Peter Sturgess has dedicated his life to coaching and coach education, leaving a lasting legacy in football. After 17 years with The FA, where he played a key role in developing children’s coaching and the Foundation Phase, Pete retired in March 2023.

Recognised internationally as an expert in player and coach development, his influence has been celebrated over the years. As a tribute to his impact, Lancashire FA renamed their 3G pitch the “Pete Sturgess Hub.” In October 2023, he was inducted into the Coach Development Hall of Fame at St. George’s Park, and in December 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK Coaching Awards, solidifying his legacy.

Even after retirement, Pete continues to support coaches, young players, and football education, inspiring future generations through his passion and dedication to the game.

Bastiaan Riemersma is currently assistant coach at FC Eindhoven, with extensive experience in youth development and creating environments that allow young players to reach their full potential.

He previously spent 10 years at PSV Eindhoven, where he worked as a youth coach and as coordinator of the FUNdament project, reshaping the academy’s structure. Later, he served as Head of Youth Development at Willem II (2017–2022), where he implemented innovative, player-centred strategies.

With solid expertise in academy management, coaching methodology, and holistic player development, Bastian helps build environments where young footballers can grow in a balanced and meaningful way.

Neil Harris is a UEFA A licensed coach with vast experience in youth player development. He spent over 21 years at Manchester United’s Academy, helping to shape generations of players.

Throughout his career, he has worked with elite football structures internationally and supported coaching and consultancy initiatives in several countries. Neil is known for his empathetic and holistic approach to player development.

With extensive experience in Romanian and Austrian football, Sandu Tabirca has held the position of Federal Coach and Director of Implementation of Development Programs within the Romanian Football Federation, contributing significantly to the implementation and coordination of national youth football development programs. He is currently Technical Director at Universitatea Cluj, a Romanian first-league team, where he continues to contribute to the club’s development. His role involves overseeing and coordinating technical, strategic, and coaching activities, ensuring that the team benefits from the best training practices and methods. His vast experience and dedication to promoting excellence in football make Sandu Tăbîrcă an important pillar in the Romanian football landscape.

In the world of children’s soccer coaches, Debbie Sayers is a dynamic force, recognized for her leadership role in advocating for children’s rights in sports. With a strong advocacy of child-first training methods, Debbie supports approaches that emphasize fun, freedom and a sense of belonging for children on the field. Its mission is clear: to change training practices from coach-led to child-led, empowering young players to learn from their own football experiences. In her roles as a leader of Salisbury Rovers FC, a leader of Salisbury AFC and a committee member of the National Children’s Football Alliance, Debbie has gained extensive knowledge of how to implement child-first principles in practical contexts.

With over 20 years of experience in professional football, alongside his role as a sports researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, Rick has conducted important studies for Manchester United FC, the Welsh FA, and the Professional Footballers’ Association. He is a leader in youth football development, skill acquisition, and small-sided games through the Give Us Back Our Game project.

He also works as a scout across Europe and the USA and serves as an academy auditor for the City Football Group.

Jan Verbeek works as a specialist researcher in talent development at the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB). His role involves providing up-to-date scientific insights and analysis to support evidence-based decision-making in talent identification and development.

He combines this work with a part-time position at the University of Groningen, focusing on football talent development. His research explores the dynamic process of talent growth, especially during the transition from youth to senior levels.

Andrei Zaporojan is a young Romanian coach based in Sweden, where he works both with the senior team and the U18 academy squad at Enskede IK. With a player-centred approach and deep understanding of non-linear pedagogy and the ecological model, Andrei is a passionate practitioner committed to creating meaningful learning environments in youth football.

Martin Vlk is a dedicated football coach and educator, currently serving as the Head of Methodology and Coach Development at SK Slavia Prague. In this role, he focuses on advancing coaching strategies and methodologies to enhance player development within the club.​

In addition to his club responsibilities, Martin holds the position of Coordinator of Higher Education at the Czech Football Association (FAČR), where he oversees the development and implementation of advanced coaching education programs nationwide.​

Martin also contributes at the European level as a UEFA Jira Panel Member, engaging with international experts to shape and refine coaching standards across Europe.​

His commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing is evident through his active participation in international workshops and conferences, where he collaborates with peers to discuss and develop innovative approaches in football coaching.

Aslan Odev is a passionate, curious, and research-informed football coach currently working at Crystal Palace FC, while also serving as Head of Football at The King’s School Canterbury. He specialises in constraints-based coaching, ecological dynamics, differential learning, and skill acquisition.

Aslan is committed to designing environments where players can explore, solve problems, and develop real-game skills. He is deeply involved in coach mentorship and promoting innovation in youth development.