Penwith College sport lecturer Matt George has been appointed as goalkeeping coach for the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) Under 18s.

Matt’s new role will draw on his 20 years teaching experience alongside coach education for the FA and coaching at grassroots, county, regional and national level.

Matt, who lives in Helston, said: “I am extremely proud to be part of the ESFA international set-up and look forward to working with the highest standard of young footballers outside of the professional game.”

Previous players who have played for ESFA include Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Leon Osman, Ben Amos and Chris Smalling.

Matt teaches on the BTEC Level 3 Coaching, Development and Fitness course and hopes his international experience will inspire current and future Penwith College students.

“Having worked towards and achieved my UEFA B Licence and FA Goalkeeping B License, to coach Goalkeeping and training as a teacher, students have a positive example of where success, commitment and dedication can take them.”

Dom Angove studied the Level 3 Diploma in Coaching, Development and Fitness with Matt, achieved a Triple Distinction Star grade and is now studying the Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching at Penwith College.

Dom was the Penwith College football team captain and now works with Matt to develop his own coaching.

Dom said: “I have worked with Matt for three years and his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm have played a huge part in my development as a goalkeeper and as a coach.

"Matt was the one that first introduced me to goalkeeping coaching and his tutoring has helped me improve my playing and coaching performance. I am delighted that Matt has got the job as ESFA Under 18 Goalkeeping Coach and I know the keepers he coaches will benefit greatly from his expertise.”

Martin Tucker, Director of Penwith College said: “To have an international coach working with our sport students is an asset to their education and development and we hope to see them achieve similar successes in their future careers. We wish the ESFA team all the best in their upcoming fixtures.”

The ESFA team will play Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland this spring and summer, after a first fixture for the new squad against Australia.