martyn hansford
Martyn Hansford brings 22 years of coaching club and high school soccer and 6 years as a director of coaching to the club. Martyn is currently the coach of the Girls Varsity team at Torrey Pines High School, where he has led the program for 11 seasons. He’s also coached for Boys Varsity teams at San Dieguito Academy and Newport Harbor high schools and Girls Varsity at Escondido High School.
Martyn grew up in Birmingham England and was fortunate to live opposite a park, leading to a childhood filled with sport, climbing trees, riding bikes and playing football. He also loved to play Cricket, Rugby, Basketball, Tennis, Swimming and even played American football without the helmets and pads! His passion for sport has continued to this day. He is deeply interested in history and eventually would like to teach history full time. He feels that good coaches are good teachers and vice versa.
Martyn describes his coaching style as guided discovery. He shares that “Football requires relentless decision making from players so my approach is to challenge players to learn how to solve problems and equip themselves with the mental tools as much as the technical and physical attributes needed to be successful. I am passionate about creating a strong togetherness and a team culture that encourages players to express themselves and to be courageous and creative. I am a firm believer that players experiences on and off the pitch with their team can provide lessons and experiences as valuable as what they receive in the classroom. “
Martyn also shares that, “I hope that some of my passion and joy of the game is absorbed by all the players that I coach. I am a fanatical supporter of Aston Villa football club and the England national teams. My greatest love however is for my son, Harrison. It is a special privilege to be his dad and I have been overjoyed to see him increasingly play football. He has of course been indoctrinated as both an Aston Villa and England fan. My most important aspiration is for him to be a good person and to be happy. I hope that my coaching in part helps my players to be the same.”
More About Coach Hansford
USSF D License
Also works as a substitute teacher
Happiest in the outdoors, enjoy camping and riding his motorcycle
Other hobbies include listening to music, podcasts, reading, playing golf, and boxing training