Northern NSW Football has held its 2025 State Coaching Conferences at Coffs Coast Synthetics and Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility with a record number of determined coaches.
More than 170 coaches across the northern NSW region attended the informative days, in Coffs Harbour on 30 November and Lake Macquarie on 7 December. Coaches took part in theory and practical sessions on the day delivered by leading professionals.
The conference speakers included Newcastle Jets A-League Men’s head coach Mark Milligan, Football Australia Talent Development Scheme Project Manager Annick Fokchak, NNSWF Chief Medical Officer Ross Cairns, Junior Matildas lead physiotherapist Stella Veith, Football Coaches Australia’s Mara Watts, NNSWF goalkeeping coach Greg Lowe and Kahibah FC head coach Blair Newham.
Attendees also took part in practical sessions led by Junior Matildas head coach Mike Cooper and assistant coach Helen Winterburn, Newcastle Jets A-League Women’s head coach Stephen Hoyle, Hunter Valley Football Technical Director Joseph Wright, Broadmeadow Magic head coach Jim Cresnar, Newcastle Jets A-League Men’s goalkeeping coach Jess Vanstratten and NNSWF Talent Development Officer Brett Angell.
Cooper emphasised the importance of coaches attending conferences.
“The coach is the biggest stakeholder in our game and they’ve really got the game in their hands. Everything they do is going to help the players enjoy it, stay in the game and improve,” Cooper said.
“Attending coaching conferences will help them develop, learn new skills and reinforce things that they’re already comfortable doing.
“By doing so, coaches will take the knowledge back to their clubs and help their players and the game will continue to improve by coaches doing this.”
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge was thrilled with the success of the conferences.
“The 2025 Northern NSW Football coaching conferences were fantastic days full of collaboration, networking and professional development,” Doidge said.
“A massive thank you to the presenters who delivered such valuable, industry-leading sessions for our coaches across the two conferences.
“I’m looking forward to seeing our coaches put into practice the tips and tricks that they take away from the sessions that were delivered.
“We’re excited for 2026 and seeing everyone around the grounds.”