Auckland Football confirmed coaching appointments for its 2019 Talent Perform Pathway teams on Tuesday.

Thirteen appointments have been made with the two pinnacle team positions going to familiar faces in the Federation.

Former AFF Federation Development Manager Nic Downes, now Director of Football at Central United, will lead the 2019 National Women’s League campaign while Futsal Whites coach Marvin Eakins will once again lead the Federation’s Men’s Futsal SuperLeague programme.

Auckland Football Federation (AFF) Talent Programme lead Liam Hunt is delighted with the appointments for 2019 and says they reflect the key principles of the Federation’s approach to operating teams at the national level.

“We are very happy with the coaching line-up we are delivering for our programme this year,” Hunt said. “The appointments demonstrate our commitment to our two major priorities.”

“Firstly, we want to provide opportunities to those who are locally-based within our federation and have invested time and a lot of effort in their own development through the New Zealand Football Coach Education Pathway.”

“By providing a platform for these coaches, we can say to all those involved in the programme they will receive an excellent experience from day one which is shaped and delivered by appropriately qualified, experienced and capable coaching staff.”

“The second benefit to identifying and selecting coaches on this basis is the clubs they represent get the benefit from the additional development opportunity the coaches receive upon their return to their club environments.”

All coaches involved in the AFF Talent Perform Pathway have been selected on the basis of their alignment to deliver AFF’s development-focused coaching and playing philosophy, ensuring a consistent experience for those involved.

The Federation’s National Women’s League (NWL) side will be guided by Downes – an NZF/OFC B License holder in addition to being both a FIFA and NZF Advanced Coach Instructor as well as the coach of the New Zealand Football Futsal Ferns.

Downes will be assisted by Papakura City FC NRFL Women’s Premier League coach Nicola Demaine. Demaine, who will also guide the Federation’s U-16 Girls side at the National Age Group Tournament in December, also holds an NZF/OFC B License.

Coach of the national team, Eakins – an NZF/OFC C Futsal License holder – leads the Futsal SuperLeague team.

Eakins will simultaneously drive the preparation for the inaugural OFC Futsal Champions League to be held in Auckland in December, an honour earned via the Federation’s victory in the 2018 Men’s Futsal SuperLeague.

In the Federation Talent Centre, Ellerslie AFC coach Ryan Shiffman takes charge of the U-14 Girls team with Eastern Suburbs AFC’s Beth Rattray in the assistant role.

Demaine will lead the U-16 Girls side with Joanna Watkinson from Bucklands Beach AFC taking the assistant coach position.

On the boys side, Ellerslie AFC NRFL Men’s Division 1 coach and former All White Fred de Jong (NZF / OFC B License) will head up the U-14 team. De Jong will be assisted by Manukau United’s Eyob Tekalion.

In the U-15 age-group, Onehunga Sports’ Jo Dawkins (NZ Football Senior Level 2) will lead the team and Three Kings United coach Brad Bicknell assumes the role of assistant coach.

The U-16 Boys team will see UEFA A License coach Brian Shelley (University-Mt Wellington Bohemian Celtic) takes charge of the side with Alan Shaker (Manukau Utd) in the assistant role.

Goalkeeper coaching appointments will be announced shortly for all programmes.
 

AFF Talent Perform Pathway teams 2019
 

National Women’s League (Football)
Head Coach: Nic Downes – NZF/OFC B License
Assistant Coach: Nicola Demaine – NZF/OFC B License
 

Men’s Futsal SuperLeague
Head Coach: Marvin Eakins – NZF/OFC Futsal C License

Federation Talent Centre – U-14 Girls
Head Coach: Ryan Shiffman – NZF Senior Level 2 Coaching Award
Assistant Coach: Beth Rattray - NZF Youth Level 2 Coaching Award

Federation Talent Centre – U-16 Girls
Head Coach: Nicola Demaine – NZF/OFC B License
Assistant Coach: Joanna Watkinson
 

Federation Talent Centre – U-14 Boys
Head Coach: Fred de Jong – NZF/OFC B License
Assistant Coach: Eyob Tekalion - NZF Youth Level 2 Coaching Award
 

Federation Talent Centre – U-15 Boys
Head Coach: Jo Dawkins – NZF Senior Level 2 Coaching Award
Assistant Coach: Brad Bicknell – NZF Goalkeeper Level 1 & Junior Level 3

Federation Talent Centre – U-16 Boys
Head Coach: Brian Shelley – UEFA A License
Assistant Coach: Alan Shaker - NZF Youth Level 2 Coaching Award

Article added: Tuesday 09 July 2019