Meet the Mind Behind the Numbers: Benjamin Leibowitz Joins Stephanian Ottery AFC Seniors Technical Team

By the We Are Stephs Desk

As Stephanian Ottery AFC sharpens its ambitions for the 2026 season, the club continues to strengthen not only on the pitch but also behind the scenes. One of the most exciting additions to the Seniors technical setup is Benjamin Leibowitz, a passionate football thinker who steps into the role of Team Data Analyst and brings with him fresh insight, modern analysis, and a deep love for the game.

A Journey Rooted in Passion and Purpose

Benjamin’s football journey has been shaped by curiosity, commitment, and a genuine desire to help players grow. He has played football recreationally for many years and naturally progressed into coaching, spending approximately three years coaching and assisting in Sunday League football. One of his proudest achievements came when he founded his own church league team and guided them to a second place finish in an end of season tournament. That achievement spoke volumes about his leadership and growing understanding of the game.

While coaching laid the foundation, Benjamin’s professional instincts drew him toward the analytical side of football. Data, patterns, and performance trends have always been his strength, and 2026 marks an exciting new chapter as he channels those skills into structured match and player analysis for the Stephanian Ottery AFC Seniors Squad.

Turning Football Into Insight

Benjamin’s analytical approach for the 2026 season is clear and firmly focused on player development. His mission is to break the game down into clear and actionable insights that players can easily understand and apply, while also providing coaches with valuable information to build consistency across the squad.

Through detailed match analysis and key moment breakdowns, Benjamin aims to help each player gain a deeper understanding of their individual strengths, areas for improvement, and the impact their decisions have on the team as a whole. He enjoys translating football into data and numbers that can be used effectively to refine and polish performance. Although this project is still in its early stages, his commitment to quality, growth, and continuous improvement is already evident.

In addition to his work with the Seniors Squad, Benjamin is also looking forward to assisting the Junior Division, where he hopes to help lay strong developmental foundations from an early age. By introducing simple performance insights and encouraging game understanding at youth level, he aims to support young players in building good habits, confidence, and football intelligence that will benefit them as they progress through the club.

A Vision That Goes Beyond the Numbers

In the short term, Benjamin’s focus is on improving general gameplay by allowing players to visualise their performances through simple and clear data. This information will give players the tools they need to identify weak areas in their game and work intentionally to turn those weaknesses into strengths.

Looking further ahead, the vision becomes even more exciting. Benjamin aims to dive deeper into the finer details of football by analysing the moments and patterns that are often missed during a normal match day. For him, analysis is not only about statistics, but also about context, decision making, and understanding the reasons behind every action on the pitch. The ultimate goal is to help players grow into smarter and more complete footballers who understand their role within the team on a higher tactical and mental level.

A Keeper’s Heart and a Moment to Remember

Despite his analytical focus, Benjamin’s love for the game remains deeply personal. Having spent a large part of his playing time as a goalkeeper, his favourite football memory is one that still stands out. He recalls saving a decisive penalty that sent his team through to the finals in their very first year, a moment that perfectly captures both the pressure and the magic of football.

Beyond Football: The Human Side

Away from the pitch, Benjamin brings plenty of personality to the technical team. He enjoys gaming, running kaalvoet, and unwinding with a hot chocolate. His favourite animal is the platypus, his favourite car of all time is the classic Volkswagen Beetle, and when it comes to sport, his support is unwavering. Go Bokke.