JJ O’Donnell Elite Football Academy

20 10

Academy Established

0 +

Players Coached Each Week

FA and UEFA Qualified Coaches

Academy Players

“As long as your child gets in the car after one of our sessions and says, ‘I enjoyed that’ then that is the most important thing to us!”

– JJ O’Donnell – Head Coach.

Our Football Classes

Wednesday Night Academy

Our Academy is our weekly session. Players work on all technical aspects of the game, with all of our sessions being as enjoyable as possible. Played on 4G at Cardinal Hume School in Gateshead.

Soccer Schools

Playing football in the School Holidays, there is nothing better. Fun competitions in the mornings, tournaments in the afternoon. Will you win a prize on competition day? Held at Gateshead Redheugh in Gateshead.

1:1 Sessions

Looking to improve any aspect of your game? Let us know what you would like to improve on and we’ll do the rest! Fun sessions with a big focus on enjoyment and improving.

Small Group Sessions

Join your friends or a few others and have that personal coaching session. Maximum groups of 4, with similar ability, this is a great way to get that extra coaching in a smaller environment.

Birthday Parties

Celebrate your birthday in style with a bespoke football-themed party package.

We organise it all, from the football to the food. Invite your friends, invite your family. One hour of coaching, fun games and fun tournaments. Then head up to our party room for delicious pizza.

Our Coaches

Learn from the Pro’s! Nearly all of our coaches have played Professional Football. What better way to learn than from coaches who have reached the Professional game! A great team we have with every child’s best interests at heart.

Our Gallery

JJ O’Donnell Elite
Football Academy's Gallery

1:1 Sessions

Wednesday Night Academy

Birthday Parties

Soccer Schools

Small Group Sessions

Our Coaches

Meet Our Coaches

JJ O'DONNELL

– HEAD COACH/DIRECTOR

Head Coach and director JJ had a Professional career spanning 12 years. The former Luton Town and Gateshead midfielder now plays in the National League North with Blyth Spartans.

Kane Bullock

– SOCCER SCHOOL COACH

Another young member of our coaching team, Kane was actually one of our first players to attend our Soccer Schools. Great with the children, you have got every chance of seeing Kane reliving his Soccer School days and joining in with the young players.

Scott Fenwick

– ASSISTANT HEAD COACH

Starting off in non-league, Scott got a move to then League 2 Hartlepool United. A prolific striker, Scott has played for clubs such as Tranmere Rovers and York City.

Matthew Elsdon

– SOCCER SCHOOL LEAD COACH

Matty come through the Academy system at Middlesbrough where he represented England at U17 level. Since then he’s gone on to play for Barrow AFC and Clyde. He currently plays for Blyth Spartans.

Charlie Cocoran

– SOCCER SCHOOL LEAD COACH

One of the younger members of the team, Charlie is a fantastic coach at our Soccer Schools. A real understanding of working with the children, all the children love him!

Ben Milburn

– SOCCER SCHOOL LEAD COACH

Hugo spent his scholarship days with then League 2 Grimsby Town. Currently without a club Hugo is in charge of the goalkeeping department at our Academy.

Malcolm McMann

– ASSISTANT COACH

Aschool teacher for his day job, Malcolm is an unbelievable coach. Working with local grassroots teams, his enthusiasm is infectious and the children love working with him. Although having never played, Malcolm is a coach who can do very well for himself in the game.

JACK HUNTER

– ASSISTANT HEAD COACH

Still a Professional Footballer, Jack currently plays in the National League North with Gateshead. Jack came through the Newcastle United Academy and went on to Captain the U23 side.

HUGO BANKS

– HEAD OF GOALKEEPING

Hugo spent his scholarship days with then League 2 Grimsby Town. Currently without a club Hugo is in charge of the goalkeeping department at our Academy.

Our happy Parents

What People Are Saying

Just had our sons birthday party with JJ and could not recommend it enough! JJ is fantastic with all the kids, he knew all their names within minutes and made sure everyone was joining in and having fun. Absolute bonus that all we had to do was turn up, all the food, birthday cake and sweet cones for the kids were provided in the package and all the kids and parents couldn’t rave enough. Highly recommend and I’m sure we’ll be rebooking next year

Excellent football academy. Coaches are fantastic highly recommended.

Fantastic academy, with great values and top Quality coaching. Recommend JJ and his team 100%.

Jayden had a great first session at the academy to night very professional coach in jj he will be back next week.

Thanks so much again JJ and all of the coaches! Thomas absolutely loves to come and I’m so grateful that you all do it for the kids as helps out so much!

Sam has had another brilliant time and has asked when the next one is!! Thanks so much x

Brody had the best time ever again, thank you for making his birthday so special.

“As long as your child gets in the car after one of our sessions and says, ‘I enjoyed that’ then that is the most important thing to us!”

Our Football Classes

Wednesday Night Academy

Soccer Schools

1:1 Sessions

Small Group Sessions

Birthday Parties