Ben Osborn - Co-Founder & Director
Ben signed for Nottingham Forest at just 8 years old after being released from Derby County and graduated with a professional contract at the conclusion of his scholarship. After breaking into the first team aged 19, Ben went on to play over 200 times for The Reds before making his move to Sheffield United with whom he currently plays. Ben has recently completed his UEFA A qualification and has found a real passion for coaching which he balances alongside playing for The Blades in the Premier League. Ben regularly attends the evening sessions and holiday camps to deliver training sessions. He also thoroughly enjoys visiting schools to deliver his bespoke football workshop, which looks to educate and inspire young people.
Top 3 Favourite sports – Football, golf, Cricket
Mastermind subject – It’s always sunny in Philadelphia
Sporting hero growing up – Ronaldinho
Favourite Personal sporting moment - Making premier league debut Favourite Moment Watching Sport - Barcelona 6-1 PSG
Band/Artist – The Streets
Jack Andrews - Co-Founder & Director
EFD Sport and Education is well and truly the brainchild of Jack’s. Jack is a UEFA B qualified coach who has a wealth of experience in both coaching and the education sector. Working with players and students of all ages and abilities, he has a real passion for what he does. A graduate of the Nottingham Forest academy, Jack signed for Forest as a 10-year-old and received his first professional contract from the club at the age of 18. A year later Jack was released and since then has played for several clubs professionally & semi-professionally including Alfreton Town, Boston United and Eastwood. Jack's experiences in football have given him the desire to give back to young people.
Top 3 Favourite sports – Football, Golf, Boxing
Mastermind subject – Liverpool FC
Sporting hero growing up – Steven Gerrard
Favourite Personal sporting moment -All the people I have met and lessons I have learnt through sport.
Favourite Moment Watching Sport - 2005 Champions League Final
Band/Artist – Coldplay
Laura Osborn - Secondary Schools Programme Manager
A recent addition to the EFD Sport & Education team, Laura has over 7 years experience of working within secondary and further education sectors. Laura has experience in both the design and delivery of personal development curriculums for KS3, KS4 and KS5 students. Laura has always had a huge interest in playing sport. Particularly netball, athletics and more recently, tennis. Laura is also a qualified yoga teacher and is passionate about promoting positive health and wellness behaviours to young people.
Top 3 Favourite sports – Netball, Tennis, Yoga
Mastermind subject - Parent Trap
Sporting hero growing up – Paula Radcliffe
Favourite Personal sporting moment - Winning Derbyshire Schools Cross Country
Favourite Moment Watching Sport - Sheffield United 3 - 3 Manchester United
Band/Artist – Nick Mulvey
Jake Wholey - Secondary School Mentor & Lead Coach
Jake has been working with EFD Sport and Education as a coach since 2020, but has recently moved into a full time position as a secondary school mentor and head coach of the Meadowhead School football scholarship program. After coming through the ranks at Notts County, where he went on to make his professional football league debut, Jake started completing his coaching badges. Jake then went on to play professional football in Sweden, before coming back to Nottingham to sign professional terms at Nottingham Forest in 2013. Since then Jake has worked as a fitness coach and personal trainer before a successful career in the corporate world. Jake possesses tons of experience and personality which always inspires the young people that he works with.
Top 3 Favourite sports – Football, Golf, Cricket
Mastermind subject – Nottingham Forest
Sporting hero growing up – David Beckham
Favourite Personal sporting moment - Football league debut at 17.
Favourite Moment Watching Sport - Forest Play Off Final Win
Band/Artist – The Manor
Niall Mather - Secondary School Mentor
Niall has been a familiar face down at the EFD holiday camps over the last few years but has recently joined the team full time as an in school mentor! Niall spent his younger years with Derby County academy up until the age of 14, before going on to ply his trade around various non league clubs around Derbyshire. Also an avid cricket player, Niall played cricket up until the age of 20 for Swarkstone CC. Since then, Niall has amassed over 10 years of experience working in secondary schools, most recently as a head of year and is a huge believer in the positive impact sport can have on young people.
Top 3 Favourite sports – Football, Rugby, Cricket
Mastermind subject – Manchester United
Sporting hero growing up – Ryan Giggs
Favourite Personal sporting moment - Promotion with Belper United in 2022.
Favourite Moment Watching Sport - Wayne Rooney overhead kick.
Band/Artist – Elton John
Adam Billard - Secondary School Mentor
A recent addition to the EFD Sport and Education mentoring team, we are lucky to have Adam working in our South Yorkshire schools. As a youngster, Adam signed for Barnsley Academy at the age of 8 as a goalkeeper, moving to Sheffield United at the age of 12. Adam went on to receive a scholarship at the age of 16, completing his Level 2 coaching badges and National sports diploma whilst playing for the Sheffield United Youth Team. Adam also played cricket at a good standard throughout his youth and early adulthood, playing for Frechville Cc. Adam went on to play for Sheffield FC, Worksop Town, Frickley, Stocksbridge, Parkgate and finally Buxton. In Adam’s most recent line of work he has been the mental health officer for the last 2 years and is also first aid trained.
Top 3 Favourite sports – Football, Boxing, Cricket
Mastermind subject – Sheffield United
Sporting hero growing up – Pete Schmeichel
Favourite Personal sporting moment - Making Sheffield United reserve debut at 13.
Favourite Moment Watching Sport - David Seaman.
Band/Artist – Arctic Monkeys
Jack Messom - Primary School Mentor
Jack is the youngest of the EFD team. Always a keen footballer growing up, starting playing football at 4 years old. Jack went on to join Eastwood town at under 13s, captaining their Under 21s and eventually going on to be one of Eastwood first team’s youngest ever players at the age of 16. Jack first came to our attention when he attended some of our evening sessions as a young footballer himself. Since then, Jack has been coaching for more than 2 years and has recently completed his level one qualification. Upon leaving school, Jack completed a 2 year degree course in sports coaching and sports science with Leeds United and has regularly worked with EFD on our many holiday camps! Jack’s enthusiasm is infectious and shows a great understanding towards our young students.
Top 3 Favourite sports – Football, Boxing, NFL
Mastermind subject – Premier League
Sporting hero growing up – Eden Hazard
Favourite Personal sporting moment - Beating Coalville in the FA Youth Cup.
Favourite Moment Watching Sport - Forest Play Off Final Win.
Band/Artist – French the Kid
Liz Osborn - Head of Administration
Joining the team in 2022, Liz has been instrumental with the planning and organisation of all holiday camps and evening sessions. Liz’s presence has allowed other members of the team to focus more on what they are best at, whether that’s coaches coaching or mentors mentoring. Liz really is the cog that keeps EFD working.
Top 3 Favourite sports – Athletics, Football, Rounders
Mastermind subject – 80's Pop Music
Sporting hero growing up – Linford Christie
Favourite Personal sporting moment - Winning 100m & 800m races at Spondon School.
Favourite Moment Watching Sport - Derby 1 - 2 Forest (Osborn Winner).
Band/Artist – Madonna