LEADERSHIP TEAM
JAMIE MEHMET
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
- Our Founder and Academy Director brings over 20 years of valuable experience in the football industry, with expertise in coaching, player identification, and supporting players' progression into professional environments.
- Jamie is one of just 150 individuals to receive the prestigious FA150 award, presented by HRH Prince William, President of The FA, at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of his exceptional service to grassroots football.
- Thanks to the trusted relationships and partnerships developed over the years, Ballers continues to provide pathways and opportunities that truly make a difference for its members. What began as a vision with just eight members has now grown to engage with over 1,000 families in Southwark each week, a testament to the academy's inclusive ethos and commitment to the community.
ARCHIE MEHMET
PLAYER LIAISON OFFICER & DIRECTOR
- Archie’s journey is a testament to the opportunities Ballers Academy provides, having progressed from the Academy to the professional academy system. He now uses his lived experience to mentor and inspire our young aspiring footballers, helping them to achieve their own goals.
RICHARD WHITE
COMMUNITY DIRECTOR
- A UEFA B licensed coach, with over 20 years of experience in community programmes, Richard has played a pivotal role in advancing our community initiatives since joining nearly three years ago. His leadership has been central to the development of our free-to-attend programmes, including girls-only football, adult and youth disability sports, and walking sports for older people.
- Richard’s commitment to the community ensures that football remains accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background.
BILLY MEHMET
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
- A professional footballer with a career spanning multiple countries, including England, Scotland, Turkey, and Malaysia, Billy brings a wealth of international playing experience to our academy. His deep understanding of the professional game, combined with his ability to mentor young players, makes him an invaluable part of our team.
- Billy’s extensive contacts provide incredible opportunities for our members. From organising guest coaches and fixtures to arranging tours, Billy plays a pivotal role in helping our players gain exposure and experience at higher levels of the game.
ACADEMY COCHES
JACK SAMMOUTIS
ACADEMY COACH
- Jack, a former professional footballer, has played for Millwall FC, AC Omonia, and represented Cyprus at the international level. His extensive playing experience, paired with a deep passion for coaching, makes him an invaluable member of the Ballers team.
- Loved by participants and highly respected by his colleagues, Jack’s dedication to supporting players of all abilities ensures he continues to make a lasting positive impact both on and off the pitch.
DEAN PALMER
ACADEMY COACH
- Dean is a UEFA A-qualified coach and the Head of Coaching at Leyton Orient Academy, where he oversees the development of elite youth players and coaches. His expertise in designing structured session plans and creating pathways for young talent ensures that Ballers’ players receive top-tier guidance and support.
- Respected by both the management team and participants, Dean’s dedication to growth and creating opportunities is evident in everything he does. His strong industry connections further enhance the prospects for our members, opening doors for them to progress in their football journeys.
TOM BEERE
ACADEMY COACH
- Having played professionally for clubs such as AFC Wimbledon, Tom brings first-hand knowledge of the game at an elite level. His expertise as a midfielder, combined with his leadership skills, makes him a key asset to our academy.
- Tom delivers sessions through our academy programme while also supporting our youth inclusion sessions on Friday evenings, school initiatives, and holiday camps.
CRAIG DUNDAS
ACADEMY COACH
- A UEFA B-licensed coach and seasoned professional in the game, Craig has played over 600 matches at the senior level, most notably with Sutton United, where he also served as the first-team fitness coach in the EFL. His extensive playing career and profound understanding of football dynamics bring invaluable expertise to our coaching setup.
- Craig’s wide network of contacts within the game is a significant asset, enabling him to offer guidance and support to our senior members as they navigate their football careers. His experience and connections ensure our players are well-positioned to seize opportunities both on and off the pitch.
CHARLIE PEARCE
ACADEMY COACH
- With 13 years of dedicated service as a coach at our academy, Charlie’s commitment and experience are invaluable to our team. Without his dedication, the grassroots section simply wouldn’t exist; he is essential to its development and ongoing success. Charlie delivers sessions through both the academy and community initiatives, coaching at our main academy programme while also leading the adult and youth disability programmes.
- As our safeguarding lead, he ensures a safe and supportive environment for all participants, and his oversight of the grassroots programmes highlights his integral role in nurturing talent at every level. Charlie’s passion and leadership make him a cornerstone of Ballers Football Academy.
