KYLE Quigley can usually be found installing outdoor buildings in gardens around South Yorkshire but, from next month, he will be coaching at the Olympic Games.
The 50-year-old – who is originally from Northern Ireland but has lived in Barnsley for 25 years – has been a non-league footballer and coach as well as serving in the armed forces.
He worked from 2017 to 2019 at Barnsley FC as an academy coach and scout from under 11s to under 15s.
Last year he started working as a first team coach for the Nigerian women’s team who reached the World Cup and have now qualified for the Olympics in Paris which start next month.
He also runs Doncaster-based KJS Garden Buildings, constructing and installing summer houses and other buildings in gardens.
Quigley, who lives in Ward Green, is due to work up until attending a training camp near Marbella in Spain from July 5.
“People can’t believe it, and just laugh, when I am working in their garden and tell them I also coach an international football team,” said Quigley.
“I’ll be working up until the training camp then it’s off to the Olympics.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity which I have to take.
“I am very fortunate to have a group of people who can fill in for me at work and a wife who will take time out from her job to help when I am away.”
Quigley is enjoying working with the Nigerian team.
“The captain messaged me saying she expects me to know national anthem for the Olympics. That’s another thing I have to sort out before I go.
“It’s a very religious country but I am a Christian so I love all that.
“I really like going to Nigeria and they are a great bunch of girls.”
Whereas men’s football at the Olympics is for mostly under 23s and not generally considered as prestigious as other major tournaments, it is a significant event in the women’s game.
“It’s the ultimate to go to the World Cup and Olympics within a year.
“It’s been a tough qualifying campaign.
“We beat South Africa and Cameroon.
“I have been to 15 different airports but it has all been worth it.
“The girls all did really well and they are all up for it and looking forward to it.
“We are in a group of death again with Spain, Japan and Brazil. They are three of the top ten in the world.
“But the Nigerian girls have made a name for themselves.
“I went to a FIFA event in March. Everyone was saying ‘we hope we don’t get Nigeria.’
“It’s the first time the Nigerian women have qualified for the Olympics in 16 years so it’s a big thing.
“Our goal was to get there. But our competitive nature is taking over and we think we can get out of the group.
“If we do, it will be an even better achievement than at the World Cup.”
Nigeria qualified through their group at last year’s World Cup in Australia then lost on penalties to eventual finalists England.
“We can take positives from the World Cup that will stand us in good stead for the Olympics.
“We beat the hosts Australia, drew with the Olympic champions Canada and should have beaten England.
“We are a year on and a lot more experienced now.
“The girls don’t fear anyone now.”
Quigley could be set for even more travelling in the future.
“The big dream is to move to America.
“The Nigeria head coach Randy Waldron is American and a big name back there.
“He might end up back there at some point with a club and he’s told me I will be coming with him.
“That would be a full-time coaching role which would be ideal for me.”
