Business Team – Accreditation Certificate for GSF
- Business Member of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce
- Enterprise UK Ambassador
- icould Ambassador – Youth Board Member
- Young Enterprise UK – Business Volunteer for Company Programme, Team Programme & Enterprise In Action Programmes
- Official Supporter of Hull’s Enterprising Young People
- Official Supporter of Hull City AFC Enterprise Academy
- Official Supporter & Ambassador for One Difference Campaign (Global Ethics Organisation)
- Part of the Networking Village that supports young people’s aims and aspirations
- Guest Speaker for Enterprising People
- Inspirational Speakers4Schools – Inspirational & Motivational Guest Speaker
- Sports Coach UK Equity in Your Coaching Certificate
- Sports Coach UK Curriculum Awareness Certificate
- Sports Coach UK Positive Behaviour Management Certificate
- Sports Coach UK Safer Recruiting Certificate
- HSCB Safeguarding Children Level 1 Award
- FA Safeguarding Children Award
- FA Emergency First Aid Award
- Level 2 Certificate in Sports First Aid
- Certificate in Sports Medicine – Sports Medic Award
- NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Drug Awareness
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Performance Analysis & Performance Analysis in Action
- Introduction to Coaching Pedagogy
- Introduction to Training Theory
- Applied Issues in Training Theory
- Motor Control & Learning
- Anatomy & Biomechanics
- Functional Human Physiology
- Principles of Human Movement
- Research Methods
- Sports Psychology
- Performance Enhancement & Injury Prevention
- Ageing, Obesity & Health
- Advanced Sports Psychology
- Sports Coaching
- Sports Leaders UK – Community Sports Leadership Award Level 1
- YMCA Central Qualifications- Certificate in Assistance Fitness Instructing Resistance Training Level 1
- YMCA Central Qualifications-Exercise and Fitness Knowledge Unit Certificate Level 1
- Valid Enhanced CRB ‘Approved by Hull City Council through an Umbrella application’ for Gérard School of Football from Hull City Council Lead Counter signatory / Head of Safeguarding
- GSF Nominated CRB Officer
- Statement of Achievement Scheme of Unit Accreditation North Yorkshire LEA in Football
- Statement of Achievement Scheme of Unit Accreditation North Yorkshire LEA in Badminton
- Statement of Achievement Scheme of Unit Accreditation North Yorkshire LEA in Basketball