Gen FTBL is the brainchild of Matt Healy and Mike Bryan.
After floating around the Academy and Non-League system when he was younger, Matt had his dream of chasing a career as a player put to a hard stop when he broke his leg.
He began coaching over 20 years, and whilst working at Chelsea FC Academy, Matt was headhunted by QPR to run the pre-academy and under-9 programme.
This was an exciting time in youth football in the area, with Matt getting to work directly with the likes of Michael Olise, Lewis Richards, Neo Ecclestone, Matthew Dennis, Arkell Jude-Boyd and Harvey Elliot, all of whom are now playing professionally.
Over the years, Matt has worked with literally thousands of players, with hundreds passing in and out of the academy system. Matt has also had the opportunity to experience De Toekomst, the home of Ajax’s famed youth academy, working with the academy coaches and learning from some of the best in the business.
Fast forward 20 years, and Matt is still working with all players at all levels, from 7-year-olds to seniors, from grassroots to academy and full professional players.
Mike Bryan did reach the heights of playing professionally.
Mike went through the QPR Academy programme, but was released at 16.
After a season playing non-league Football, Mike was scouted and given a trial at Watford, where he impressed to the point he was offered a professional contract.
After 3 seasons as a professional, making appearances in the Championship for Watford, and full international caps for Northern Ireland, Mike’s professional contract was not renewed.
He then had a stellar non-league career, making over 450 appearances across the top levels of the non-league pyramid.
Mike began coaching whilst playing non-league, and has been a full time professional coach since hanging up his boots as a player.
At younger ages, the likes of Michael Olise and Lewis Richards were not hugely ahead of their peers because of their 1v1 ability or their athleticism.
They were better at football. They played with their heads up and made better decisions. The players who play at the highest level have mastered these absolute fundamentals.
This is the needle-moving, game-changing skillset that will stand the test of time.
Many players will excel at early ages due to their athleticism or dominant 1v1 ability.
But as the pitch gets bigger, as the game changes from 5-a-side to 11-a-side, this foundational skillset will carry players through the age groups and keep their performance high.
This, combined with a fresh, objective, data-driven approach to player development, will help players fulfil their potential and play at the highest level possible.
“When my son first started at Gen, he was a good little dribbler. Gen took his game awareness and ability to scan and plan ahead to a whole different level.
The drills at Gen are match specific, and the coaches explain where the skills you learn at Gen can be implemented into your game. There’s nothing that replicates the experience at Gen. It gives an added aspect of having a drive to improve, as my son can see his data himself.
Since attending, my son has been signed at a Cat 1 Academy and Gen has had a major part to play in his development and being able to achieve his goals.”
— Josh Harris (father of Carter Porter, Southampton u12)
