OFC Coaches Conference 2025

Looking to sharpen your coaching skills and learn from some of the best minds in the game? Don’t miss the OFC Coaches Conference 2025!

This online event brings together world-class coaches who will share their knowledge and insights across every level of the game — from grassroots to youth development to the professional stage.

Whether you’re just starting your coaching journey or you’ve been on the sidelines for years, there’s something here for everyone. Register today and take your coaching to the next level.

CPD

OFC / NZ Football Qualifications – 50 CPD points if you view 6 hours or more.
Football Australia Qualifications – 5 CPD hours if you view 5 hours or more. (Viewing must be completed by December 14th for CPD to be valid for FA qualifications)

Please note – viewing less than the amounts listed above will not gain any CPD recognition.

Ticket Information
OFC Coaching Conference	$50 NZD
Oceania based learners - Sign in to access Complimentary Ticket .

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Skye Eddy

Founder at Soccer Parenting & The Sideline Project

Skye Eddy

Founder at Soccer Parenting & The Sideline Project

Recognized leader in youth sports, combining expertise in sport, media, education, technology, and digital marketing to improve the youth soccer ecosystem. As a consultant to federations, leagues, and clubs, drives initiatives that transform gameday culture, engage and educate parents, and empower coaches. Creator of SoccerParentResourceCenter.com and TheSidelineProject.com, innovative platforms improving parent education and sideline behavior. A sought-after speaker promoting trust, collaboration, and community through sport, and a former All-American soccer player with dual US-UK citizenship.

Ben Rutten

Head of Coaching Performance - Richmond Football Club (AFL)

Ben Rutten

Head of Coaching Performance - Richmond Football Club (AFL)

Experienced AFL coach and former player with 229 games at the elite level, recognized for integrating academic expertise (Master of Sports Coaching, Bachelor of Sports Science) with practical high-performance experience to develop both athletes and coaches. Skilled in evidence-based methodologies, strategic game planning, and mental skills development, while also committed to mentoring coaches to enhance leadership, refine practice, and create impactful environments. Dedicated to continuous improvement and leveraging the power of coaching to shape success on and off the field.

Michael Mayne

Football Ferns Head Coach

Michael Mayne

Football Ferns Head Coach

High-performance football coach and educator with over a decade in New Zealand’s national pathway and extensive international tournament experience. Currently Head Coach of the New Zealand Football Ferns, leading the multi-year campaign towards the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, following roles as assistant coach for the 2023 World Cup and head of the 2024 Olympic programme. Experienced across five youth World Cups, with expertise in player development, strategic planning, and coach mentoring, and recognised for building connected, culturally grounded high-performance environments that balance technical and tactical detail with leadership, values, and sustainable success

Emma Humphries

Academy Director - Wellington Phoenix

Emma Humphries

Academy Director - Wellington Phoenix

Emma Humphries is one of New Zealand’s leading football coaches, now serving as Academy Technical Director at Wellington Phoenix from January 2025. A former international (12 caps for the Football Ferns) and an assistant coach at Liverpool FC Women, she also led Canada’s U-17 women’s national team before returning home. Emma specialises in youth player development, creating professional pathways and building high-performance environments that bridge academy and senior football.

Andy McBride

United Kingdom

Andy McBride

United Kingdom

Andrew McBride is teacher, researcher and mentor who has led research in areas such as; the notions of trust, the development of character education and the role of relational leadership. Andrew has a strong research background having completed a Degree in Sport Science and Psychology at Durham University, as well as a PGCE in Teaching and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Northumbria University.

Gabriel Bussinger

Academy Director - Vasco De Gama

Gabriel Bussinger

Academy Director - Vasco De Gama

Experienced football coach with 20 years of national and international experience, including 8 at the professional level and 12 in youth development. Holds a Master’s in Coaching Leadership Philosophy and multiple postgraduate qualifications in methodology, management, and people development. Recognized for leadership, communication, and innovative problem-solving, with coaching and consultancy work in Brazil and Europe (Denmark). Fluent in English and Spanish, and creator of the Diário do Treinador podcast on coach education and development.

Pete Sturgess

The FA - Grassroots Expert

Pete Sturgess

The FA - Grassroots Expert

Peter Sturgess is a pioneering figure in English grassroots football, best known for transforming how the game is played and coached at the youngest ages. Over 17 years at The FA, he served as Technical Lead for the 5–11s Foundation Phase and Head Coach of the England Futsal Team, leading them into UEFA and FIFA competition. A key architect of England Football’s DNA and the FA Youth Awards, Peter has influenced generations of coaches through his creative, child-centred approach. Inducted into the FA Hall of Fame and recipient of a UK Coaching Lifetime Achievement Award, he continues to consult globally for UEFA, The FA, and the Premier League.

