Millfield Prep Elevates Football Programme

Millfield Prep have appointed a new Football Development Officer, Jo Cooper, to head up the football talent amongst Prep pupils.

Jo, from South Wales, joins the Millfield Prep team after graduating from Loughborough University with a degree in Sport Science. Jo is already familiar with the school after spending his placement year there as a football intern, coaching all year groups and immersing himself into life at Millfield Prep.

Jo has gained a wealth of experience in coaching and development by running the Mid Somerset Schools’ district team football camp in recent years. In addition, he recently travelled to Madrid with Millfield’s football coach, Danny Rodriguez, to lead a talented student team, which taught him invaluable skills in coaching.

In his role, Jo is hoping to create enjoyment in football for pupils of any age or gender. He aims to make sessions engaging and exciting, ignite teamwork and develop each individual’s game to the highest level. A long-term goal for Jo is to strengthen the transition to Millfield and nurture young talent.

Football is taught as part of the games curriculum in Years 3-6 and is run via club sessions in Years 7 and 8. Both girls' and boys' teams play an extensive range of fixtures, both locally and nationally, as friendlies and cup matches. Pupils often play for Football League Academy teams and the school works closely with parents and clubs to manage this commitment, which Jo will play a significant part in.

Jo said, ‘I can’t wait to return to Millfield Prep and get started with the football players. There is an amazing energy on the campus, and I couldn’t think of a better place to be coaching. I think there is a huge opportunity to nurture young talent and develop the football provision here and we are so lucky to have outstanding facilities to make it happen.”

Tyrone Mings attended Millfield on a bursary from 2009-2011 to play football and is part of the England squad for the euros. The team play the final later in the week with hopes to win the tournament.

Find out more about football at Millfield Prep here.