Meet The Team
Kingsway Athletic FC Staff
Get to know the dedicated coaches and passionate staff behind Kingsway Athletic FC. We come from all walks of life and are united in our passion to help young people get involved in sports! If you're looking for information about the club, football or sports in general please speak to one of our incredible coaches! Read more about our individual professional coaches below.
Nathan McDonald
Kingsway Athletic FC & DDSM Founder
Chairman & Welfare Officer
I have worked with children for over 10 years. In a variety of settings, such as Nurseries, Primary Schools, High Schools, Youth centres, PRU’s, Community events. You name it...and many more! In all settings I found the same thing in common, physical activity and sports has always brought children out of their shells and allowed many to blossom and really express themselves.
Working in many Schools in South Manchester I felt that not enough was being done to give opportunities to children in the area of Burnage/Levenshulme and surrounding areas so I opted to set up Kingsway Athletic FC. Kingsway Athletic FC was established in 2014, it started with lots of enthusiastic children all running around on a School field at Green End Primary and St Bernard’s Primary, I had no idea how far it could come in a short space of time. This has allowed for many children and families to access Sports on a weekly basis and has brought hundreds of people together to represent Kingsway Athletic Football Club.
Kingsway Athletic FC has grown from strength to strength, this down to the great community feel the club has and the commitment and consistency from coaches, parents, guardians and children all done with a lot of Fun and positivity. Above everything we promote fair play, respect and hard work at Kingsway Athletic FC and hope to inspire the next generation to work hard, think forward and achieve.
Leon McLeod
Club Secretary and U10's Coach
The elder statesman of the committee.
I've been at KAFC for nearly 3 years now and have loved every moment of my experience. I've always had a passion for football, teaching and coaching.
Having played the game at a decent level representing Manchester City, Stoke City and Crewe Alexandra as a school boy I found myself thirsty to learn more and I see myself as a real student of the game.
I've been coaching since I was 17/18 years old and have the same drive and enthusiasm now as I did when my coaching Journey began.
Level 2 qualified, I have coached several teams, adults, children and young people in a variety of settings including the USA, Czech Republic and Germany.
I like to encourage players to play with freedom. To gain a sense of achievement by empowering them to reach goals, and above all to have fun and enjoy themselves.
I look forward to a bright future with KAFC.
Shauna Edmonson
Club Treasurer and U15's Girls Coach
I joined the club in 2015 and have worked extremely hard to develop all the children at KAFC. I have specialised in working with girls in the club aswell as our KAFC Kickers & Just Play. I try to bring great energy and euthasiam to the club along with a positive attitude. I have experience in Football playing for both Manchester City and United Girls when I was younger.
Dave Scott
Club Secretary and U9's Coach
Nick
Ryan Nolan
U13's Coach
I’ve always been crazy about football, playing and watching for the last 25 years but I had never considered coaching. My son Charlie has been at the club since the early days. I could see from the beginning the fantastic work the club were doing to inspire children and in such a relaxed environment which from my football experience is completely unique. I felt I really needed to help in some way and offered to support as a Parent Lead. Nathan got me a jacket and marched me outside and I've been there ever since. I completed my Football & Futsal coaching qualifications the following year and currently manage our U8’s boys team along with a few other bits at the club.
Like many others my coaching philosophy is continuously developing whilst always encouraging players to achieve to the best of their ability, play with freedom and enjoy their football!
For me the club is not just a group of people who wear the same badge. It’s a big family that I’m proud to be a part of.
Rizwan Ul-Haq
U10's Coach
I have a passion for all sports but football is my main passion. I’m experienced in coaching younger children all the way up to open age football. I’m certified in Futsal level 1 and currently doing my FA level 2 Football. I constantly thrive to develop myself and the people/children I work with, making sure I can get the best out of them and myself while making sure each session is enjoyable and challenging. I believe learning to cope with defeat is just as important as winning as you can’t win every game. I believe Football can teach you valuable life skills in developing confidence and creativity along with fitness, balance and coordination. I also have a keen interest in boxing and martial arts and sometimes incorporate certain exercises and stretches learnt from this into my sessions. I am happy with where things are going personally and happy working with Kingsway Athletic as it’s also helped me to practice and hone my skills as a coach.
Olly Pitts
Assistant Coach
My background in football: played for a football team since I was 5 years old. Played for Burnage Rangers, Spurley Hey and Didsbury Juniors.
Refereed from the age of 13 and coached since I was 14. Hold level one in refereeing and coaching.
Travelled to Cape Town to coach 5000 children in ten days with HQ coaching company.
Involved in Kingsway because of the positive community spirit and the togetherness. Good to give back to the area I grew up and provide sporting opportunities to local children in community.
Danny Daly
Parent Lead U8's
My son Charlie started coming just over a year ago and was my introduction to the club.
Since then I’ve been helping Dave with the U8's which I’ve enjoyed and offered more support since then.
All my experience is this area is purely based on my days playing Sunday League. I have always loved football both playing and also following Manchester United.
For me I got involved as when I was a Kid I wouldn’t of been able to play as much if it wasn’t for my friends Dad taking me to games and I know this still impacts some Kids whose parents/guardians won’t have cars etc. Also I believe kids need something to focus on and need more guidance when it comes to developing skills both physically and socially.
What I will also say it that I’m not sure I would of been so keen to be involved if it wasn’t for seeing the commitment by all those at the club and the ethos, ensuring everyone is involved and gets an opportunity something I know a lot of clubs don’t offer!
Craig Hurst
Parent Lead U11's
My son plays for the club and has been here for around 18 months now and really loves it. He was a little shy at getting involved at first but since he has been coming he has come out of his shell and loves coming to training and playing matches on Saturdays.
Nathan asked if i would become a parent lead and as i attend regularly every week and i am really enjoying it. I see my role as being an assistant to the coaches and muck in wherever needed.
I have a good relationship with the boys in my sons team and they all know me well now. The club ethic at KAFC is very important to me as we have similar views on how the club progresses and the way they want the kids to learn and improve without having too much pressure put on them so they can just enjoy their football.
I'm not much of a player myself but have been an avid Bolton Wanderers fan for 30 years and a season ticket holder for over 20 years.
Paul Crain
Parent Lead U12's Girls
My daughter Shelby plays for the under 12 girls at KAFC. I joined KAFC as a parent lead about 10 months ago.
I played a lot of football from a young age including playing for Manchester Boys when I was 15. I played a lot of Sunday league football and stopped playing when I was 44. I coached a Sunday league adults team for 3 years and in that time we won 4 trophies. As soon as my daughter got into football at KAFC I started watching her which was over 3 years ago. I decided I wanted to get involved with kids football and volunteered to become a parent lead at the club and its been a pleasure to be involved and watch all the kids at the club grow.
Mark Cox
Parent Lead U13's
My son Kyle joined three seasons ago he plays for the under 13's.
Me myself have played football from the age of eight and hung my boot up at 32 years of age playing both Saturdays and Sundays from that I coached adults teams and got my level 7 in refereeing.
My passion in football is Manchester City, me and are season ticket holders.
I decided to be a parent lead to show my appreciation to Nathan and the other coaches for what they do for our children but since doing it i have got the bug from the satisfaction you get helping these children grow and develop there is definitely something different and speacial about this club there is a great atmosphere around the place.