Keegan Walker Email & Phone Number

United States

Ocln

Ocln

Doha, Qatar

Played a lead role in generating over 300,000 visits to the University Sport and Wellness facilities and services on an annual basis. Trained and developed a significant customer service team consisting of over 30 student employees who have been empowered to oversee high quality customer service experience to all users. Consistently strive to exceed fiscal revenue generation targets and ensure that the department can comfortably finance specific staffing positions as well as a large compliment of student employees. Negotiator in the eventual signing of a significant contract between the University and FIFA for the use of the facilities to serve as an official team base camp training site. A largely successful component of the negotiations was to secure legacy benefits for the University beyond the FIFA World Cup including a fully replaced and upgraded football pitch (same standard of surface offered in the stadiums), brand new FIFA broadcasting standard floodlights, high level irrigation system, advanced training equipment, media center building and various other benefits. Support the on-boarding and completion of a brand new, extremely complex construction project of the Sport Multi-Purpose Hall at the University, consisting of 3 indoor padel courts, squash courts and futsal, volleyball and basketball courts. Lead the hosting of several successful high profile sport events including a David Beckham visit event, A PSG First Team player & coach visit to the University, a campus wide National Sports Day event, and International University Sport Week. Awarded the “Excellence in University Service Award” by the President in November 2022.

Doha, Qatar

Recruited by the University to serve as Head Football Coach initially on a part time basis during my employment at Future Sports Football Academy by September 2019 I accepted the role on a full-time basis. Drastically improved the standards and quality of the football program, instilling important values such as commitment to training sessions, punctuality, effort and being coachable. Finished third in our first National University Football Tournament in 2018, beating defending national champions – Qatar University who were unbeaten for 7 years. Finished fourth in the 2019 National University Football Tournament. Successfully entered the team into the Qatar Community Football League (QCFL) – the first and only post-secondary institution to compete in this league. Won promotion to the QCFL Second Division in our first season of competing in the league. Consistent improvement and exposure efforts of the program has exposed over 200 students to football, either as part of the first team squad, reserve squad or social/open training opportunities. In February 2023 UDST Football team competed in the 9th Edition of the GCC Games- guiding the team to the highest placed finish out of the local University teams. As of 2023, the University First Football Team competes in the Premier League (Highest level of amateur football in the country) with the desire to be crowned the best amateur football program in the country. As part of a high-level strategy on developing sport at the University, an elite athlete policy will be crated to ensure talented students are given certain academic and financial concessions as well as serve as a tool to recruit talented players in the high school system with ambitions of playing football at a competitive level and achieving their academic aspirations.

Qatar

Recruited by FIFA Q22 to initially join the organization on a full-time basis to serve in the role of Team Base Camp Manager through the FIFA Team Services Directorate. Instead of a full-time arrangement, an agreement was established between FIFA and the University of Doha allowing me to maintain my existing leadership role at the University but being seconded to FIFA for a period of 3 months. Successfully transitioned an imperfect training site to meet and eventually exceed FIFA training site requirements for the World Cup. Personally hosted site visits from significant National Teams including- Belgium, Holland, England, Spain, Switzerland, Algeria, Turkey and Cameroon. Main liaison for the team base camp training site selected by Switzerland ensuring that the teams needs were addressed prior to their arrival. Main liaison for the team base camp hotel selected by Switzerland, ensuring the teams needs were addressed prior to their arrival. Formed special relationships with delegates from the Switzerland National Team including their Director of Operations, Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Director of National Programs. Main coordinator and ensured all relevant functional areas prepared and delivered their operations successfully at the training site and hotel including and not limited to pitch management, security, transportation, media operations, catering, broadcast operations, cleaning & waste, workforce and more. Successfully managed pre-event stakeholders to ensure all deliveries, construction projects, pitch renovation, branding, equipment and other projects were actioned in a timely and quality manner. Key contributor to ensure the team’s behind the scenes operations were smooth to ensure success on the pitch- achieving a round of 16 finish in the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Qatar

Managed, coached and provided overall leadership to the PSG U13 Elite program and the U8 Basic Program. Formed meaningful relationships with players and parents and provided advice and support to assist young players on navigating their early teen years as it not only relates to football but academically and socially. Provided continuous individual feedback and termly evaluation reports for all players to ensure consistent individual improvement and team progression. Followed and implemented the PSG coaching methodology and ensure timely and appropriate session planning but given the freedom to adapt training sessions re-actively based on team and player requirements. Oversaw “try-out” sessions for PSG U13 players across the country, identifying and recruiting talent to join the elite squad. Unfortunately, did not experience any competitive league opportunities with the team due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its related restrictions.

Qatar

Joined the Academy initially in the role of “Head Academy Coach” overseeing daily training sessions for children from ages 3-16. Advocated and implemented an “Advanced” academy training group to offer higher quality players the opportunity to experience a higher level of coaching and organized competition. After the initial 3-month probation period, I was promoted to the role of Technical Director tasked with improving academy standards, increasing participation numbers and forming strategic partnerships with targeted stakeholders. Expanded the scope of the academy significantly, securing partnership contracts with the Swiss International School, Doha British School, Compass International School and Sherborne School Qatar. Grew the academy from 200 players to over 350 players in the space of a year and a half going from 1 site to 3 sites across the state. Key contributor to a significant Qatar Foundation Football Services Provider Tender Contract which engaged submissions from all local football academies with Future Sports Qatar successfully awarded the contract and still operating today.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Tasked with rejuvenating the RMF program and provided leadership and brought a sense of professionalism and organization the day-to-day operations. Worked closely with and provided significant mentoring to the existing coaches of the program (x3) with the intention of motivating them to work together for the program to achieve its full potential. Implemented daily session planning, review and analysis of sessions to ensure that content and delivery aligned with the methodology of the Real Madrid Foundation. Consistently increased the number of participants to the program’s maximum capacity of 60 fully sponsored under-privileged children between the ages of 6-16. Successfully gained the support of the Hout Bay International School to host the program utilizing their high-quality facilities. Negotiated and secured additional supports for the program including new training, match kit, training equipment, food services and tutoring support for players who were struggling academically. Through local contacts, created opportunities for the players to compete and play against local professional academies to create more exposure opportunities. Formed a close relationship with the RMF head office in Spain and participated in regular meetings and workshops, provided weekly progress reports, entertained visits from delegates and installed the confidence that the program continues to be a success and achieve its objectives. Formed impactful relationships with all players and parents and ensured that I was to be a role model, mentor and counsellor for the under-privileged children part of the program. A truly rewarding and remarkable experience that will never be forgotten.

South Africa

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Assistant Coach to Head Coaches George Dearnaley and Gerald Stober.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Manager of the West Coast Franchise, Consisting of 20 Schools, over 400 registered players and 4 full-time coaches

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Western Cape, South Africa

Head Coach - Ajax Cape Town Soccer Schools (U7- U15).

Uefa A License, Football Coaching And Management, Uefa A License

Uefa B License, Football Coaching And Management, Uefa B License

Higher Diploma, Management And Leadership, Higher Certificate

Diploma Of Education, Sport Management, Higher Diploma