Coaching Conference

Oscar is currently the National Technical Director of the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF), having rejoined the national federation in 2024 from league powerhouses FC Porto.

In addition to over a decade working for the FPF, Oscar has been involved in the technical and coaching teams at a number of clubs, including Club Tigres (Mexico), Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia), Cruz Azul (Mexico), Club Santos (Mexico), CD Nacional (Portugal) and Uniao de Leiria (Portugal).

Ian has spent the last 30 years developing coach developers and coaches and has a proven track record supporting people in both areas.

Ian is now in his 18^th year at the FA and his current role is leading a team of 18 youth coach developers who work in the boy’s talent pathway. The team support coaches and Heads of Coaching working in the professional football clubs that have an academy programme.

During his time at the FA, he has been Futsal Coach Development lead and joined the FA as Northwest Regional Coach Development Manager.  Whilst working in these roles Ian also worked with England teams spending 10 years with the Partially sighted squad and 4 years with the Men’s England futsal team.  Throughout this period Ian was an “unpaid professional coach” (volunteer) at Crossfield’s JFC in Warrington and coached the Warrington Town team supporting his sons and his pal’s journey through junior into senior football.

Prior to working at the FA Ian worked for 10 years at Bolton Wanderers in the Academy programme and learnt his trade at the Bobby Charlton soccer school starting out as office junior and leaving as Managing Director.

Currently serving as a strategic leader for grassroots football at The Football Association, ‘Bex’ brings over 16 years’ experience within the organisation and two decades in coaching, having begun as a coach volunteer for her cousin’s team. Bex’s journey has seen her progress through roles as coach, coach developer, and leader, supported by an A Licenve qualification. With a background coaching across various abilities and genders—primarily in grassroots football, but also in talent and open age settings—she is am passionate about child development, curious about coach behaviours, and committed to helping coaches deepen their self-understanding to enhance their coaching practice.

Boris has been an educator of football coaches for more than 25 years and is currently Head of Coach Education for the
Croatian Football Federation. He is also a UEFA technical instructor and a long-time mentor and educator for coaches.

Konomi Suzuki began her professional coaching career with the academy team of Chifure AS Elfen Saitama in 2019 alongside a role with the JFA national training centre coach in 2022. Since 2023, she had been dispatched to the Northern Mariana Islands as head coach of the U-17 and U-20 Men’s National Teams, while also serving as Interim Technical Director of the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association in 2024.

In 2025, she worked as a coach for the U-19 Japan Women’s National Team. Currently, she expands her work field as a coach education tutor as well as the member of Technical Observer Team for the AFC women’s competitions, while coaching at the college in Japan.

Holly Fuda – Performance & Wellbeing Specialist
Gabor Ganczer – Former Football Queensland Technical Director
Paul Higgins – FNSW Grassroots Coach Education Lead
Joe Fox – FNSW Club Technical Development Coordinator
Phil Myall – FNSW Boys Player Development Manager
Nadine Shiels – FNSW Girls Player Development Manager
Bryce Deaton – FNSW Goalkeeper Development Manager