sports academy is providing affordable inclusive coaching sessions for young people as part of its mission to use sport as a means of inspiring future athletes and coaches.

K&R Sports Academy founded in 2010 doesn’t focus solely on sporting excellence but takes an holistic approach to coaching placing equal emphasis on developing the child as a person as well as an athlete.

Academy Director Tom Kavanagh, (pictured) who is head of PE at a primary school, is a UEFA qualified coach and Head of Youth Development at AFC Croydon Athletic Football Club based in Mayfield Road in Thornton Heath. He started out coaching at St. James the Great in Thornton Heath where he went to school and still coaches. 

Tom who worked for 10 years at Charlton Athletic FC in their development centre at Whitgift school, said: “As a company we pride ourselves on being extremely affordable and inclusive for all. With myself and other coaches having grown up in the community we are driven to provide as much opportunity and chance for personal development as possible for all we come into contact with.” 

Some players the coaches work with go on to sign with professional and semi professional clubs and include midfielder Jahquan Springer who is with Premiership side Leicester.

Sessions are designed to get pupils involved in fun and enjoyable activities with an emphasis on developing technique and skill but also opportunities to develop a future career in sport.

Tom who played for professional academies including Crystal Palace until the age of 16 continues his footballing career in the non-league playing for Kingstonian FC, added: “I know first hand how many talented kids we have in the area, but also how many families love and depend on sport for their children as an outlet, or as something to keep them fit and healthy or just because their children love to play football and be given the chance to do all of these things.

“This is why we chose AFC Croydon Athletic because they are a local community club with great facilities and a vision that sits together with ours at K&R Sports Academy which is being able to provide football for all children, no matter of ability, race, gender or religion, whilst also ensuring that these players have fun in a safe environment and learn key skills for on the pitch but also off the pitch too.”

K&R runs Saturday morning sessions at AFC Croydon Athletic’s ground for three to six-year-old boys and girls from 9.30-10am and seven to 14-year-old’s 10-10.45am. There is also a Christmas football camp on December 21,-22, 29 and 30 for five to 13-year-old’s from 10 am to 3pm.

To book email: tomkrsportsacademy@gmail.com or 07828986237.