International Football Coaching Conference Australia (IFCCA) is pleased to announce Melbourne Victory Westfield W-League Assistant Coach Kat Smith and SBS football analyst and experienced coach Joey Peters as panellists for this year’s conference.
Smith and Peters will join Melbourne Victory Westfield W-League Head Coach Jeff Hopkins and FFA’s Head of Community, Football Development and Women’s Football Emma Highwood on the ‘Women’s and Girls Development’ panel, to be held during the event at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May 2019.
Former Australian national women’s team player Peters will also be on the ‘Australian National Teams’ panel alongside Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold, Joeys Head Coach Trevor Morgan and PFA Deputy Chief Executive Kate Gill.
Boasting over 13 years’ experience in women’s coaching and development, Smith took on the role of Melbourne Victory W-League Assistant Coach in 2013.
Since 2017, she’s also been analysing trends and player performance as Assistant Coach and Performance Analyst for the Junior Matildas.
With a passion for holistic development, Smith also teaches at SEDA College Victoria in the Talented Player Program where she delivers industry-based training to footballers in their final years of secondary school.
Smith will bring her vast knowledge in women’s development to IFCCA.
“What I’m looking most forward to is having access to a blend of ideas and inspiration delivered by top-class speakers,” Smith said.
Former Matildas Vice-Captain Peters will join Smith as a panellist at the conference.
Peters moved into the coaching space after retiring as a professional player in 2009, having represented Australia at three FIFA Women’s World Cups and at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.
A former Newcastle Jets W-League Assistant Coach, Peters has developed her own sport and coaching philosophy called GAME PLAY LEARN, utilising her experience in coach development and mentoring to help up-and-coming coaches learn innovative and nurturing techniques to develop young footballers.
Since 2015, Peters has also worked as a football analyst with SBS, and will bring her insights to IFCCA to discuss coaching approaches and methodologies.
“We can get stuck in our traditions, so it’s important to encourage critical discussion around our coaching methodologies ensuring the sporting experience is at its best for everyone involved,” Peters said.
IFCCA will bring together experienced football professionals from across the globe to share knowledge with coaches of all levels.