Special guests confirmed for 2024 State Coaching Conferences

Football Australia Elite Programs Manager Ian Crook, ParaMatildas head coach Kelly Stirton and Newcastle Jets head coach Rob Stanton are among several high-profile speakers confirmed for the 2024 Regional and Metro NNSWF State Coaching Conferences

The State Coaching Conference is an informative day full of lectures and workshops from industry leading coaches. 

Northern NSW Football Technical Director Ryan Doidge said he looked forward to another year of successful regional and metro events. 

“NNSWF’s coaching conferences will be two informative days of relevant lectures and workshops from high profile industry leaders and experts that participants can tailor to suit their own program,” Doidge said.  

“I challenge all coaches who attend to have an open mind and tailor the information received to be relevant to their own environment. 

“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for coaches to network with other coaches from our region alongside advanced coaches obtaining five CPD hours.”

Why get involved? 

  • Hear from industry leaders and experts on the current state of coaching 

  • Walk away with new coaching insights, tips, methods and processes for season 2025

  • Network with other advanced coaches 

  • Participants are eligible for five CPD hours 

2024 NNSWF Regional Coaching Conference  
Date: Sunday 1 December 2024 
Time: 9am to 4pm  
Location: Coffs Coast Synthetics  
Cost: $120   
Who: Open to all coaches, with individuals holding a current advanced license receiving five CPD hours 
REGISTER HERE 
Having trouble registering? Click HERE for assistance. 

2024 NNSWF Metro Coaching Conference  
Date: Sunday 8 December 2024  
Time: 9am to 4pm  
Location: Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility  
Cost: $120  
Who: Open to all coaches, with individuals holding a current advanced license receiving five CPD hours 
REGISTER HERE  
Having trouble registering? Click HERE for assistance. 


NNSWF COACHING CONFERENCE SPEAKERS  

Northern NSW Football has released the details of the first keynote speakers for the conferences with additional speakers to be announced. 

Metro Coaching Conference – 8 December 2024

Ian Crook – Football Australia Elite Programs Manager

Ian is Football Australia’s Elite Programs Manager and is a highly respected coach, technical director and player nationally and internationally. 

Ian’s background includes serving as technical director at Western Sydney Wanderers where he helped to steer the club to multiple Football NSW Club Championships, National Premier League grand final victories, Youth League Championships as well as help to develop the next generation of players.  

He also made 418 appearances in the English Premier League and Championship as a player before he forged a career in coaching with Northen Spirit, Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets, Avispa Fukuoka and Norwich City. 

Rob Stanton - Newcastle Jets FC Head Coach 

Rob Stanton is the head coach of the Newcastle Jets and has an extensive background in player development and elite football coaching domestically with Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC. 

Rob’s background includes serving as Sydney FC assistant coach, with the club winning two championships and a premiership during his tenure. Stanton also served as Sydney FC’s youth team coach where he won multiple titles, while helping to nurture the club’s academy players. He was also head coach of the Australia Deaf Football team for four years. 

Rob also coached in the NSW NPL, winning a championship and two Waratah Cups with Sutherland Sharks.

Kelly Stirton – ParaMatildas Head Coach 

Kelly is the ParaMatildas’ head coach and has helped to provide more opportunities for players of all abilities to play football. 

She has played a key role in the growth of the ParaMatildas as the inaugural coach and developed Canberra United’s All-Abilities Academy and Powerchair team. 

Kelly’s background also includes serving as the assistant technical director at Capital Football and Canberra United’s club and team manager. 

Ryan Doidge - Northern NSW Football Technical Director 

Ryan Doidge is Northern NSW Football’s Technical Director. His role is to oversee the talented player pathway and all coach education across northern NSW.  

Since commencing his role in July 2022, Ryan has played a part in upskilling a large number of NNSWF coaches in their coaching journey in formal and informal coach education. He also manages NNSWF players on the talented player pathway through the implementation and delivery of the Talent Support Program culminating in northern NSW players performing at the National Youth Championships.  

Through previous roles with New York Red Bulls, Western Sydney Wanderers, North Shore Mariners, Northbridge Bulls and Dee Why FC, Ryan has built a wealth of experience in improving opportunities for players and coaches at all levels from grass roots to the professional game. 

