Senior Sports

I am a firm believer in the holistic development of individuals through sport and physical activity. Sports and physical pursuits are a powerful tool for developing good human beings. They allow people to learn the values of teamwork, perseverance, and integrity and in turn, build character and an instilled sense of discipline and responsibility.
With over 25 years of teaching and coaching experience, I have learnt that physical activity can boost confidence by challenging individuals to push their limits and achieve their goals. When the environment is right, these pursuits emphasize decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation as well as fostering a resilient mindset transferable to all areas of life.
Whilst I enjoy coaching across a diverse range of sports and abilities, I specialise in Hockey, having coached at junior clubs and schools, leading teams to national championships as well as success in the adult game in the Regional and National leagues. I have been involved in junior performance level hockey including 7 years of National Age Group coaching with Wales Hockey, and many years coaching within the England Hockey Single System. In addition to my on-pitch coaching, I am also a Coach Developer for GB Hockey, sharing my knowledge and passion with the next generation of coaches. I believe that my skills and experiences put me in a good place to lead the sports department at Langley School based on our strategy of providing a community of opportunity and excellence and I am grateful for the excellent team of staff we have here.

Grant’s early career took him across the world, including playing in the likes of Australia and Singapore. Returning to the UK, he played for Sheffield Wednesday, Rochdale and Nottingham Forest, where he became the club’s top scorer and was awarded Player of the Season. After a loan period at Blackpool and a move to Shrewsbury Town, in 2009 Grant joined Norwich City and for three years in a row was awarded the Player of the Year and went down in City’s history as one of the top goal scorers. In 2013, Grant moved to Wigan Athletic, was then loaned to Aston Villa, before stints at Huddersfield, Wolverhampton, Rochdale and time up in Scotland playing for Hibernian. He also had spells at King’s Lynn Town, Barrow – where he was player-coach – and Wroxham.
From league to FA Cup, Grant made 586 appearances during his playing career and scored an incredible 193 goals. Today, he leads the Langley Football Academy and is also a scout for West Ham.

Our new Head of Rugby joins Langley with over 20 years of experience working across schools, education, coaching and sports management. Steve was formerly a professional player with Swansea Whites and London Welsh. He moved into coaching and education after a successful career playing carrier. He has worked in a number of schools (both state and independent), National League clubs and university games for both men and women.
A warm and personable man with a calm and friendly demeanour, he has a huge appetite for making learning fun and providing an enjoyable environment for the appropriate level of rugby abilities across the curriculum. Having played and coached across most age groups and senior teams in a number of representative teams, he has a broad depth of knowledge and vast toolbox of skills as a coach, educator and mentor.
Steve is hoping to further enhance the school’s rugby programme and develop all variations of the game across the Senior and Prep arms. His focus will be working to build links with local and wider community partners, primary schools, local state schools and surrounding sports clubs.

I spent six years at the Community Sports Foundation working my way up from part-time Coach to Sport Development Officer. The following six years after that I spent at Norwich City Football Club, working initially as Operations Manager/Academy Coach, and then moving to a position as Foundation Phase Lead Coach before joining the Langley Football Academy (LFA).
My proudest sporting moments include seeing players that I’ve coached go on to make their first team debut for Norwich City, along with players I have coached representing their youth international teams, and, of course, Matt Ward coming into the LFA from China and leaving us as a professional footballer with Ipswich Town.

I have played netball since I was at primary school, playing at county and regional level. I’m a netball coach and umpire, and I mentor new netball umpires too. I coach at Norfolk United Netball Club and I host a Walking Netball group in Wymondham. I coached school teams at Norwich School and Wymondham College before arriving at Langley in 2023.
My proudest netballing moment was in 2022 when I volunteered at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. I was able to mix with players, coaches and officials backstage and up close and personal. For me, this was really exciting!
My aim is to increase participation in netball, bringing it to boys and girls at Langley, as the mixed and men’s game is very much on the rise. I would love to see more of our pupils playing netball outside school hours.
Before I moved into sports coaching at schools, I was a Police Officer for 29 years, retiring as a Police Inspector in 2021. The last post I held was as the Norfolk Constabulary Force Control Room Manager, with one of my responsibilities being Tactical Firearms Commander, where I commanded the initial response to armed incidents.

My football journey started at a young age, progressing through the Norwich City Football Club pathway, representing Norfolk U18s and playing Step 4/5 senior football. Immediately after leaving school I went into a football coaching apprenticeship at Norwich City Community Sports Foundation, where I built around 12 years of coaching experience, working with elite football players and taking various job roles to support young players with their football development.
Coaching is a strong passion of mine and I enjoy seeing young players progress and helping them meet their individual goals. During my time with the football club, I experienced a number of players who have progressed into academy football and careers in the sporting industry.
In 2018, I completed my FA UEFA B Licence football qualification and this has allowed me to develop within my coaching career, enhancing my personal development and experiences. I am always looking to grow in all areas as a coach and a person, benefiting the players who I work with.
At Langley, I am looking forward to continuing to support and further develop the pupils at the school, both on and off the pitch, with their future exit routes and pathways. I am aware of some of the previous success stories from the LFA and the most recent being Matty Ward, playing with him at Wroxham FC throughout his transition into senior football.

Growing up in a hockey family, I started playing at just 4 years old and I very quickly developed a deep love for the sport. I pursued the game passionately and progressed through the levels, having the privilege of representing England at both U16 and U18 level.
I knew I wanted to channel my passion for hockey into a career focused on coaching and working with young people. I went on to study Sports Coaching at Loughborough, where I played for the university’s 1st team and gained valuable National League experience. I’ve accumulated nearly a decade of National League playing experience, and I currently captain the Ladies 1st team at Harleston Magpies Hockey Club.
Today, I lead the Junior Coaching Programme at Magpies alongside my role at Langley, drawing on my extensive experience both as a player and a coach. My aim at Langley is to inspire pupils to enjoy playing hockey, foster a lasting connection with sport, and build the skills and confidence that will serve them both on and off the pitch.

Born and raised in Norwich I played a number of different sports growing up. Attending Wymondham College I developed a passion for cricket, playing for Mattishall Cricket Club (where I still play today). Outside of school I was a very keen swimmer which inspired a move to America for university as a student athlete, studying Pre-Medicine and Pre-Professional Zoology.

After my degree, I returned to the UK but continued remote education through the University of Florida, studying Exercise Physiology and Human Performance.

My objectives for Langley Cricket will always be to provide opportunity for girls and boys to develop their cricket skills from beginner to advanced levels through year-round cricket provision and athletic development protocols. I believe that teaching young people to move well and apply transferable skills across all sports is key to sporting success long term.

Outside of my Head of Cricket role I am a Senior Coach at PERFIT Fitness, Norwich where I work with a diverse community of individuals as part of a Personal Training service.