Valeri Stoimenov – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Master’s Degree in Coaching & Physical Education
- Strength & Conditioning Level 2
- Athletics Level 3 Sprints, Hurdles & Relays
- Weightlifting Level 1
- Bendigo Spirit (WNBL) – S&C coach
- Chinese Women’s Basketball Team High Performance Manager
- Chinese National Swimming Team
- Shanghai-China Institute of Sport – S&C consultant
- Australian Bobsleigh National Team – S&C coach
- Australian Badminton National Team – S&C coach
- 15 years as AFL S&C Coach (Hawthorn, Essendon, Melbourne, Vic Metro U/18’s)
- European Handball Senior and Development Coach
- South Dragons (NBL) – S&C coach
- South Melbourne FC (NSL) – S&C coach
- Professional European Handball player for 10 years
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- There is reason for everything we do, and the preparation completed determines the results made
Poppy Blanch – Strength & Conditioning Coach
Coaching Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Exercise Science (La Trobe University
- Masters of Exercise Physiology (La Trobe University)
- Bendigo Pioneer’s Females Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
- ADP Alumni
Playing Experience:
- Bendigo Braves BigV Basketball Youth Championship women’s team
Piece of advice:
- Continue to work hard when no one is watching
Chris Hogan (Basketball) – ADP Teacher & Coach
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 2 Basketball Coach
- Over 15 years Coaching
Playing Experience:
- Two time Championship winner w’ Bendigo Braves – SEABL
- 20 year playing career with Bendigo Braves
- One of 5 players to reach a 400 game milestone within the SEABL & NBL1 for Bendigo Braves.
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement)
- Diploma of Education (Secondary)
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- A consistent emphasis of skill development and individuality leads to confident, well-rounded and life-long participants in their chosen sport.
Kelly Wilson (Basketball)
Coaching Experience/Qualifications:
- Level 2 Basketball Coach
Playing Experience:
- 4x WNBL Champion (2013, ’14, ’18, ’19)
- WNBL Rookie of the Year
- Gold Medal at FIBA Oceania Championships for Australia
- NBL1 National Champion (2023)
- NBL South Champion (2023)
- NBL 1 MVP (2019)
- 2x SEABL Champion (2013, ’18)
- 2x SEABL MVP (2009, ’13)
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Microbiology
- Diploma of Education
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- Ensuring the correct environment that allows athletes to thrive towards their best when training and competing in their chosen sport.
David Flint (Basketball)
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 2 Association Coach
- Bendigo Braves – Head Coach
- Bendigo Braves – Player/Coach
- East Perth – Player/Coach
- Ballarat Miners – Head Coach
- Ballarat Rush – Head Coach
- NITP – Head Coach
- Vic Country – Assistant Coach
Playing Experience:
- 319 Games played for the Bendigo Braves (1987 to 2000),
- Selected as a player into the SEABL “Team of the Decade”
Piece of advice:
- “Never pick and choose when you want to play hard, be a complete player, make the other players on the court around you better by how you play and always be a great teammate as you never know who is watching you play”
Stephen Black (Basketball)
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- 5 years SBL (WA) Head Coach Willetton Tigers
- 1 year QBL (Qld) Head Coach South West Pirates
- 1 year assistant coach NBL Gold Coast Blaze
- Current coach NBL1 Bendigo Braves
Playing Experience:
- 297 NBL Games (Perth Wildcats, Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans)
- 2 time NBL Champion
- SBL 2002 Leader in average points and assists
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Business
- Post Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning
- Cert IV Fitness
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- Maximum engagement for skill development and small sided gameplay to apply
Andy Buchanan (Athletics – Middle distance) – ADP Teacher & Coach
Coaching Qualifications:
- Level 3 Middle-Long Distance Athletics Coach
- Level 1 ASAC Coach.
- Over 10 years in coaching a range of different athletes including, Junior National Champions and multiple State Champions
Experience:
- Australian World Half Marathon Team 2020
- 2x Australian Cross Country Champion (2017, 2018)
- Athletics Victoria 1500m, 5000m, Cross Country State Champion
- 2nd place Oceanian 5000m 2019
- Represented Australia at World Athletics Cross Country Championships 23′
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Education: Physical and Outdoor Education
Piece of advice:
- Enjoy and celebrate the highs/achievements.
