Goalkeeping Coaching Conference

Matildas Goalkeeper Coach & National Head of Goalkeeping, Football Australia

A former Socceroo with 14 caps for Australia, Tony Franken has been a mainstay in the national team setup for more than a decade. As Goalkeeping Coach, he played a pivotal role in four consecutive FIFA Men’s World Cup™ campaigns—2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018.

Currently, Tony is the Goalkeeping Coach for the CommBank Matildas, working closely with elite internationals including Lydia Williams, Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah, and Jada Whyman as the team builds toward global competition.

In addition to his national team duties, Tony serves as Football Australia’s Head of Goalkeeping, overseeing goalkeeper coach development across all levels of the game—from grassroots through to the professional ranks.

Current Olyroos Goalkeeper Coach & Football Australia Goalkeeper Coach Education Tutor

Neil Tate is a full-time member of the Football Australia Technical Department, currently serving as the Goalkeeping Coach for the Olyroos. In addition to his national team role, Neil plays a key part in the Coach Education team, where he contributes to the design and delivery of Goalkeeping Coach Education courses and resources.

With over two decades of experience, Neil has developed elite-level goalkeepers through the South Australian talent pathway and has previously worked with Australia’s U17 Joeys and Young Socceroos programs.

Neil holds both the AFC A Diploma and AFC Goalkeeping A Diploma, and he is also a qualified teacher—bringing a strong educational foundation to his coaching and mentoring approach.

Youth National Team Goalkeeper Coach

David Plowright is a highly accomplished goalkeeper coach with extensive experience in elite football development across Australia and internationally. With a proven track record in nurturing talent and delivering high-level coaching programs, David has played a pivotal role in shaping goalkeepers for professional clubs, national teams, and international competitions.

Currently, David serves as a Talented Player Pathway Goalkeeper Coach at Football NSW, where he mentors goalkeepers in the Talent Support Program, Future Sapphires program, and State Teams representative program. He also works as a Coach Education Tutor for Football Australia, specializing in delivering goalkeeper coaching modules for FA/AFC ‘C’, ‘B’, and ‘A’ Diplomas, alongside goalkeeper specific coaching courses.

David was appointed U17 Men’s National Team (Joeys) Goalkeeper Coach which saw him contribute to the team’s success as 2024 ASEAN U-16 Boys Championship Winners. Additionally, during his tenure at Sydney FC, he helped develop goalkeepers who secured professional contracts in the A-League and overseas while also contributing to the 2019/20 Foxtel Y-League Championship.

David has also been instrumental in women’s football, serving as Goalkeeper Coach for the Philippine Women’s National Team during their historic campaign at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and previously as an Interim Goalkeeper Coach for the Australian Women’s National Teams (Matildas & U20s). His work with Sydney FC’s A-League Women’s Team saw them win two Premierships (2020/21, 2021/22) and set a league record for consecutive clean sheets in a season (9, 2021/22).

Beyond team coaching, David has contributed significantly to futsal and grassroots football development, serving in various roles with Football NSW, including Futsal Development Manager and Game Development Officer. His efforts in coach education and player development have impacted thousands of athletes and coaches across New South Wales.

With a passion for excellence and goalkeeper development, David continues to shape the future of Australian goalkeeping.

Youth National Team & Future Matildas Goalkeeper Coach

Trudy Simmons is a former professional footballer who has been a part of some of the most successful Liberty A League teams in recent times. Simmons spent her time across Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, Canberra United and Melbourne City. She has won three A League Women championships with both Melbourne City and Sydney FC as well as a minor premiership with Canberra United. Alongside her time  in the A League Womens, she has been a regular between the posts for several NSW NPL Womens clubs and was a grand final winner with the Macarthur Rams and Illawarra Stingrays.

Outside of her playing career Simmons has moved into working in football most notably within the Game Development and Legacy departments at Football NSW and for the Canterbury District Soccer Football Association as Female Development Officer. In 2023 she moved into working within the National Teams at Football Australia as Goalkeeping Coach for both the Young Matildas and Future Matildas, she was a part of the staff which qualified through the Asian Cup in 2024 and will be a key member of staff a the 2024 U20 Womens World Cup in Colombia.

Former Socceroos Goalkeeper

Mitch Langerak is a former professional goalkeeper whose career at the elite level spanned over 15 years, with more than 350 professional appearances across Australia, Germany, Spain, and Japan. A proud product of the A-League, Mitch began his career with Melbourne Victory before earning a move to European giants Borussia Dortmund under Jürgen Klopp. During his time in Germany, he was part of Dortmund’s Bundesliga-winning squad and featured in UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal campaigns.

Internationally, Mitch represented the Socceroos across multiple major tournaments, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2015 AFC Asian Cup squads. Known for his calm under pressure, technical excellence, and strong leadership qualities, he brought consistency and professionalism to every team he played for.

In 2017, Mitch made a high-impact move to Japan’s J-League with Nagoya Grampus, where he became a fan favourite and broke the league’s all-time clean sheet record — a testament to his longevity and excellence between the posts. He retired from professional football in 2023.

Post-retirement, Mitch remains actively involved in the game as a mentor and coach, with a strong passion for developing young players, particularly goalkeepers. His journey across continents and footballing cultures gives him a unique perspective on elite performance, team dynamics, and what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the sport.

Former Matildas Goalkeeper

Lydia Williams is one of Australian football’s most iconic figures, with a career that spans over 20 years at the highest levels of the women’s game. A proud Noongar woman, Lydia has been a trailblazer both on and off the pitch, representing the Matildas over 100 times, including at five FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Olympic Games.

Starting her professional journey in the early days of the W-League, Lydia has gone on to play for top clubs across the globe, including in the NWSL (USA), the English Women’s Super League (Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion), and Europe. Her leadership, athleticism, and presence as a shot-stopper have made her one of the most respected goalkeepers in the international game.

Off the field, Lydia is a published children’s author, advocate for Indigenous representation in sport, and a role model for young athletes. Her passion for cultural identity, mental health awareness, and equality has seen her recognised as a powerful voice for change in Australian sport.

Expanding her impact beyond the game, Lydia remains committed to inspiring the next generation through storytelling, mentoring, and championing diversity in football.

Former England International and Matildas Set Piece Coach

Leanne Hall brings over 20 years of elite football experience as both a former international goalkeeper and a highly regarded coach. A capped England international with 13 senior appearances, Hall transitioned seamlessly into coaching after her playing career, holding key roles at top clubs including Arsenal WFC and Aston Villa WFC, where she served as Assistant Manager.

Holding UEFA A Licences in both outfield and goalkeeping disciplines, Leanne is recognised for her holistic understanding of the game and her innovative approach to specialist coaching. Her deep knowledge of set-piece strategy, game management, and individual player development has made her a valuable asset in both domestic and international environments.

As Set Piece Coach for the CommBank Matildas, Leanne plays a pivotal role in driving tactical refinement, adding layers of competitive advantage through detailed planning, execution, and analysis. Her experience and leadership continue to shape high-performance environments and influence the next generation of elite players.