A key appointment in the plan of developing the academy is the head coach of Young Queen’s Park. The head coach will lead the developmental activities with the apprentice group, as explained in the ‘Queen’s Park start with the Young Team‘ article. He will be the main coach for the young prospects from the first team and the apprentice players, when they are training separate from the first team. Also with each young player on their own individualised pathway it will be Owen’s responsibility to co-ordinate that programme.

Owen has worked in a number of different football disciplines, ranging from male and female football, disability football where he was appointed head coach for the England Amputee National Football Team. He also worked as a director for Co2 Sports Management who represent professional sports athletes and coaches. Alongside having managed in a range of performance environment within sports and business.

Marijn Beuker: ‘Owen has an modern understanding about football, in addition to a wide range of different experiences’

“As well as getting the ‘right’ type of players into the club, we are also looking for staff members with the ‘right’ characteristics. People who are passionate, energetic and ambitious. People who are open to new ideas, can understand new ways of working and are not afraid to challenge existing practice. I had a connection with Owen before his father (Owen Sr) was appointed first team head coach, so I got to know him as person as well as a coach. Although a young coach, Owen has an modern understanding about football, in addition to a wide range of different experiences. His skills and experienced can only add to our programme. We are building a group of staff in our Academy setup with specific skills and competences who will compliment one another. In addition , with Owen, there is a connection to the first team head coach and assistant which will benefit the club in terms of togetherness.”

Owen Coyle: ‘When the opportunity to join Queen’s Park was presented to me, through Marijn, I was delighted to accept’

“I have been involved in football, coaching and management for over ten years since completing my apprenticeship at Lancashire Football Football Association in 2012. I have work within a number of different football disciplines and was appointed Head Coach for the England Amputee National Football team when I was 18 years old. I had been observing the work Marijn was doing at the club and that greatly interested me. I also had connections with a number of players who had played with the club so when the opportunity to join Queen’s Park, was presented to me, I was delighted to accept. I hope to bring a range of experience from outside to add to the club along with an openness to develop myself. This is a tremendous project that is exciting to be contributing to and I can’t wait to start.”