Technical STAFF
Sam is an experienced football coach with over 16 years of experience across academy, university, college, international, and senior football environments. He holds a Master’s degree in Advanced Football Performance from the University of South Wales, a First-Class Honours degree in Coaching Development from Liverpool John Moores University, a UEFA B coaching license, and a Futsal Level 2 qualification.
He currently works with Portsmouth Football Club as Lead Coach and has previously served as a first-team manager in non-league football, coached at university and college level, and worked within international player development programs.
Sam’s coaching approach focuses on developing both the player and the person, creating a positive and challenging environment where players can grow, express themselves, and reach their full potential.
He currently works with Portsmouth Football Club as Lead Coach and has previously served as a first-team manager in non-league football, coached at university and college level, and worked within international player development programs.
Sam’s coaching approach focuses on developing both the player and the person, creating a positive and challenging environment where players can grow, express themselves, and reach their full potential.
Jake Gower
Men's Head Coach
Graduate of Solent University Southampton, where he developed his coaching foundation and earned his UEFA B license. Currently coaches at Portsmouth FC Academy and brings over 10 years of experience across grassroots and academy environments.
Has worked with top-level players within elite settings on the South Coast, with a strong focus on developing not only talented footballers but also well-rounded individuals. Combines technical knowledge with a player-centered approach, creating structured and engaging environments that encourage growth both on and off the pitch.
Has worked with top-level players within elite settings on the South Coast, with a strong focus on developing not only talented footballers but also well-rounded individuals. Combines technical knowledge with a player-centered approach, creating structured and engaging environments that encourage growth both on and off the pitch.
Tyler Butler
Men's Assistant Coach
Graduate of the University of South Wales, holding a UEFA B coaching license and over six years of experience across multiple levels of the game. Has developed his coaching background through consistent involvement in both academy and grassroots settings.
Focused on building professional habits in players on and off the pitch, with a strong commitment to their holistic development and long-term growth. Brings energy, structure, and a clear methodology to every session, aiming to create a positive and demanding environment that challenges players to improve daily.
Focused on building professional habits in players on and off the pitch, with a strong commitment to their holistic development and long-term growth. Brings energy, structure, and a clear methodology to every session, aiming to create a positive and demanding environment that challenges players to improve daily.
Tom Thorne
Men's Goalkeeper Coach
Semi-professional goalkeeper and aspiring UEFA C qualified coach with a full-time focus on goalkeeper development. Currently serving as a Goalkeeper Coach at the Wimborne Town Development Centre, bringing over three years of coaching experience.With a strong foundation in technical knowledge and practical playing experience, he focuses on key areas such as decision-making, positioning, consistency, and match confidence.
Tom is passionate about helping young goalkeepers progress to the next level through focused, position-specific training and tailored feedback. His goal is to create a high-performance environment where goalkeepers can develop the skills, confidence, and understanding needed to perform effectively on matchday.
Tom is passionate about helping young goalkeepers progress to the next level through focused, position-specific training and tailored feedback. His goal is to create a high-performance environment where goalkeepers can develop the skills, confidence, and understanding needed to perform effectively on matchday.
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Ed Hawkes
U23's assistant coach
With over five years of coaching experience and a UEFA C License, Ed has worked across a broad spectrum of levels, from grassroots football to JPL and county-standard players.
Now coaching in both the men's and women's game, he is committed to creating positive, high-energy environments centered on development and technical growth, holding both himself and his players to high standards.
Now coaching in both the men's and women's game, he is committed to creating positive, high-energy environments centered on development and technical growth, holding both himself and his players to high standards.
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Ronnie Aird
S&C Coach
Ronnie is a Strength and Conditioning Coach with a strong academic and practical background in athlete development, rehabilitation, and performance. He graduated from the University of Portsmouth with an MSc in Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation, alongside a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science.
He is currently completing his UEFA B Fitness Diploma and holds an aISCP Accredited Practitioner certification, as well as a UEFA C coaching license. With over eight years of football coaching experience, Ronnie has worked in semi-professional football environments with Gosport Borough and Petersfield Town, supporting player performance through strength and conditioning.
His experience also extends across multiple sports, including futsal, basketball, hockey, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and MMA, giving him a broad understanding of athletic development, injury prevention, and sport-specific performance.
He is currently completing his UEFA B Fitness Diploma and holds an aISCP Accredited Practitioner certification, as well as a UEFA C coaching license. With over eight years of football coaching experience, Ronnie has worked in semi-professional football environments with Gosport Borough and Petersfield Town, supporting player performance through strength and conditioning.
