YOUTH COACHES – 2022
JAN SCHMIDT: Youth Technical Director
Newly appointed Youth Technical Director Jan Schmidt studied Sports & Science at the German Sports University in Cologne and brings a wealth of footballing knowledge from his previous playing and coaching positions. Schmidt previously coached Fortuna Koln and Bayer Leverkusen youth teams, worked as a video analyst for the German National Team from 2018-2020 and assisted in coach development for the German Football Federation. As a former Hakoah first-grader, Schmidt will lead the youth department and assist in the overall development of all our youth players.
Everyone at Hakoah FC wishes him the best in his new role at the club!
PAUL WATKINS: U18
Paul Watkins rejoins the club as our U18 coach for 2022. He previously coached Hakoah’s U20 side a few years back and since then has achieved promotion from NPL2 to NPL1 with Parramatta FC’s U20 team, assisted APIA’s 1st Grade team to a grand final victory and more recently, coached APIA’s U18 side who were awarded NPL1 status for 2022. Watkins will aim to provide his players with an opportunity to learn and improve and most importantly, he wants to ensure that everyone involved with the team enjoys the season ahead!
Welcome back Paul!
PAOLO GALLO: U16
Paolo Gallo is a familiar face around the club! Having coached our U9-U11 SAP teams for the last few seasons, Paolo’s incredible knowledge of the game as well as his passion for coaching, brings out the best in all his players! Paolo arrived in Sydney from Italy in 2017 where he previously coached youth and senior teams. He then was a coach at the AC Milan Academy in the West of Sydney and then coached Balmain U13 and U15 teams. For Paolo, coaching is a passion rather than a job. He wants to transfer key aspects of the sport such as respect for opponents and teammates. We are very excited to have Paolo as our U16 coach in 2022!
WILLIAM DABASSIS: U15
William Dabassis is an experienced football coach and player with a background in high school physical education, a degree in Sport and Exercise Science and over 10 years experience in coaching. He has a proven record of elite player development in SAP and Youth programs focusing on technical, tactical and analytical elements. His coaching experience includes 4 seasons as Head Coach in NPL, 2 seasons with Sydney Olympic FC coaching Boy’s U9-10’s SAP from 2018-2019, and most recently 2 seasons with Sydney University FC coaching U15 and U16’s Boy’s Youth League from 2020-2021. Prior to this, Dabassis had 5 years’ experience as a youth academy coach from 2016-2020 at Football Brilliance Academy, a private institution with a high priority of tactical and technical player development. He also has a FFA C Licence and a Skill Training Certificate.
Welcome to the club and all the best as coach of our U15’s in 2022!
LEWIS THOMPSEN: U14
Hakoah FC’s new U14 coach for 2022 Lewis Thompsen has over 10 years of experience as a coach in Northern Ireland, England, USA and Australia. Thompson has coached at the likes of Bournemouth in the EPL and Portsmouth in the EFL and has other coaching experience at senior levels of English football and college level in America. Thompson has a UEFA B-Licence, a FA Youth Award LEvel 2 and a BSc (Hons) in Football Coaching & Performance.
We wish Lewis all the best for 2022 and beyond!
JELAN YACO: U13
Jelan Yaco is another new addition to the youth coaching team for 2022. Having coached teams at Mascot Viper (NPL 1 Futsal), NSW City West, Fairfield Bulls and Prospect United (NPL2, Jelan brings a lot of experience as a coach within the NPL system. His player career included over 14 years at Fairfield Bulls and 1 year at Sydney United. Jelan hoped to make a real difference in the development of our youth players and feels that his time at Hakoah will be a very special time in his coaching career.
We are very excited to have Jelan at the club and wish him success as coach of our U13’s in 2022.
MICHAEL SYNNOTT: COACH
Michael Synnott is our SAP Technical Director and also plays an important role in our youth teams. His passion for the club is second to none, and his assistance in the performance of our youth teams has been greatly appreciated. In 2022, Michael will continue to help the youth boys in their quest to regain promotion to NPL1!
PETR SESTAK: GK COACH
Petr is a familiar face across the entire club! As Goalkeeping coach, Petr plays an integral role in the development of our goalkeepers from our SAP teams all the way up to our 1st Grade and U20 teams. In 2022, Petr will continue his incredible work with our youth GK’s.
