Head of Phase Appointments

Carrick Rangers Academy is pleased to announce our new Head of Phase personnel.

With over 300 kids enrolled, Carrick Rangers FC takes great pride in its Academy set up, providing local boys and girls, aged 5 right up to 18, the opportunity to keep active and play football.


The Academy set-up has over 70 coaches across 14 age groups, and has recently undergone a restructure to create 4 new roles, known as Head of Phases, with each coach managing a specific age group;


  • Discovery Phase  (U7-U9)

  • Skill Acquisition Phase  (U10-U12)

  • Game Training Phase  (U13-U15)

  • Performance Phase  (NIFL U16-U18)

Each Head of Phase position is responsible for identifying talent that is ready to move up a playing level, as well as mentoring and assisting other coaches.


In addition to this, a separate working committee has been created, this group will oversee the running of the Academy, reducing the administration time coaches were previously responsible for and ultimately providing our young players with more time to work on their skills and enjoy the game.


Speaking about the restructuring, Interim Head of Academy, John McAllister said, 


“We are delighted to have made the appointments of our Heads of Phase as part of our restructuring project which began last year. We are excited by the interest in the roles and the candidates we were able to select who each bring wide ranging qualities and fresh ideas.


We believe that the heads of phase will help us to provide the best environment for players to develop and enjoy their football. There are a number of other exciting aspects of the restructure still to come and we look forward to implementing these over the coming months including coach education and curriculum.


I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to our Academy who have worked very hard to help put this in place, we have much to look forward to this upcoming year.”


In addition, Carrick Rangers First Team Manager, Niall Currie added, “It is important for our Club that we are in a position to bring through our own young talent, we have already given a number of young players that have developed in the Academy an opportunity at First Team level and we understand the importance of continuing to do that to encourage their development.


The work our Academy coaches put in is invaluable, and I look forward to seeing the young players at Carrick Rangers Football Club continue to grow under their guidance.”

Discovery Phase (U7-U9) - Cameron Benson/Daniel Lafferty
Our youngest age groups will be led by Cameron Benson and Daniel Lafferty.

Cameron, who is already coaching at the Academy will be a familiar face to many. He is currently studying an undergraduate degree in Football Coaching and Business Management at Ulster University, in partnership with the Irish FA and also holds Level 1 and Disability Level 1 Qualifications. With several years’ experience coaching at both 2003 and 2010 age groups, Cameron also planned and delivered the 2019 Summer League for SSG age groups.

Assisting Cameron will be Daniel Lafferty. Daniel, with 15 years’ experience at CRFC Academy, is also a familiar face to us, having coached at every age group in that time. More recently, Daniel has moved to full-time football coaching, with 5 years’ experience coaching within the Irish FA set-up, he also currently runs his own Football coaching company called DL Coaching. This work sees him deliver sessions to various local schools and organisations such as the IFA and Glasgow Rangers. Daniel has an Honours Degree in Sports Coaching and a Higher National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science and is currently in the final stage of obtaining his UEFA  A Licence.

We look forward to working with both Cameron and Daniel in this new role.


Skill Acquisition Phase (U10-U12) - Kris Dines

Kris has been at Carrick Rangers for a number of years, firstly coming through the Academy as a player from U13 - Reserves, and then started coaching with the Carrick Rangers Academy 2007 team in 2015. Kris has also coached in the United States and currently works within the Northern Ireland Women’s & Girls Performance Pathway as a coach & performance analyst. Kris is currently continuing his coaching development, he is undergoing his UEFA B badge and studying a Masters in Sports Coaching & Performance at Ulster University.

Good luck in your new role, Kris!

Game Training Phase (U13-U15) - David Montgomery

We welcome back to CRFC, former player David Montgomery, who having signed in 1990 went on to score 17 goals, including in both the Final and subsequent Replay of the 1992/93 County Antrim Shield in which Carrick Rangers were victorious. David has coaching experience at St Andrews as well as U15 Coaching and Head of Assessment positions with Coaching 4 Christ. He currently holds an FA Level 2 Qualification, UEFA B Licence (1) and Professional Football Scouts Association Level 2 and is also an Irish FA Coach Mentor.

Welcome back, David!

Performance Phase (U16-U18) - Graham Sloan

Graham has been involved with football both as a player and a coach for over 20 years and will bring a wealth of experience to our new structure. He is no stranger to these age groups having previously coached with Crusaders FC U18’s and Bangor FC U20’s, along with his experience from senior level, coaching at Glentoran and 1st Bangor. Currently progressing through his UEFA A Licence he also operates Galactico Soccer, a football program for boys and girls aged 3-16. Graham is a passionate believer in the player pathway and the development of players capable of playing Premiership football.

Welcome to Carrick Rangers, Graham!