International Football Coaching Conference Australia (IFCCA) has announced Melbourne Victory Westfield W-League Head Coach Jeff Hopkins as a panellist for this year’s conference.
Hopkins will join Junior Matildas Coach Rae Dower and Football Federation Australia’s Emma Highwood on the “Female Football Development in Australia” panel to be held during the event at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast on Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 May 2019.
Boasting over 30 years of professional football experience, as both an international player and more recently as an experienced elite football manager and coach, Hopkins has been in charge of the Melbourne Victory Westfield W-League team for the past three years.
Prior to his appointment to Melbourne Victory, Hopkins spent three years as Head Coach of the Brisbane Roar W-League side and led the Australian women’s U20 national team at the 2011 AFC World Cup Qualification tournament.
Hopkins also has extensive coaching experience in the men’s game, including as Assistant Coach of the Brisbane Roar and as Head Coach of the Brisbane Roar Youth squad.
Recently named Male Champion of the Year at the 2019 rebel Female Football Awards, Hopkins said he was looking forward to discussing the development of the women’s game in Australia at the conference.
“I am really looking forward to attending the IFCCA conference and excited to be participating with so many highly credentialed experts,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins has a track record of delivering results, leading Melbourne Victory to their maiden Westfield W-League Premiership in the 2018-2019 season, and guiding the then Queensland Roar W-League side to their inaugural Premiership-Championship double in the 2008-2009 season.
Having helped to develop many of the current Westfield Matildas players, Hopkins will offer IFCCA delegates an insight into his years of professional coaching experience in the women’s game.
IFCCA will bring together experienced football professionals from around the world to share knowledge with coaches of all levels, from grassroots and community coaches to those in the National Premier Leagues and at professional clubs.