His experience also extends across multiple sports, including futsal, basketball, hockey, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and MMA, giving him a broad understanding of athletic development, injury prevention, and sport-specific performance.
Emily Smith
Men's Physiotherapist
Emily has an experienced sports therapist with a strong background across multiple sporting environments, with a particular focus on football. Currently working in clinical practice, she combines hands-on rehabilitation experience with evidence-based treatment methods to support athlete health, recovery, and long-term performance.
Her work is centered on injury prevention, rehabilitation, player welfare, and proactive injury management. With an individualized approach to care, she supports players in staying fit, healthy, and available for performance while helping create a professional, supportive environment that promotes development both on and off the pitch.
Her work is centered on injury prevention, rehabilitation, player welfare, and proactive injury management. With an individualized approach to care, she supports players in staying fit, healthy, and available for performance while helping create a professional, supportive environment that promotes development both on and off the pitch.
Violet Hoods
Content Creator
Violet is a third-year Media Production student at Bournemouth University with a passion for photography, videography, and content creation.
She enjoys capturing the action behind the camera and bringing stories to life through engaging visual content. Violet has loved working with the Select Generation team and looks forward to documenting the team’s progress throughout the season.
Outside of media production, she is a dedicated dancer who studied at The BRIT School for two years and has also been a member of the Bournemouth University Dance Team for two years.
She enjoys capturing the action behind the camera and bringing stories to life through engaging visual content. Violet has loved working with the Select Generation team and looks forward to documenting the team’s progress throughout the season.
Outside of media production, she is a dedicated dancer who studied at The BRIT School for two years and has also been a member of the Bournemouth University Dance Team for two years.
Sophia Taylor
Content Creator
Sophia is a third-year Marketing student at Bournemouth University and the Social Media Manager at Select Generation FC. Creative, enthusiastic, and passionate about social media, content creation, and digital marketing, she is excited to apply the skills and knowledge gained throughout her studies to her role.
Sophia looks forward to creating engaging content, strengthening the club’s online presence, and building meaningful connections with its audience through her creativity, communication, and organisational skills.
Sophia looks forward to creating engaging content, strengthening the club’s online presence, and building meaningful connections with its audience through her creativity, communication, and organisational skills.
club leadership
Sam is the co-founder of Select Generation and a FIFA Licensed Agent, based between Miami and our academy locations. Originally from Guildford, England, he played there until 18 before heading to the US, where he spent 3 years at Catawba College and finished at the University of New Hampshire as a 2-year starter and conference champion. He also played in the 2021 USL 2 national final with NC Fusion. Sam started Select Generation in Charlotte at 22 alongside Victor Cascon, and it has grown into a global agency & player development ecosystem with programs in Spain, England & Dubai.
He’s well connected across the college soccer pyramid and focused on placing players at winning programs that actually fit them, on and off the field! Listen to our podcast & follow his YouTube to travel with him as he scouts talent all over the world.
He’s well connected across the college soccer pyramid and focused on placing players at winning programs that actually fit them, on and off the field! Listen to our podcast & follow his YouTube to travel with him as he scouts talent all over the world.
Victor is the co-founder of Select Generation and our Head of International Programs, based in Salamanca, Spain. A former NCAA All-American who is still playing professionally, he started Select Generation alongside Sam in Charlotte with a passion for developing young players & a drive to help them grow, on and off the field!
Victor has strong connections to academies and professional clubs across Europe & the US, and today he runs our international programs in Spain, England & Dubai.
Victor has strong connections to academies and professional clubs across Europe & the US, and today he runs our international programs in Spain, England & Dubai.
Alex Henneberg
Select Generation FC Chairman
Club Chairman and active contributor to the operational side of Select Generation, working closely with the coaching staff to ensure that player registration, logistics, and administrative processes run smoothly behind the scenes. Also an international student-athlete parent, bringing valuable perspective and personal experience to the role.
Passionate about supporting the development of young players on and off the pitch, and committed to helping families navigate the opportunities that come with competing and growing in new cultural environments.
Passionate about supporting the development of young players on and off the pitch, and committed to helping families navigate the opportunities that come with competing and growing in new cultural environments.
A jack of all trades, Juliana brings strong experience in support for our athletes, families and coaches contributing to the daily functioning of Select Generation across multiple areas. Assisting with logistics, communication and smooth execution of our day-to-day activities.
Juliana is focused on keeping our teams organized and efficient, with a proactive approach that helps maintain consistency behind the scenes!
Juliana is focused on keeping our teams organized and efficient, with a proactive approach that helps maintain consistency behind the scenes!
