In Focus: Aston Villa & MiMentor - Creating A Unified Learning Hub For Development
Success on the pitch is built on teamwork, collaboration and continuous development—values that extend beyond players and coaches to the entire club workforce. Recognising this, Aston Villa FC teamed up with MiMentor at the start of the 2024/25 season to create a unified Education Hub—a centralised learning environment supporting professional development across multiple departments.
Empowering Academy Coaches
In September 2024, Aston Villa’s full-time academy coaches became the first to access MiMentor’s cutting-edge platform, tailored to the club’s needs. This provides a dedicated space for continuous learning, featuring MiMentor’s expert-led coaching library, CPD-accredited courses and AVFC-specific resources.
“Being remotely connected to coaches 24/7—allowing them to access content, CPD and best-practice discussions— has significantly enhanced personal development since embedding MiMentor into our programme,” said Ryan Maye, Head of Coaching.
The platform also offers built-in analytics to track progress and enable coaches to submit learning evidence through videos, written work and assessments, fostering active learning and practical application.
Enhancing Player Development & Education
Aston Villa’s Player Care Team utilises MiMentor to deliver structured curriculums tailored to different age groups, ensuring holistic player development beyond the pitch.
The Athlete Mentoring Programme, supported by MiMentor, provides blended learning through in-person workshops and online modules. Accredited by ASQ, it introduces ‘Friendtoring’, a peer mentoring approach where U18s learn mentoring fundamentals before supporting the next cohort as U21s.
Supporting Apprenticeships & BTEC Pathways
The Education Department, led by Head of Education Ben Ashby, uses MiMentor to enhance the delivery of BTEC and apprenticeship programmes. Acting as a central hub, the platform ensures structured learning, enabling players to balance football with their academic commitments.
“MiMentor has been invaluable in delivering our education programme,” said Ashby. “It provides extensive resources, detailed insights and reporting, helping us tailor support to our players’ needs.”
Fostering Collaboration with MiGroups
The MiGroups feature, launched in 2024, fosters collaborative learning by enabling coaches, tutors and players to share insights, discuss best practices and track progress via self-assessment targets. Players, parents and staff stay connected in real-time, creating a supportive learning ecosystem that enhances communication and engagement.
Future-Ready Learning at Aston Villa FC
By integrating MiMentor into its development strategy, Aston Villa FC has established a forward-thinking learning environment, empowering coaches, staff and players with the tools to grow and succeed. “Our goal is to evolve MiMentor into a true club-wide learning hub, supporting development across all areas of the organisation,” said James Baker, Co-Founder of MiMentor.
Reflecting on the first seven months of collaboration, Baker added: “We’re delighted with the progress so far and excited for what the new season will bring.”
For more information or to book a demo, contact: james@mimentorgroup.com
