Football Australia has appointed highly respected coach and Technical Director, Ian Crook as the governing body’s Elite Programs Manager.
As Elite Program Manager, Crook will drive the alignment of coaching programs and courses to Football Australia’s strategic vision and objectives as outlined within the XI Principles, principally ensuring programs are designed around the technical football framework in Australia.
Reporting to Football Australia’s Chief Football Officer, Ernie Merrick, this role includes designing and delivering advanced coaching sessions in line with AFC and FIFA coaching principles, liaising and collaborating with Football Australia Technical staff and external contributors to assist with the delivery of High Performance coaching programs, and provide expertise to assist in streaming elite player pathways to national teams.
Crook joins Football Australia from Manly United FC in the NSW NPL where he is currently the club’s Technical Director, and prior to that, the Englishman was Technical Director at Western Sydney Wanderers for eight years. Having made 418 appearances in the England Premier League and Championship as a player, Crook forged a successful career in coaching with Northern Spirit FC, Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets FC, Avispa Fukuoka (Japan) and Norwich City FC (England).
“We are delighted to have secured the services of Ian,” said Ernie Merrick.
Having someone of Ian’s standing within the game, with such a wealth of experience as a player, coach and technical director will be invaluable to Football Australia and Australian football in this key coach education and pathway development role.
“Coach education is the bedrock for supporting the development of our best emerging and established footballers, so Ian’s appointment as Elite Programs Manager is incredibly important to the future success of our national teams,” concluded Merrick.
Crook will commence with Football Australia on Monday, 20 March 2023.
