The 2023/24 season will be Craig's 10th year with the football club having been the U18 manager the year before the formation of the Academy. Craig oversees the whole academy operation from U12 to reserve team football (male & female). He has a proven track record of team & individual player success. Noticeable he was lead coach of ECFA U19 team that reached the national final & our U18 FA Youth Cup team who lost by the odd goal to AFC Wimbledon in the second round proper.

Danny Laws - AFC Sudbury Head of Football
BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science
PGCE QTS - Physical Education
UEFA A Licence
FA Coach Developer

Danny, like Craig is now into his 10th season with the football club having managed AFC Sudbury Reserves before creating the AFC Sudbury Academy. Danny has over 25 years of experience working with male & female players both in the professional game & grassroots. One of Danny's coaching successes came in 2005 as the manager of Suffolk FA U18 who won the FA County Youth Cup.

Dave Cannon - AFC Sudbury Academy Head of Education
BSc (Hons) Sports Science & English Literature
PGCE QTS - Physical Education
UEFA B License

Dave played a key part in the Academy formation and also now is into his 10th season with the football club. A previous pastoral head of year at two high schools. 2022/23 was a busy season for Dave as he led our Academy girls to the National League Premier title and also the National Football Youth League Cup Winners within the Wednesday games Programme. He also managed AFC Sudbury Reserves to their first Suffolk Senior Cup final and a record points tally in the Thurlow Nunn North Division.

Darren Scoulding - AFC Sudbury Academy Head of Girls Football
Welfare & Safeguarding Qualified
UEFA B License
FA Youth Award

Darren is a key figure in Suffolk football having previously worked for the Suffolk FA. Darren leads our girls programme and has played a significant role in growing the girls academy at Sudbury over the past four years. Darren also has been responsible for forming three youth development phase teams at the Academy which will compete in the Junior Premier League. Darren is a coach mentor to many local coaches & also is the Suffolk FA U14 girls manager having been the Suffolk FA U16 girls manager for the past three years.

Geoff Godwin - AFC Sudbury Academy Tutor & Coach
BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science
PGCE QTS - Physical Education
UEFA B License
FA Youth Award

Geoff joins our Academy for September 2023 having previously been a P.E Teacher at Clacton County High School. Geoff has also managed various youth development phase teams over the past five years at AFC Sudbury and most noticeable is the only coach to win the prestigious Suffolk FA Minor U15 Cup with two different age groups, his most recent winning team are now second year students within our Academy. Geoff will play a key part in our students' academic progression.

Paige Fleming - AFC Sudbury Academy Physiotherapist
Level 3 emergency medical first aid in football (FA)
Level 6 in sports therapy
FdSC sports performance Accredited by Sports therapy association

Paige is a graduate of Hartpury university & joined our Academy in December 2022. She is responsible for the assessment, treatment & rehabilitation of all Academy students. Paige has become a very popular member of our staff team at the Academy and plays a key role in player care for both male & female academy students. Her close working links with Essex University has seen a number of intern students working alongside which is testament to the respect that Paige is held in by the university.

Ben Tracey - AFC Sudbury Academy Third Year Tutor & Strength & Conditioning Coach
BSc (Hons) Sports Science
BASES accredited lab tech sport and exercise scientist
Level 4 strength and conditioning coach
Level 3 personal trainer
Level 2 gym instructor,

Ben is now approaching his fourth year working with the Academy. He is responsible for the practical & theoretical delivery of our third year (year 14) programme alongside the S & C coaching programme for all academy students. Ben spent much of the 2022/23 academic year working with Josh Stokes which allowed Josh to develop muscle mass and help secure a professional contract. Ben has also represented our first team!

Theo Sims - AFC Sudbury Academy Tutor & Coach
MSc in Sport and Exercise Science
BSc 1st Class in Sport and Exercise Science
UEFA C
Level 2 fitness Instructing

Theo has worked across both primary and secondary eduction in his career to date and is the newest member to our Academy Team. Theo has had recent success with coaching female footballers which saw his team complete the league and cup double last season.

Stefan Robson- AFC Sudbury Academy Goalkeeper Coach

Stefan Robson is the specialist Academy goalkeeper coach who oversees all 16-19 goalkeepers at the Academy both male & female. Stefan is a vastly experienced goalkeeper coach having worked within step 4 and 5 of the male football pyramid and tier 4 of the womens football pyramid. He plays a key role in ensuring our goalkeepers reach their potential.