Gavin Benjafield Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, California, United States

• Responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary Performance Team• This incorporates strength & conditioning, sports science, nutrition, physiotherapy and medical services• Support the development and performance of professional players and youth players• Lead daily meetings with the Head Coach and Technical Staff• Ensure the continual achievement of best practice to maximise development and performance• Enhance the delivery and effectiveness of performance support services to coaches and players• Design, implement and monitor safe and effective strength & conditioning programmes• Do so to increase players’ performance and availability• Coordinate with physiotherapists to implement player-focused injury prevention programmes• Liaise with sports medicine staff regarding injured and rehabilitating players• Implement recovery and regeneration sessions to counteract congested match scheduling• Identify and coordinate continuous professional development programmes• Lead the annual process of reviewing and allocating the department’s budget and resources• Build trusted partnerships with key external stakeholdersKey achievements2023✓ Concacaf Champions League finalist2022✓ MLS Cup winners✓ MLS Supporters’ Shield winners (the MLS League title after 34 regular games prior to play-offs)✓ Western Conference champions✓ Became the first club to achieve the MLS Cup and MLS Supporters’ Shield double since 20172020✓ Concacaf Champions League finalist (the third MLS team to reach this final since 2000)2019✓ MLS Supporters’ Shield winners (the MLS League title after 34 regular games prior to play-offs)✓ Set record for most points in an MLS season, 72✓ Recorded the highest goal difference +48 in a campaign✓ Equalled record set by LA Galaxy in 1998 for most goals scored 85✓ Broke the record of fastest team to clinch playoff spot, doing so after 25 games✓ Became the fastest team in MLS history to achieve 100 points, doing so after 53 games

London, United Kingdom

• Responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary Performance Team• Incorporated strength & conditioning, sports science, nutrition, physiotherapy and medical services• Supported the development and performance of professional players and youth players• Led daily meetings with the Head Coach and Technical Staff• Ensured the continual achievement of best practice to both maximise development and performance• Enhanced the delivery and effectiveness of performance support services to coaches and players• Designed, implemented and monitored safe and effective strength & conditioning programmes• Did so to increase players’ performance and availability• Coordinated with physiotherapists to implement player-focused injury prevention programmes• Liaised with sports medicine staff regarding injured and rehabilitating players• Utilised and monitored extra loading sessions• Implemented recovery and regeneration sessions to counteract congested match scheduling• Frequently tested players to monitor power and speed development• Provided visible and positive leadership to staff and players• Worked proactively to build positive relationships with each individual• Identified and coordinated continuous professional development programmes• Led the annual process of reviewing and allocated the department’s budget and resources• Built trusted partnerships with key external stakeholders• Acted as the primary point of contact for partners and suppliers

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Key achievementsDrove a reduction in first team player injury rates and increase in availability that was highlighted in a UEFA Injury Study:✓ 2008 - 2012: Average of 49 injuries and 1155 days lost per season.✓ 2012 - 2016: Average of 33 injuries and 755 days lost per season. Implemented several key process changes and built new partnerships that facilitated improved performance, including:✓ Expanded load monitoring using GPS tracking across the reserve and U19 team (75 total players).✓ Contributed to the full renovation of the club’s gym into a High Performance Centre.✓ Initiated the Amsterdam University internship programme. ✓ Provide full-time and season-long opportunities within the Sports Science Department.2014/15✓ UEFA Champions League. 2013/14✓ Eredivisie League Title. ✓ Dutch Cup Title. ✓ UEFA Champions League.2012/13✓ Eredivisie League Title.✓ Dutch Cup Title. ✓ UEFA Champions League.

South Africa

• Fulfilled all responsibilities outlined above with Ajax Cape Town• Supported the development and performance of 30 full time professional players and 110 youth players• The club is owned by Ajax Amsterdam and operates as talent-feeder system into Europe • Followed the performance framework set out by Ajax Amsterdam• Worked to adapt and improve these methods to the specific requirements of the players and resources

South Africa

• ETA is South Africa’s leader in educational programmes for the sport and fitness industry• Managed the 1st and 2nd year courses• Delivered lectures and provided ongoing mentoring and support to students

• Consulted with several high schools across South Africa• Did so to lead the development, monitoring and physical improvement of talented athletes• Identified talent that would frequently represent their country at national level• The company specialised in providing performance support services to rugby and hockey teams • This was with players aged 15 to 19 years old. Key achievements✓ Built longstanding consultancy relationships with 19 schools, 25 coaches and 650 athletes✓ Did so within four years

• Hellenic was a professional football club based in Cape Town, South Africa• Had 30 full time professional players and 100 youth players• The club specialised in youth development • Also had one of the most successful academies in South Africa prior to its sale in 2004

Bangladesh

• Bangladesh is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with Test and One Day status• Performed a lead role in developing and driving a new understanding of Sports Science • Also developed understanding of Strength & Conditioning principles amongst cricketers and coaches

Pg Honors: Exercise Physiology & Sports Science

Bsc: Exercise Physiology & Sports Science