Danny MacDonald
Academy Director
UEFA Pro Licence
Danny is the Co-owner and a Director of the Company. Having spent over 30 years working in a variety of successful roles within professional soccer, his responsibilities are to oversee the complete Academy Program and operations, always ensuring that the highest of standards are set and maintained.
Janice MacDonald
Director (Finance and Admin.)
Janice is also the Co-owner and a Director of the Company. In light of her extensive and successful career working within the Banking sector for over 27 years, she is responsible for Financial Management, H.R. and Administration. She has also an active role within Primary Education, working with young people, and previous voluntary roles in local sporting clubs and activities.
Eilidh MacDonald MPhys, MCSP
Chartered Physiotherapist
Master of Physiotherapy
(R.G.U. Aberdeen)
Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Qualifications and Awards:
Level 4 Award (Distinction) Sports Massage
National Sports First Aid
Communicating Effectively with
Children & Young People
Mental Health in Scottish Football
Children’s Wellbeing in Scottish Football
(P.V.G. Registered)
Owen MacDonald
Head Youth Coach
Academic Path:
Sport and Fitness BSc. (Hons.)
Final Year Student (Hons.)
H.N.C. Sports Coaching and Development
Coaching Qualifications and Awards:
UEFA ‘C’ Diploma (Youth/Adult)
UEFA Grassroots Leader Award
Youth/Adult Coaching Award
Children’s Coaching Award
Youth/Adult Coaching Certificate
Childrten's Coaching Certificate
Introduction to Coaching
Talent ID 1.1
Performance and Analysis 1.1
Children’s Wellbeing in Scottish Football
Communicating Effectively with
Children & Young People
Mental Health in Scottish Football
P.V.G. Registered
Innes Mason
Head Goalkeeping Coach
B.A. Sports Management (Hons.)
Coaching Qualifications and Awards:
UEFA ‘C’ Diploma (Youth/Adult)
UEFA Grassroots Leader Award
Goalkeeping Coaching Award
Youth/Adult Coaching Award
Children’s Coaching Award
Goalkeeping Coaching Certificate
Youth/Adult Coaching Certificate
Childrten's Coaching Certificate
Introduction to Coaching
Talent ID 1.1
Children’s Wellbeing in Scottish Football
Communicating Effectively with
Children & Young People
Mental Health in Scottish Football
P.V.G. Registered
Sam Irving
Head Children's Coach
Academic Path:
Sport and Fitness BSc. (Hons.)
Final Year Student (Hons.)
H.N.C. Sports Coaching and Development
Coaching Qualifications and Awards:
UEFA ‘C’ Diploma (Youth/Adult)
UEFA Grassroots Leader Award
Youth/Adult Coaching Award
Children’s Coaching Award
Youth/Adult Coaching Certificate
Childrten's Coaching Certificate
Introduction to Coaching
Talent ID 1.1
Performance and Analysis 1.1
Children’s Wellbeing in Scottish Football
Communicating Effectively with
Children & Young People
Mental Health in Scottish Football
P.V.G. Registered
Chris Ross
Club Coach
B.A. Sports Coaching and Development (Hons.)Chris has gained valuable experience and sector knowledge while coaching in the USA and with Pro and Semi-Pro Clubs throughout Scotland. We are delighted to have Chris join the NESS Team.
P.V.G. Registered
Audrey Kellacher
Club Education Advisor
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
(First Class Hon. with Distinction)
Audrey is a highly qualified and very experienced professional within the teaching fraternity. As Head Teacher at a substantial local Primary School, throughout her career she has gained considerable recognition and praise for her outstanding developmental work. Her total commitment and enthusiasm given to her profession has been of great inspiration to many who have had the pleasure of working with her and therefore we too, are absolutely delighted to have her involved at NESS Academy.
(P.V.G. Registered)
Eshal Khalid
Administration Assistant
Grahame Cooper
Child Welfare and Protection
Grahame is our Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer. Working as a Senior Manager within a National Major Third Sector organisation, and also influential in a consultancy role with the Scottish Football Association for Child Protection and Wellbeing issues, he is fully up to date and informed with all important protocols in this field. His wealth of experience and qualifications in this vitally important area of society, (including the "Institute of Safety Health Certificate"), makes Grahame a very important member of the Team.
(P.V.G. Registered)
Craig Black
Coach Mentor
(P.V.G. Registered)