Nigel Gardner

For over 20 years Nigel has been at the forefront of Aspire Coaching. Unlike other sports coaching company directors he continues to actively deliver coaching sessions to children through PE, after school clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday courses and evening and weekend football sessions everyday. He also takes on the all encompassing aspects of running the company and managing a small team of fantastic coaches.

He is driven by a passion to help and inspire children to the best of his ability, encouraging children to want to become their best and hopes Aspire reflects this. He believes many coaches think you are only good if you coach elite athletes, but through many years experience he knows that without grassroots coaches there would be no elite athletes. By coaching a mixture of ages and abilities everyday gives great satisfaction and he believes grassroots coaching is just as important as elite coaching.

Beginning with an Honours Degree in Leisure Management, whilst with Aspire, Nigel has achieved his Level 5 Certificate in Primary School PE and School Sport Specialism and Multi-Skills Level 2 enabling him to help support schools further with their PE provision. Grassroots football is his 'bread and butter' obtaining his FA Level 2, Youth Modules, FA Level 1 Futsal, FA Mentoring Adults and an Open University Course in Coaching Others to Coach. His longstanding commitment to Petersfield Town Juniors Football Club started at the first playing age of 9 years old continuing to the end at U16s. The following season of 1992-93 he became a volunteer coach for Petersfield Town Juniors helping in the mini section where he remains now 28 years later as Head of Mini Football. Nigel also volunteers on the executive committee of the club as Charter Standard Officer.

He hugely enjoys his diverse and varied role is proud to be able to provide sport and physical activity to the community