Junior Teams

U10 Boys Lead Coach –
Dave McCollum

David is a fantastic new addition to Adel this year, both as a player and a coach. He brings valuable experience from his time at Ben Rhydding, where he coached the Under 10 and Under 12 boys and girls teams for the past couple of years and played as a defender for the 1st XI in the National League for over a decade. Last season, he captained Ben Rhydding’s Over 35 team to victory in the National Cup.  

David also has an impressive playing background at youth level, representing England at both Under 16 and Under 18 levels. He is supportive and highly competitive, leading the Under 10 Boys and coaching the Under 12 Girls, bringing energy, guidance, and a drive to help every player improve and enjoy the game.  

‘I’m excited to play a part in Adel’s junior hockey programme and delighted to be working  with a great team of coaches.’  

U10 Girls Lead Coach –
Cesca Ackerman

Cesca joined Adel as a junior at Under 10s and worked her way through the age groups, eventually playing in the ladies section before leaving for university. When she returned to Leeds last year after five years away, there was only one club to re-join. Today, she can be found on the pitch playing for the Ladies 1s and 2s, while also giving back where it all began as Lead Coach for the Under 10 Girls.  
Combining her skills as a teacher with extensive knowledge of the game and a deep understanding of the junior setup in the region, Cesca is perfectly placed to lead the three Under 10 Girls teams and managing the largest group in the club.  

‘I’m really excited to get involved with the coaching as adel is where I learnt to play and  taught me everything I know!’

U12 Boys Lead Coach –
Nat Innes

Nat is the lead coach for the Under 12 Boys and also coaches the Under 14 Boys, alongside her role as Ladies 1s captain. She also heads up a growing and enthusiastic group of junior umpires as part of the newly created Junior Umpire Programme. Nat has played top-level hockey for many seasons in the National League North Conference with Harrogate and brings a wealth of coaching experience, having previously coached the Under 16 Girls and Ladies 5s here at Adel, combining high-level playing knowledge with a supportive and encouraging approach.  

‘This is my 3rd year coaching the U12 boys, and 1st year taking on the U14 boys. It has been great to see the U12 boys grow from a single team in the bottom division 3 seasons ago to 3 teams now all across the league.’

U12 Girls Lead Coach –
Owen Leask

Owen has coached at Adel for two seasons and this year has taken on the role of Lead Coach for the Under 12 Girls. He is an exceptionally experienced coach, holding England Hockey Level 3 and FIH Level 2 qualifications, and currently serves as Men’s Head Performance Coach at Wakefield Hockey Club, as well as Head of PE at QEGS School in Wakefield.

With over two decades of playing and coaching experience at National League level, Owen brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the Club. Under his guidance, the Under 12 Girls continue to go from strength to strength, developing both their skills and  confidence as a team.  

‘The under 12 girls are a very talented bunch of players, really good fun to be around and committed to improving their hockey. They also have a great social link with each other which is really nice to see. Coaching Adel Under 12 girls is one of my favourite things to do in the week. I look forwards to the training on Friday nights and tournaments on Sundays.’

U14 Boys Lead Coach –
Sam Jackson

Sam, Chairperson of Adel Hockey Club, has been coaching the Under 12 Boys since 2023 and the Under 14 Boys since 2025. He is deeply involved in all aspects of the club and brings incredible energy and enthusiasm to his coaching, supported by knowledge gained from playing many sports. Sam uses this experience to inspire and develop the U12 and U14 boys, creating an environment where players always have fun while embracing a strong competitive spirit and a desire to improve.

He has led the boys on an exciting journey, growing the Under 12 group from just six players to thirty. This success has resulted in teams competing in the top division and the creation of two new development squads.  

‘My coaching philosophy focuses on the “whole” experience. I try to bring some of the lessons in performance I’ve learned competing at an international level as a junior in triathlon, whilst also striving to create a friendly environment where the boys have fun and bond as a team – ensuring that match teas, social activities, and love of the club are valued just as highly as the hockey itself.’

U14 Girls Lead Coach –
Jim Robinson

Jim coaches the Under 14 Girls and Development Teams. A former Adel Men’s 1s captain, he currently represents the Yorkshire and North East Masters Over 45s. A member of Leeds Adel since 2009, Jim previously played for Southport and Durham University in the North Premier Division (now the National League Conference North). He brings an inclusive and calm coaching style that helps everyone around him feel valued and fosters a strong sense of belonging.  

“Adel is a great environment for juniors to develop, whether they are picking up a stick for the first time, just want to play for fun or are pushing to play representative hockey. I love being a player, parent and coach in Adel orange.”

U16 Boys Lead Coach –
Stuart Boomer

Stuart coaches the U16 boys’ team at Adel. He started playing Hockey for Adel when first moving to Leeds 20 years ago. He has played for all the Adel men’s teams since joining, from the first team to the over 55’s. Before moving to West Yorkshire Stuart played for Queen’s University Belfast and Cliftonville Hockey Clubs in Ireland. Having started playing hockey while at primary school, he has represented Ulster at Under 18 and Under 21 levels, as well as playing for the Northern Ireland and the Combined Irish University teams. Hockey highlights are firstly, still being able to enjoy playing hockey almost 50 years after first picking up a stick and secondly, seeing the young players developing through the junior ranks to progress into the senior teams.

U16 Girls Lead Coach –
Mike Gillingham

Mike coaches the Under 16 Girls, bringing a passion for giving every player the opportunity to enjoy and develop in hockey. He is also a goalkeeper for the adult side and coaches the Ladies 4s team. Last season, his dedication and impact were recognised when he was awarded Coach of the Season at the Adel end-of-season dinner.  

Known for being inclusive and supportive, Mike combines his coaching and playing experience with enthusiasm and encouragement, ensuring every player feels valued.

‘ I love adel because it is a genuinely nice club to play for. It is very rare to find a club that socialises as a club regardless of what team they are in. Through coaching the juniors I love to help young players develop and start their journey into adult hockey’

Development Squad Lead Coaches –
Jim Robinson (See U14G) & Richard Partner

Rich has a long and distinguished history at Adel, joining in 2000 when he helped merge the Adel teams with Leeds Met (Beckett) University hockey teams to create the then ‘LA Metros’. Over the past 26 years, he has coached Men’s, Ladies, and Junior teams at all levels, most recently working with his own children at Under 10 and Under 14 levels.  

For the past three years, Rich has also coached and captained the Over 45s for Yorkshire and the North East, demonstrating his coaching versatility across every age group. His experience, enthusiasm, and commitment make him a valued mentor for players of all ages at the Club.  

‘ I love seeing young players gain confidence in their skills and positions so they can grow  as hockey players. I’ve now taken on the organising of our first development teams at Adel so helping blend junior and adult hockey in the same pitch. Success and challenges are huge learning events in team sport which gives these kids valuable experiences beyond their hockey. Watching them form ‘teams’ is great to see.’