Meet Jeff
A lifetime in football. Built around developing young people.
Jeff Hawkins has spent over three decades working in football and education, helping young people develop through sport, teamwork and shared experiences.
As Director of Sport at Thomas’s Battersea and former Head of PE at the school for over 10 years, Jeff has extensive experience leading sports programmes, organising residential trips and creating meaningful football opportunities for young players.
Alongside his work in education, Jeff has held professional roles within elite football, including Assistant Academy Director at Charlton Athletic, Academy Coaching Coordinator for Chicago Fire in the United States and Football Development Manager at Crystal Palace.
Through JHCC Living the Dream, Jeff now brings this experience together to deliver carefully structured football coaching camps and international tours, giving young players the opportunity to train, compete and grow in confidence within safe, supportive and well-organised environments.
Professional Experience
Director of Sport– Thomas’s Battersea
Leading the school’s sports programme and supporting students across a wide range of sports and activities.
Head of PE– Thomas’s Battersea
Managed a department of PE teachers and organised school sports tours and outdoor education experiences.
Assistant Academy Director– Charlton Athletic FC
Academy Coaching Coordinator– Chicago Fire Soccer Club
Football Development Manager– Crystal Palace FC
London Regional U13 Coordinator and Coach -Â ISFA
UEFA A Licensed Coach with a Masters Degree in Education
How Jeff Works
Jeff believes that the best football experiences are built on more than just training sessions and matches.
Every camp and tour is carefully structured to combine high-quality coaching with shared experiences that help young players grow in confidence, develop independence and build strong team bonds.
With extensive experience leading school groups, residential trips and international tours, Jeff focuses on creating environments that are safe, well organised and supportive for players, staff and parents.
Beyond the Pitch
Jeff is passionate about staying active and spending time outdoors with his family. When he isn’t working with young players, he enjoys travelling in the family campervan, kayaking, cycling and exploring new places.
He has completed several Ironman events, along with numerous marathons and ultra-distance races, reflecting a lifelong commitment to endurance sport. Each winter, he heads to the mountains for a skiing trip, swapping football boots for a snowboard.
These experiences reflect Jeff’s belief that sport, adventure and shared experiences play a powerful role in building resilience, confidence and strong team values.
Why people are talking about JHCC
Total Peace of Mind
Parents rave about our meticulous safeguarding and 24/7 care, led by a Director of Sport you can actually trust.
Proven Results
Clubs and schools highlight Jeff’s 30+ years of academy-level expertise as the reason behind our high-impact results.
A Lasting Impression
Our reputation is built on word-of-mouth from London’s most prestigious schools, delivering life-changing tours every year.