Dr Craig Harrison

Founder - Athlete Development Project

Dr Craig Harrison

Founder - Athlete Development Project

Craig is an educator and mentor who partners with parents, leaders, coaches, and schools to create tailored learning experiences that help young people thrive in today’s demanding and competitive world. Recognized for fostering curiosity, intentional development, and personal growth through sport, he designs impactful programs that build resilience, joy, and performance at every level.

Kimura Yasuhiko

Coach Education Director - Japan Football Association

Kimura Yasuhiko

Coach Education Director - Japan Football Association

Kimura Yasuhiko is a leading expert in football coach education and youth development, serving as Director of Coach Education for the Japan Football Association. With experience coaching Japan’s youth national teams and attending multiple FIFA Youth World Cups as technical staff, he brings deep insight into elite player pathways. He delivers the AFC/FA Pro Diploma course, contributes as a member of the AFC Coach Education Panel, and acts as a FIFA Technical Expert, shaping coaching standards in Asia and worldwide.

Shane Verma

Community Pathway Manager - New Zealand Football

Shane Verma

Community Pathway Manager - New Zealand Football

Shane Verma is the Community Pathway Manager and U17 Women’s National Team Performance Analyst for New Zealand Football and has lead the research behind the evolution of the Player Pathway for junior and youth players across New Zealand. Prior to joining New Zealand Football, he worked locally as a Football Development Manager for a Waimakariri United and Player Development Coordinator for Northern Football Federation.

Mark Upton

Founder of ShootXP and WayFinders Network

Mark Upton

Founder of ShootXP and WayFinders Network

Mark Upton is a coach-education researcher, practitioner, and entrepreneur based in Australia, co-founder of myfastestmile. He works with coaches, teams, and organisations to improve coaching through evidence-based methods like skill acquisition, non-linear pedagogy, performance analysis, and designing better learning environments. He has contributed to fields such as coach development, sport research, and community sport, and is recognised internationally through his roles in platforms like Player Development Project, Changing the Game Project, and various masterclasses.

Bela Szenasi

Head of Academy Goalkeeping - AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands

Bela Szenasi

Head of Academy Goalkeeping - AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands

Béla Szénási is a Hungarian elite goalkeeping coach and performance specialist with over 15 years’ experience building academy and first-team environments across the Netherlands. As Goalkeeping Coach for AZ Alkmaar’s U21s, and previously in roles at FC Volendam, Amsterdamsche FC, and AFC Youth, he combines match & performance analysis, individual development planning, and yearly program design to elevate players. His expertise spans set-piece strategy, talent identification & scouting, and interdisciplinary collaboration with medical, performance, and tactical staff. Known also for mentoring both players and coaches, Béla holds licenses through KNVB and UEFA, and is deeply committed to leadership, innovation, and tailored coaching to maximise both individual growth and team success.

Patricia Gonzalez

Former Lead of Talent Development at FIFA

Patricia Gonzalez

Former Lead of Talent Development at FIFA

Patricia González is a renowned leader in women’s football and talent development, who had a distinguished tenure at FIFA, where she led global talent development initiatives. As FIFA’s Group Lead for Talent Development, she played a central role in designing and implementing the FIFA Talent Development Scheme and guiding member associations in building long-term player pathways. Earlier in her career she combined leadership in high performance and women’s football with roles at Rayo Vallecano, as a youth coach, and in national team development in Azerbaijan and Spanish regional federations. Fluent in performance analysis and strategy, her work spans from steering elite coach education and ecosystem design to collaborating across sporting, technical, and developmental domains — shaping the future of women’s football from grassroots to the elite stage.

Mark Carter

Womens Player Development Scientist - The FA, England

Mark Carter

Womens Player Development Scientist - The FA, England

Mark Carter is a senior strategist with The Football Association, leading initiatives that advance coaching insight, performance analytics, and development systems across English football. As a thought leader in the game, he combines data-driven approaches with practical expertise to help clubs, coaches, and players unlock growth and excellence. His work centres on bridging performance science, coach education, and grassroots strategy to shape more intelligent, sustainable football environments. Mark is known for his clarity in translating complex insight into actionable practice, and for his ability to inspire innovation and continuous improvement throughout the football ecosystem.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Skye Eddy

Ben Rutten

Michael Mayne

Emma Humphries

Andy McBride

Gabriel Bussinger

Pete Sturgess

Dr Craig Harrison

Kimura Yasuhiko

Shane Verma

Mark Upton

Bela Szenasi

Patricia Gonzalez

Mark Carter

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