Two former Socceroos have been appointed coaches of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Program and the Qantas Joeys (Under 17 National Team).
Two former Socceroos have been appointed coaches of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Program and the Qantas Joeys (Under 17 National Team) for the coming years.
In addition to his current position as the Football Federation Australia (FFA) Assistant Technical Director, Alistair Edwards will take on the role of Qantas Joeys Head Coach for the 2012 AFC U-16 Asian Cup to be held in October, and for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup a year later.
Former Socceroo Tony Vidmar has been appointed by FFA and the AIS as the AIS Senior Coach and will assist Edwards at Qantas Joeys matches.
The AIS and Qantas Joeys coaching positions had previously been combined and held by Jan Versleijen whose contract ended in December 2011.
The roles have now been separated and National Technical Director Han Berger said the new arrangement will give Australia-s best up and coming male players the best opportunities to develop into professional and national team players.
“Alistair and Tony have shown themselves, both as players and more recently as coaches, to be of the highest calibre and to have the right attitude, experience and personalities to be in charge of these two vital development programs.
“Whilst the AIS program aims to provide the majority of players for the Qantas Joeys squads, the task of providing the daily training environment for the players and that of managing a team at international tournaments are slightly different," Berger said.
“To recruit two former Socceroos and well credentialed coaches for the separate roles really enhances the support and development that these players will receive.
“Tony will work as Assistant Coach for the Qantas Joeys and accompany Alistair on the bench at their matches.
“Alistair will retain his role as the FFA Assistant Technical Director and continue to perform the duties that he has in the past as well.
“We are also in the process of appointing an Assistant Coach for the AIS program which we will announce in the near future,” concluded Berger.
To further contribute to the development of the players in this vital age group, the AIS and FFA have appointed Peter de Roo, the Technical Director of Football Queensland to the newly created position of Technical Manager of the AIS Football Program. This position will provide the technical and management direction to the program and the coaches to ensure that the development objectives of the program are met.
AIS Acting Director Phil Borgeaud said: “The combination of the new structure and the fact we are appointing such high quality technicians in Peter and Tony provides a great platform for our best young football players to succeed at the national and international level.”
“The AIS is pleased to support the evolution of the football program and provide the best possible daily training environment for our future Socceroos”
Biographical Information Alistair Edwards Born: 21.6.1968, Whyalla, SA Main position: Attacker
Socceroo honours: 22 appearances (5 goals) [1991-1997] 19 A internationals (3 goals) / 3 non-A internationals (2 goals) Other Australian representative honours: U-20 - 1987 FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign qualifiers
Player honours: Australian national championship medal 1989/90 Malaysian national championship 1997
Coaching roles: Australian U-20 women's (assistant & head coach) 2004-2006 Australian women's senior team assistant FFA Assistant Technical Director & Assistant Coach of various Youth national teams
Qualifications: •AFC Pro Licence 2010
Tony Vidmar Born: 4.7.1970, Adelaide, SA Main position: Defender
Socceroo honours: 91 appearances (3 goals) [1991-2006] 76 A internationals (3 goals) / 15 non-A internationals Other Australian representative honours: Schoolboy International 1988 U-23 - 1992 Olympic Games (Barcelona)
Player honours: Australian national championship medal 1991/92, 1993/94 Scottish national championship medal 1998/99, 1999/2000 Australia national team fifth-highest appearances in A internationals (as at 31-Dec-2011) 76 apps Coaching career: Adelaide United (youth) 2008-2009 SASI 2009-present
Qualifications:
•AFC/FFA A- Licence 2010 •AFC/FFA Pro Licence (Part 1 Completed. Expected to complete Part 2 in May 2012)
Peter De Roo Born: 16.2.1970 Netherlands Main position: Midfielder:
Coaching career: Assistant Coach (reserves) Cambuur Leeuwarden (Netherlands) 2001-2003 Assistant Coach (1st Team) Cambuur Leeuwarden (Netherlands) 2004-2005 Technical Director at SC Cambuur (Netherlands) 2005-2009 Technical Director Football Queensland 2009-2012 Coach of Queensland Academy of Sport - Men-s Program 2009
Qualifications: •Trainer-coach II/UEFA-B (KNVB) 2002-2003 •Trainer-coach I/UEFA-A+ Special Application on working with high performance youth players (KNVB) 2004-2005 •Bachelor of Communication and Management - Hanzehogeschool Groningen 1990-1996