Marjon lecturer approached by pro footballers for coaching

Released: 28.06.18

Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching and Physical Education and UEFA A Licence Coach, Aaron Cusack, has recently been approached by four professional footballers to deliver individualised coaching sessions throughout June. Among those were former Liverpool and current Luton Town defender, Lloyd Jones and Southampton’s Harrison Davis.

The players requested the opportunity to gain specialised, position specific coaching as part of their off-season player development. The bespoke programmes tailored to the individual needs of each player and were typically designed to instil technical proficiency with a specific application to game scenarios.

Leading the sessions, Aaron told us: “Individual development is an area in football that I feel is frequently misunderstood, undervalued and underused. This service provides players with unique opportunities to extend and enhance their capabilities beyond their current level of performance.”

Working with Aaron since the age of 11, Plymouth born centre back Lloyd Jones told us that: “Every time I come back to Plymouth for the summer I make sure I keep my standards high and that is why I work with Aaron on a 1-to-1 basis. His ideas are very creative and more importantly relevant to my needs.”

It was Southampton’s right back Harrison Davis first time working with Aaron and he told us: “I benefitted massively from the sessions I had; working on crossing the ball on my right foot and then coming inside the pitch to cross with my left foot. I hope to receive extra sessions from Aaron throughout the season, targeting my weaknesses, enabling me to progress to the next level.”

Away from coaching, Aaron co-leads the BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and BA (Hons) Sport, Coaching & Physical Education degrees at the University with Kelvin Kirk. He also teaches on the BA (Hons) Football Development & Coaching degree and is part of The Football Association mentoring scheme where he tutors the Level 3 (UEFA B) in coaching football.