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:
- NBL1 South Conference Championship ’23
- NBL1 National Championship ’23
- Current Bendigo Spirit Training Player
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)
- NBL1 South Champion (2023)
- NBL1 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′
- 1st Melbourne Half Marathon (2024)
- Australian Paris Olympic Marathon Runner (2024)
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.
Bryce Curnow (AFL) – ADP Teacher & Coach
Coaching Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 3 (GOLD) AFL Coach
- Current Sandhurst Seniors Coach
- 9 years of Senior coaching experience
- Vic Country AFL U12 Boys Selector (3 years)
- Liverpool FC Academy Coach
Playing Experience:
- VFL – North Ballarat (5 years)
- Senior Footballer (16 years)
- Multiple League Best & Fairest
- Multiple Club Best & Fairest
- Multiple Team of the Year member
- Captain/Coach of BFL Team of the Year
Further Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Education – Physical Education
Youth Coaching Philosophy:
- Consistency is Key: Consistent Training. Consistent Preparation. Consistent Effort. Consistent Feedback. Consistent Skill Development.
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) Seniors 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