Terry Hicks (Athletics)
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 3 Jumps Coach
- Level 2 Sprints & Throws Coach
- 15 Years Athletics Coach, Multi Event Record Holder – Multiple and Multiple National Medalists – Coached
- 18 Years President of Eaglehawk Athletics Club & 10 Year GM and Secretary of Bendigo Athletics
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- To get the best out of athletes and to ensure enjoyment at athletics
Carol Cathcart (Netball)
Coaching Experience/Qualifications:
- High Performance Coach Accreditation
- AFL Central Victoria Academy, 2016-current
- Mentor for Victorian State 17/U and 19/U coaches through selection and trainings/games, 2020 and 2021
- Australian 21/U Selector, 2020 and 2021
- North Central Region 17/U Coach, 2019 and 2015
- Australian 21/U Coach, 2011-2013
- Melbourne Vixens Assistant Coach, 2008-2011
- Victorian Fury Coach, 2008-2010
- Other roles include – Phoenix Assist Coach, Orioles Coach, WA Open State Team Coach, Victorian 17/U and Open State Team Coach, Australian Institute of Sport
Piece of advice:
- Be the best you can be!
Lauren Bowles (Netball) – ADP Teacher & Coach
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 2 Netball Coach
- Accreditation in Development
- A Grade Coach of White Hills Netball Club HDFNL 2017 – Current
Playing Experience:
- Over 10 years playing A Grade at Kangaroo Flat Netball Club BFNL
- Two time premiership winner at Kangaroo Flat Netball Club BFNL
- Premiership winner at White Hills HDFNL 2016
- Interleague Representative for BFNL 2008
- Betty Thompson Medal in the BFNL best and fairest in 2008
- Captained White Hills in the HDFNL in 2016 & won the club’s best and fairest and was selected as an Interleague Representative for HDFNL.
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Education
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- My aim is to create an environment that encourages players to feel comfortable to learn and take on challenges to improve personal performance whilst maintaining enjoyment.
Jayden Cowling (Netball)
Coaching Experience/Qualifications:
- Level 3 (Intermediate Coaching Accreditation)
- BFNL A Grade Coach Kangaroo Flat 2016 – Current
- BFNL Open & U17 Head Coach Representative teams
Playing Experience:
- National Men’s Netball Representative 2012 – current
- State Men’s Netball Representative 2010 – current
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- To allow for the athletes to be in the positive environment of wanting to learn and to take on the challenges that may put you out of your comfort zone. But making sure you enjoy what you do on and off the court.
Emma Grant (AFL) – ADP Teacher & Coach
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 3 AFL Coach
- AFLW Richmond Development Coach
- Next Coach Program Participant
- Bendigo Pioneers Assistant Coach Under 19 Boys and Girls
- Vic Country Assistant Coach Under 19 Girls
- Vic Metro Head Coach Under 18 Girls
- Vic Metro Head Coach Under 16 Girls
Playing Experience:
- Former AFLW & VFLW player for Collingwood FC
- Diamond Creek VFLW
- Bendigo Thunder
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor Physical and Outdoor Education
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- Centered around player development; providing a positive learning environment to allow each individual to grow as a person and as a player.
Dean Sheldrick (AFL)
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 2 AFL Coach
- Playing Coach Latrobe University Football Club (2007 – 2010)
- Bendigo Pioneers Development coach (2014 – Present)
- Vic Country Under 16’s Line Coach (2017 – 2018)
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Physical and Outdoor Education
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- Failure = Feedback
Danny O’Bree (AFL)
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 3 AFL Coach
- Bendigo Pioneers Head Coach
- Central Vic Academy Coach
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Teaching
Playing Experience:
- VCFL Representative
- Interleague Representative
- 16 Years Senior Experience
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- Enjoy the challenge of being the best you can be.
