Ernie Merrick has been confirmed as a keynote speaker for the 2022 Northern NSW Football Coaching Conference, to take place on Sunday, December 4.
Merrick, who is Football Australia’s Chief Football Officer, is highly regarded as a two-time A-League Premiership and Championship winning coach with Melbourne Victory.
With his background not only at the Victory but also Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix in the A-League and internationally for the Hong Kong National Football Team, Merrick has a wealth of knowledge in player development and elite football coaching.
As Chief Football Officer, Merrick plays an integral role in the key objectives expressed in Football Australia’s XI Principles for guidance and decision making within the national governing body.
The conference is an opportunity to upskill for season 2023, with an informative day of lectures and workshops from high profile industry leaders and experts.
Attendees will gain player centric insights, tips and processes to implement next year. Participants are also eligible for 30 CPD points by taking part.
2022 NNSWF Coaching Conference details
- Date: Sunday 4 December 2022
- Time: 9:00am – 3:30pm
- Location: Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility (Jet’s seminar room)
- Cost: $100 per person
- Who: Open to all coaches, with individuals holding a current advanced license receiving 30 CPD points
- Register here
Previously announced NNSWF Coaching Conference speakers:
Northern NSW Football has released the details of the first three keynote speakers and has plans to announce additional speakers in the coming weeks.
Warren Grieve, Technical Director, Football NSW
Warren Grieve is Football NSW’s Technical Director, his role is to improve the up and coming talent of both players, coaches, and support staff, providing a challenging and rewarding environment for all to develop.
Grieve has spent the last 14 years in Australia and held the role of Technical Director for Capital Football. He holds his AFC/FA Pro Diploma and is an active Advanced Coach Developer for the FA C, B and A licence.
Dr O’Neil Maharaj, Director of Sports Medicine and Counselling, Return 2 Play
Dr O’Neil Maharaj from Return 2 Play Medical is an ACA accredited counsellor, ACA counselling supervisor, Sports Doctor and university educator. He is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Newcastle.
His approach to sports medicine is to ‘walk beside you’. Dr Maharaj is eager to find out who his patients are beyond their injuries. This ensures they receive appropriate instruction and have an individual recovery plan.
Ryan Doidge, Talented Player and Coach Development Manager, Northern NSW Football
Ryan Doidge is Northern NSW Football’s Talented Player and Coach Development Manager; his role is to oversee the talented player pathway and all coach education across northern NSW.
Since commencing his role in July 2022, Doidge has played a part in managing our players on the talented player pathway at National Youth Championships and at the SingaCup in Singapore. He has also provided opportunities to over 90 coaches to start their advanced coaching journey and to nearly 50 coaches to complete their outstanding advanced assessments.
Through previous roles with New York Red Bulls, Western Sydney Wanderers, North Shore Mariners, Northbridge Bulls and Dee Why FC, Doidge has built a wealth of experience in improving opportunities for players and coaches.
Doidge is accredited by Asian Football Confederation and Football Australia to deliver B and C advance coach accreditation courses and has earned an AFC A coaching licence.