Ryan is accredited by Asian Football Confederation and Football Australia to deliver B and C advance coach accreditation courses and has earned an AFC A coaching diploma.

Brett Angell – Northern NSW Football Talent Development Officer

Brett is Northern NSW Football’s Talent Development Officer and is responsible for organising and supporting regional and metropolitan coach education for Talent Support Program coaches and community in the NNSWF region. He also supports player development. 

Brett played in the English Premier League with Everton and Sunderland before becoming involved in coach and player development. 

Prior to working with NNSWF, he was the coach educator at New Zealand Football, Federation Development Manager at Central Football Federation and Technical Director of Napier Marist FC. 

John Kobiela – Newcastle Jets Head of High Performance and Sports Science 

John is the Newcastle Jets’ Head of High Performance and Sports Science. He plays a key role at the club in managing the delivery of strength and conditioning, sport science and injury rehabilitation programs along with monitoring players.

He has extensive experience within the high performance and sports science space working with multiple clubs including Melbourne City, Avondale FC, South Melbourne FC, True Bangkok United and Ratchaburi Mitrphol. 

John was also the Sports Science/ Football Conditioning Coach at Football Australia and the Sports Science/ Strength and Conditioning Coach at the Football Federation of Malaysia.  


Regional Coaching Conference – 1 December 2024

Kelly Stirton – ParaMatildas Head Coach

Kelly is the ParaMatildas’ head coach and has helped to provide more opportunities for players of all abilities to play football. 

She has played a key role in the growth of the ParaMatildas as the inaugural coach and developed Canberra United’s All-Abilities Academy and Powerchair team. 

Kelly’s background also includes serving as the assistant technical director at Capital Football and Canberra United’s club and team manager. 

Davide Bertamini – Football Queensland Coach Education Manager

Davide is Football Queensland’s Coach Education Manager and plays a vital role in the recruitment and development of coaches within the Queensland region. 

He is also an Advanced Coaching Course Assessor through Football Australia. Davide has extensive experience in football, working at Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Mariners, Football Victoria and South Melbourne FC. 

Damien Zane - Newcastle Jets Youth Team Coach 

Damien Zane is Newcastle Jets’ Youth Team Coach, responsible for building and developing the youth players within the Newcastle Jets Academy. 

Damien also held the position of head coach at Northern NSW Football for the National Youth Championships under-16s boys team. 

Damien is a four-time NPL Men’s NNSW premiership-winner as head coach at Edgeworth FC before taking up the role of head coach at Broadmeadow Magic. He is well esteemed and respected in the Hunter region as a four-time winner of the Coach of the Year award in the NPL Men’s NNSW competition. 

Ryan Doidge - Northern NSW Football Technical Director 

Ryan Doidge is Northern NSW Football’s Technical Director. His role is to oversee the talented player pathway and all coach education across northern NSW.  

Since commencing his role in July 2022, Ryan has played a part in upskilling a large number of NNSWF coaches in their coaching journey in formal and informal coach education. He also manages NNSWF players on the talented player pathway through the implementation and delivery of the Talent Support Program culminating in northern NSW players performing at the National Youth Championships.  

Through previous roles with New York Red Bulls, Western Sydney Wanderers, North Shore Mariners, Northbridge Bulls and Dee Why FC, Ryan has built a wealth of experience in improving opportunities for players and coaches at all levels from grass roots to the professional game. 

Ryan is accredited by Asian Football Confederation and Football Australia to deliver B and C advance coach accreditation courses and has earned an AFC A coaching diploma.

Brett Angell – Northern NSW Football Talent Development Officer

Brett is Northern NSW Football’s Talent Development Officer and is responsible for organising and supporting regional and metropolitan coach education for Talent Support Program coaches and community in the NNSWF region. He also supports player development. 

Brett played in the English Premier League with Everton and Sunderland before becoming involved in coach and player development. 

Prior to working with NNSWF, he was the coach educator at New Zealand Football, Federation Development Manager at Central Football Federation and Technical Director of Napier Marist FC.