A Unified Hub For Development
by JamieAston Villa and MiMentor: Creating A Unified Learning and Development Hub
Success on the pitch is built on teamwork, collaboration, and continuous development – values that extend beyond the coaches and players to the entire club workforce.
Recognising this, Aston Villa Football Club integrated MiMentor at the start of the 2024/25 season to create a unified Education Hub – an all-in-one learning environment designed to support the professional development of staff across multiple departments.
Empowering Academy Coaches
In September 2024, Aston Villa’s full-time academy coaches became the first to access a cutting-edge platform tailored to Aston Villa Football Club, powered by MiMentor, providing a dedicated space for continuous learning and professional growth. The platform integrates MiMentor’s expert-led holistic coaching library, giving coaches access to an extensive range of CPD-accredited courses and resources tailored to their development needs.
“Being remotely attached to your coaches 24/7, and for coaches to be able to access content and CPD, as well as being part of groups that share best practice and resources, at times of their choosing, has significantly enhanced personal development since we have embedded MiMentor into our programme,” said Ryan Maye, Aston Villa’s Head of Coaching.
The library hosts courses and resources from both MiMentor and AVFC with in-built analytics to track and monitor course progress and enable coaches to submit their evidence of learning through videos, written submissions, and other formats, enabling active learning and practical application.
Expanding Player Care and Development
Aston Villa’s Player Care Team is also utilising MiMentor to deliver structured curriculums tailored to different age groups. Through the platform, players can access essential educational content, ensuring holistic development beyond the pitch.
Additionally, the Athlete Mentoring Programme, a bespoke initiative supported by MiMentor, was introduced to assist U18 players. The two-year blended delivery with in-person workshops and online modules is an accredited programme by Associated Sports Qualifications (ASQ). It focuses on ‘Friendtoring’, a peer mentoring approach that encourages players to support and guide each other.
Player Education and Development – Supporting Apprenticeships and BTEC Pathways
Aston Villa FC Head of Education, Ben Ashby, has been leveraging the MiMentor Platform to elevate the delivery of education curriculums across BTEC and apprenticeship programmes. Serving as a central hub for the club’s educational content, MiMentor ensures a structured and accessible learning experience for players navigating the demands of both football and academics.
“MiMentor has played a key role in delivering the Academy’s education programme,” said Ashby. “The platform provides a wealth of resources as well as detailed insights and reporting, which has been invaluable.”
MiGroups Collaboration and Sharing
MiMentor’s MiGroups feature, launched in 2024, fosters a collaborative learning environment. It allows coaches to share insights, discuss best practices, and engage with their peers – a feature that has already benefited organisations worldwide.
Meanwhile, players, parents, tutors, and club education staff can collaborate in real time, track progress with self-assessment targets, and share weekly updates. MiGroups enables clear communication, personalised support and helps all at the football club stay engaged in their development journey.
Future-Ready Learning Ecosystem: Expanding for the 2025/26 Season
By adding MiMentor to the club’s day-to-day development strategy, Aston Villa FC has established a future-ready learning environment, seamlessly integrating professional education for coaches, staff, and players.
James Baker, Co-Founder of MiMentor, said, “The goal is to evolve the platform into a true club-wide learning hub, supporting professional development initiatives across all areas of the organisation.”
Reflecting on the first seven months supporting Aston Villa FC, Baker added, “We are thrilled with how we have been able to integrate and support Aston Villa FC and are excited for what the new season will bring.”
This forward-thinking approach, which has been showcased in FC Business Magazine, ensures that learning is not just an obligation but a strategic advantage, helping Aston Villa FC develop stronger coaches, more informed players, and a more connected, high-performing organisation.
