Newcastle Jets has made a key youth development appointment following the recruitment of outgoing Football Federation Australia (FFA) National Boys Development Manager Michael Cooper to the role of Academy Technical Director.
Cooper has spent the majority of the past two years with FFA working in the advanced coaching space, and will continue to deliver on the A Licence coaching courses.
The former Exeter City and Yeovil Town professional player will officially commence his position with the Jets in mid-August.
When Cooper’s playing career was cut short by injury he opted to complete a teaching degree, then set his sights on a full time career in football.
Cooper has long aspired to become a Technical Director at a professional Club, so his new position with the Jets is one he will relish.
“I am all about creating an environment that gets the best out of people and working hard towards our goals on a daily basis,” Cooper said.
“An attractive part of the role at the Jets is that I will be able to help shape and then lead the vision of the Club’s Academy.”
“My strengths are facilitation and helping people develop, and I’m eager to leverage these strengths in Newcastle to ensure that we create an environment where our coaches and young players excel,” he said.
Jets Chief Executive Officer Lawrie McKinna said Cooper arrives at the Club with glowing recommendations from FFA.
“I first met Mike roughly four years ago and have tracked his career progression since,” McKinna said. “Mike has always come across very impressively in my dealings with him, and my thoughts have been backed up by many people who have worked closely with him.”
“An advantage of Mike coming to the Club is that he knows FFA’s systems. He also has a high awareness of the coaches in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area,” he said.
Cooper will address current coaches from the Emerging Jets pathway on Friday at Speers Point.
Newcastle Jets will directly manage 11 boys and girls Academy teams from October 1 2017.
