Millfield Prep School Appoint New Head of Football

Millfield Prep School have announced the appointment of Rhys Mansell as their new Head of Football.

A UEFA A qualified coach with experience across academy football, school sport and community programmes, Rhys brings experience developing young players from grassroots level through to the professional game.

Rhys joins Millfield Prep from Welsh Premier League Club Haverfordwest County AFC, where he has been part of a highly successful period as their Head of Academy Goalkeeping. This included a treble-winning season and qualification for the UEFA Youth League (the youth Champions League). As lead goalkeeper coach for the club’s U19s, he was involved in the team’s European campaign, including a close-fought fixture against Montenegrin champions FK Budućnost Podgorica.

Rhys has also led the club’s Foundation Phase Girls Academy from U7 to U11 level, where he oversaw the programme alongside coaching and scouting responsibilities. During his two years in the role, nine players were selected for Welsh national squads, while he supported players across each age group in progressing into international pathways.

Rhys holds a UEFA Goalkeeping A Licence and UEFA Outfield B Licence, alongside a First Class BA (Hons) in Physical Education and a PGCE. He also holds a Level 4 SKIP Cymru qualification, a Welsh government-recommended credential focused on developing children’s movement and motor skills.

His coaching career has also included community work with EFL Championship club Swansea City, where he delivered the ‘Premier League Kicks’ programme as part of their Foundation. The initiative provided free football opportunities for young people, including those displaying challenging behaviour, and saw Rhys work with pupils from lower primary through to upper secondary school age.

Before moving into academy football, Rhys was a PE Teacher and Head of School Sport Academies at Castle School in Pembrokeshire. Working in a school without dedicated sports facilities, he developed links with community clubs and facilities to create opportunities for pupils, organised school competitions across a range of sports and established a school football team.

Rhys said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the new Head of Football at Millfield Prep. This is a fantastic opportunity for me to challenge myself at the top sporting school in the country. I am really excited about the footballing provision we can provide for our pupils. I have been so impressed with the potential I have seen in my initial period at the school and am looking forward to helping the pupils to discover their brilliance.”

Millfield Prep Director of Sport, Craig Boyne, said: “Rhys’ work across professional academy football, girls’ football, community programmes and school sport gives him a fantastic understanding of how to support young players at different stages of their development. We are thrilled to welcome Rhys to Millfield Prep and to have someone with his breadth of experience leading our football programme.”

To learn more about football at Millfield Prep, click here.