Position: Competitive Director of Coaching

Hometown: London, England

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SoCal Reds History

Bazza has been working alongside our CEO, Tim Woodcock, on a range of coach development initiatives since 2015. Together, they have helped shape club curriculums, coaching methodologies, and football philosophies that have contributed to the ongoing evolution of the SoCal Reds DNA.

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Coaching & Professional Qualifications

• AI Coach Educators Pathway (2026)

• Pro-Diploma in Development and Training (UK, 1998)

• Coerver Coaching Levels 1, 2 & 3 (2003–2007)

• Soccer Australia Junior, Youth and Senior Licences (1999–2008)

• Australian Government Recognition for Development of Football (2010)

• FFA Skill Training Coach Educator (2008–2024)

• FFA Youth Coaching Coach Educator (2008–2024)

• FFA Senior Coaching Coach Educator (2008–2024)

• FFA High Performance Decisions – Talent ID (2015)

• FFA Laws of the Game Certificate (2014)

• AFC Advanced Youth Licence (2014)

Australian Sports Commission

• Beginning Coaching General Principles (2013)

• Intermediate Coaching General Principles (2014)

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Coaching Experience

Bazza has held leadership, coaching, and coach education roles across Australia and California, including:

• SoCal Reds FC – Director of Coaching

• Palm Beach Soccer Club – Head of Female Football

• Gold Coast United FC – Head of Female Football

• Kingscliff District Football Club – Technical Director

• Brisbane Strikers – SAP and NPL Coach

• Football Queensland – Regional SAP Instructor (Gold Coast)

• Palm beach Soccer Club – Female SAP and NPL Head coach

• Football Queensland – State Coach

• Gold Coast Football High Performance/Foundation Program – Head Coach

• Coerver Coaching – Academy Director

• Football Queensland / Brisbane Roar – School Football Development Coach

Throughout his career, Bazza has worked across all levels of youth development, from introducing more than 250,000 school children to football through to delivering high-performance regional and state programs where players progressed to professional and international careers.

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Areas of Expertise

• Completed a Pro-Diploma in Development and Training in 1998.

• Received Australian Government recognition for contributions to football development.

• Extensive experience across grassroots, community, regional, and high-performance football.

• Delivered curriculum-based football programs since 2005.

• Developed club curriculums, football philosophies, and whole-of-club football plans.

• Contributed to the development pathways of male and female players who have progressed to college, professional, and international football.

• Passionate about developing not only better players, but better people, having watched thousands of young footballers grow into successful adults.

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Career Highlights

Football Queensland State Coach

Worked over a two-year period with some of Queensland’s most talented U12 and U13 players, many of whom progressed to represent Australia or pursue professional football careers.

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National Recognition

Awarded the Australian Government's Recognition for Development of Football in 2010 for outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the game.

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Gold Coast United FC – Head of Female Football

Helped establish one of Queensland’s leading female football programs, contributing to Football Queensland recognition and the club achieving Gold Academy status.

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International Experience

Through Coerver Coaching, Bazza was selected as a lead coach on a two-week international camp working with Dongmyeong Elementary School (Seoul), former Korean National Champions. The experience provided valuable exposure to elite youth development and the unique challenge of coaching through a translator.

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Bazza has also spent time observing and learning from professional football academies including Liverpool FC, FC Utrecht, PSV Eindhoven, and Vitesse Arnhem, gaining valuable insights into player development and academy structures.

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About

Born and raised in London, England, Bazza first moved to Australia in 1989 before making it his permanent home in 1999. Married to Tracey, Bazza is a proud father of three sons and grandfather to three grandchildren. Away from football, Bazza enjoys beach walks, collecting vinyl records, and unwinding by spinning the decks while rediscovering old favourites from his collection.