Darryl Wilson (AFL)
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 2 AFL Coach
- Bendigo Bombers (VFL)
- Strathfieldsaye Football Club (BFNL)
- Kangaroo Flat Football Club (BFNL)
- Colbinabbin Football Club (HDFL)
Playing Experience:
- Colbinabbin Football Club (HDFL) with senior premiership
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- To not only develop their skills in preparation for football but also for the life ahead of them.
Whitney Kennedy (AFL)
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 2 AFL coach
- Bendigo Pioneers Regional Development coach (women)
- V-Line Cup head Coach (women)
- AFLCV academy Coach
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Education – Physical Education
- Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
- Certificate IV in Fitness
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- 1. Relationships
- 2. High standards
- 3. Development
- 4. Respect
- 5. Professionalism
Travis Colley (Cricket)
Coaching Experience/Qualifications:
- Level 2 Cricket Coach
- Current Coach of SSV 12&U Cricket
- Former Regional Cricket Manager of Northern Rivers Region
Playing Experience:
- White Hills A Grade (BDCA)
Further Qualifications:
- Primary PE Teaching
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- To provide a positive, challenging and supportive environment for all players
Tony Marasco (Cricket)
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Cricket Australia level 2 accredited.
- Cricket Victoria Northwest Metro pathways coach for 10 years.
Playing/ Competing Experience:
- 1st XI Premier Cricket (Nth Melbourne),
- Captain/Coach South Ringwood, Craigieburn and Moonee Valley cricket clubs.
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- I aim to provide a learning environment that is enjoyable.
Louise McColl (Football)
Coaching Qualifications:
- AFC A License (Pending assessment)
- AFC B & C License
- FA Level One coaching badge, England
- Football Australia Advanced Pathway C License Instructor Certificate, 2019
- Football Australia Advanced Pathway B License Instructor Certificate, 2021 – Current
Coaching Experience:
- ADP Football Program Coach, 2020 – Current
- Melbourne Victory Elite Girls Program Head Coach, 2021 – Current
- Bendigo Amateur Soccer Rep Squad League Technical Director and League Coach Education Officer, 2018 – Current
- NTC Assistant at the Coffs Harbour National Youth Championships (Girls), 2016 – 2017
- Bendigo City U12/U13 Head Coach, 2016 – 2017
- Bendigo City FC Boys SAP Co-ordinator and Head Coach of junior development program, 2015
- Bendigo City FC Girls SAP Program Head Coach, 2014
- Strathdale Soccer Club Junior Boys Coach, 2008 – 2014
- Football Australia Community Female Coach of the year – 2019
Playing Experience:
- Warrington Town Ladies FC (Northern League 1) 2004 – 2008
- Bendigo Vipers (VPL) 2008 – 2011
- Colts United (BASL) 2008 – Present
Mitchell Graham (Football)
Coaching Experience/Qualifications:
- Australian C-License
- Overnewton Secondary College – Coach
Playing Experience:
- Australia U20 Representative
- Melbourne City FC 2016-2020
- ADP Alumni
- Brunswick Juventus FC – Current
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Health Sciences – Current
Jorge Gero (Soccer)
Coaching qualifications:
- AFC A License (Pending assessment)
- AFC B & C License
- Master’s Degree in Coaching
Coaching experience:
- Football Victoria Talent Identification Development Coach (TIDC Coach)
- Football Victoria Skill Acquisition Phase Coach (SAP Coach)
- Football Victoria Coach Education Instructor
- Nunawading City FC senior men’s assistant
- Caroline Springs George Cross FC Technical Director
- Melbourne City FC Academy Coach
Playing experience:
- Bentleigh Greens SC – Victorian Premier League Senior men (VPL)
- Bentleigh Greens SC – Victorian Premier League U21 men (VPL)
- Bentleigh Greens SC – National Youth League (NYL)
Youth Coaching philosophy:
- Every player is different. Understanding and connecting with each individual is key to successful development.
Rik McCaig (Cycling) – ADP Teacher & Coach
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 2 Road & Track Cycling
- Level 1 Strength & Conditioning
- Combined 30 years experience competing and coaching at a National and International level
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Education
- Diploma of Teaching
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- Create good habits