DARREN SMITH
ACADEMY COACH
- A UEFA A licensed coach Darren is a well-respected coach with a wealth of experience in the football industry. As the Associate Dean of UCFB, Darren brings a unique blend of academic leadership and practical expertise to his role. In addition to his work with Ballers, he runs the Coaching Exchange, a platform dedicated to supporting coaches of all levels in their professional development.
- Darren’s extensive knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to the growth of players and coaches alike make him an invaluable member of our team, consistently raising the standards for everyone involved.
CHAN QUAN
ACADEMY COACH
- With over 15 years of experience, Chan has built strong relationships with participants, earning their trust and respect through his approachable and supportive coaching style. He has extensive experience at the non-league level and possesses a unique skill set in supporting children with challenging behavioural needs.
NICHOLAS WRIGHT
ACADEMY COACH
- Nicholas, a UEFA B-qualified coach and the Head of Operations at the Amateur FA, has extensive experience in grassroots, professional academy, and amateur football.
- Most recently, the lead development phase coach at AFC Wimbledon, Nicholas, has many links to provide opportunities for our members. His focus on developing football at all levels ensures that Ballers remains inclusive while striving for excellence.
JORDEN WILSON
ACADEMY COACH
- A new addition to the academy team, Jorden is developing rapidly as a coach. His enthusiastic and energetic coaching style has quickly made him a favourite among our members. Jorden also coaches at King’s College University, where he heads up their girls’ football programme.
VICTOR BORODE
ACADEMY COACH
- Victor is a UEFA B-qualified coach with over 15 years of coaching experience. He has managed at a professional level in Nigeria and also coached in China, bringing a wealth of international expertise to our academy. His diverse coaching background equips him to support players at every stage of their development.
DYLAN TONERY
ACADEMY COACH
- Once a participant in our programmes, Dylan has made the step up into coaching. Having been through our programmes himself, he knows exactly the level required to succeed. Ballers Academy has supported Dylan with learning opportunities and qualifications, allowing him to develop as a coach and inspire the next generation.
AARON HARRINGTON
ACADEMY COACH
- Aaron is a UEFA A Licensed Coach with experience across grassroots and professional football. His journey includes coaching roles at professional academies including, Oldham Athletic, Millwall, and Leyton Orient. Beyond the UK, Aaron has coached in Lithuania, gaining valuable European experience and a fresh perspective on the game.
ANGIE RUIZ GIRALDO
SPORTS MENTOR COACH
- Once a participant in our programmes, Angie has taken the step up into coaching, bringing firsthand knowledge of the level required to succeed. Ballers Academy has provided her with valuable learning opportunities and qualifications, enabling her to inspire the next generation.
- Angie now leads our girls’ programmes and serves as a mentor within the academy, playing a key role in nurturing and developing young talent.
CLAIRE DE HARA
COMMUNITY COACH
- Claire previously worked with Crystal Palace, supporting their community initiatives. She has immense experience working with children with special educational needs, creating an inclusive environment that fosters growth and confidence.
TOM ROLT
SPORTS MENTOR COACH
- Tom consistently supports our programmes and members, offering invaluable guidance and mentorship. An excellent youth mentor, Tom specialises in providing opportunities and support for young people, particularly in helping to divert them away from crime. Through his leadership at Divert, he ensures that young individuals are given positive pathways to achieve their potential.
SIAN FITZPATRICK
SPORTS MENTOR COACH
- Sian brings a wealth of experience from both the men’s and women’s game, having coached and played at Millwall Ladies. She is currently coaching at Stormzy’s Croydon FC, where her expertise continues to make a positive impact. As one of our academy mentors, Sian is a key figure in developing young people in Southwark.
JAKE AVERY
COMMUMNITY COACH
- Jake is new to the coaching team and is currently supporting local children through our schools and holiday camp programmes. He is developing all the time and has shown great initiative in the delivery of his sessions.
HARRISON WHITE
APPRENTICE COACH
- Harrison is currently learning the trade at Ballers Academy. Assisting across various programmes, he is gaining invaluable hands-on experience while working alongside our senior coaches.
SAFEGUARDING & WELFARE
CHARLIE PEARCE
SAFEGUARDING & WELFARE OFFICER
- As our safeguarding lead, Charlie ensures a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for everyone at Ballers Academy. With his passion and leadership, he plays a vital role in nurturing talent and overseeing our grassroots programmes, helping participants thrive both on and off the pitch.
- If you have any questions, need support, or want to connect, feel free to reach out to Charlie at charlie@ballersacademy.co.uk