Chris Smith

Experience

• 

  Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh

  Aug 2009 - Jun 2015

  As Head Coach of HWUFC I was responsible for all aspects of football development within the university. Key duties involved: • Developing a long term playing philosophy for the club to guide future decision making• Designing and implementing a training programme across all four performance teams• Managing the 1st team squad as they competed in two separate leagues at the same time• Recruited players, including managing the annual football club trials for 150+ players• Developing the coaching staff within the club via weekly mentoring sessionsKey Achievements:✓ Led the 1st team to promotion to the East of Scotland Premier League✓ 11 players were promoted and successfully integrated into the 1st team Show less Led the complete development of the U21 squad - the stepping stone to the 1st team at the university and a critical part of ensuring there is a steady stream of players making the step up each season. Designed and delivered a training programme that developed the players' technical and tactical knowledge while ensuring they were ready for 1st team football. Key Achievements:✓ Won a 2012 cup double - the Johnston Cup and Murphy Cup✓ Helped 20+ players earn promotion to the 1st team over the four year period Show less

  • Head Football Coach

    Jul 2013 - Jun 2015

  • U21 Football Coach

    Aug 2009 - Jul 2013
• 

  Scottish Universities Sport

  Sept 2010 - May 2013

  Scottish Universities National Team Assistant Coach

  Supported the Head Coach in the delivery of the Scottish University Football Programme - delivering training sessions, contributing to match analysis and player recruitment, fulfilling kit / administration responsibilities, etc. Key Achievements:✓ Won the Home Nations Tournament

• 

  Wattcell FC (Futsal)

  Aug 2015 - Sept 2018

  Head Coach

  • Manage and drive the coaching and performance of the first team across the Scottish Futsal League and Cup competitions• Develop a long-term playing philosophy for the club and ensure this is implemented across training and match days• Design, plan and implement appropriate training sessions to incorporate technical and tactical elements of the game• Contribute to the scouting and recruitment of players who compliment the current squad and can bring value to the team

• 

  Scottish Football Association

  Jan 2016 - Mar 2020

  • Manage 4 National Football Development programmes (highlighted below) and 20+ members of staff. • International Coach Educator & lead on the delivery of Coach Education for the South East Region, delivering 20+ courses/workshops each year. Most recently designed the Level 1.2 & 1.3 Futsal Coaching Courses. • National Lead on the School of Football programme since it was introduced in 2008. Specific remit for its coaching curriculum, theory programme and academic accreditation. • Deliver the Scottish FA Volunteer Inspire Programme for the region. This includes forging strong partnerships with all the colleges/universities, working together to identify students with high coaching potential. These coaches are then placed within our grassroots clubs/community programmes and mentored through their Scottish FA/UEFA Coaching Licences. • Design & implement the Coach Development CPD programme for the South East Region including coach mentoring for Level 2 C Licence & Children’s Award candidates.• Established a Regional Adult Futsal league with 18 teams over 2 venues and a committee of dedicated volunteers to help sustain & grow the game.Key Achievements:✓ Designed the SFA Level 2 Futsal Award✓ Key figure in developing the School of Football, Coach Mentoring and Futsal programmes Show less • Support the planning of the training and competition programme for the U17 Women’s National Team and ensure the effective delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the programme.• Provide feedback and where appropriate data to clubs with players involved in the WU17 National Team and wider performance programmes. • Assist with the continuous recruitment & identification of players that can meet the demands of Women’s international Football. Key Achievements✓ Secured qualification to the European Elite Round 2017/2018, 2018/2019 & 2019/2020 Show less

  • Opposition Scout – Scottish Women’s National Team

    Jul 2017 - Mar 2020

  • Player & Coach Development Manager

    Aug 2008 - Mar 2020

  • Assistant Coach Women’s U17 National Team

    Jul 2017 - Feb 2020

  • Under 16’s Girls Regional Head Coach

    Mar 2017 - Jan 2019

  • Assistant Manager for the Scottish National Futsal Team

    Jan 2016 - Mar 2017
• 

  Celtic Football Club

  Mar 2020 - now

  • Manage the International Soccer Academy Programme in North America, currently numbering 25+ International Partner Clubs and 30+ Celtic Coaching Staff (both full and part time) while seeking opportunities to increase the partner club portfolio• Responsible for the remodelling of the programme in 2020 with a key focus on adding an innovative Coach Education strand including their first ever Coach Education Course, Online Mentoring Programme & Coach Mentor Scheme• Implemented interactive online programmes across each of the three partnership strands to develop year round engagement with coaches/players from our partner clubs• Modernised staff training to include online learning and coach education delivery• Manage key commercial partnerships in order to generate additional exposure and revenue Show less

  • Head of Soccer Academy

    Jul 2021 - now

  • Senior International Soccer Academy Manager

    Mar 2020 - Jul 2021