Mission Statement
Quadrant Performance DNA Academy (“QPA”) was founded in 2018 as a means to provide platforms for players to break into the semi-professional and professional game. The company is currently split into two different entities, a Limited Company and a Community Interest Company (“CIC”)
Our aim is simple - to provide a better present and future to the young people of South London than what we encountered. We use football as our chosen vessel
Since our inception in 2018, we have pivoted significantly to providing coaching and mentoring services to community organisations in and around South London; most of these services are achieved through funding applications either directly or indirectly. We are proud to currently run sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, ranging from football to multisports to walking football!
The team is currently headed up by Tiago as the CEO of both companies. In August 2021, Nelson joined the team originally to head up the U18 Academy but has since expanded to include roles managing all Community roles as our Community Director. In April 2022, Joseph was also promoted to Technical Director within QPA, heading up the Sports Management division. In August 2023, Joseph was also given a role as Community Director to further integrate the divisions that we run.
Meet the team below!
Tiago Mendes
Director
Tiago began his professional career in England before moving and exploring playing abroad in Portugal gaining a wealth of invaluable experience.
Upon returning to England he carried on playing but started to grow and learn different areas of the industry. Roles varied from coaching, and scouting. As an elite sportsman himself, Tiago has always had a keen interest in sport, so a progression into sports management was the natural next step and resulted in him establishing QPA with business partner Kishan Prince in 2018.
Over the years Tiago has become established with sporting success, from initially discovering and nurturing grassroots and non league talent. His success and influence has reached Portugal, amongst more eastern European countries.
More recently, Tiago’s most notable success culminated in being recognised for his work within his local community where he mentors young people and offers pathways for players who have recently been released from academies but still want to be involved within the industry.
Nelson Alves
Director
Nelson began coaching in amateur U21’s football at the age of 16, working under a vastly experienced coach. This role developed into a Co-Manager position in 2017/18, culminating in a 6 game win streak, a club record at the time. Seeking pastures new at the end of the season, the bumpy road eventually led him to an Assistant Manager role at Erith Town U14s, that season itself taking him on a victory tour including the Kent Youth League.
His tenacity and dedication did not go unnoticed as he found home assisting with match day analysis, and later training and matchday coaching, with Erith Town’s first team in the SCEFL Premier Division (Step 5.) After 2.5 seasons, spanning 2 years and 2 covid-stricken years, he departed to focus “full-time” on Quadrant Performance Academy
Nelson has so far helped establish a professional culture, from the quality of training sessions, reinforcing club standards, organisation and communication all the way to match-day preparation, everything is set up to allow as seamless a transition as possible for our players.
With experience coaching all ages, from 3 to Adults, Nelson carries with him a wealth of experience that is key in strengthening roots in the local community and providing a high-standard of care to our young people.