Coaches

FDA Academy coaching team profiles:

Omar Melizza - FDA Academy headcoach

Omar was born in Rimini, Italy and played for 10 years professionally in the Italian Serie B and Serie C. He spent a number of seasons playing with high profile clubs such as Cesena and Siena.

At youth level in Italy he played against current football stars such as Buffon, Pirlo, Totti, Gattuso and Ambrosini on a regular basis and also played under the guidance of Italy’s top professional coaches such as Ballardini, Benedetti, Marchioro and Tardelli during his career.

This experience makes Omar an integral part of the FDA coaching team in Australia and he has created a fantastic rapport with young players at the elite FDA Academy in Sydney and at the FDA Camp programs.

Cormac Begley - FDA Academy headcoach

FDA Founder and Director, Cormac brings his invaluable experience of playing professionally in Ireland, France and Italy to FDA's Youth Development coaching team. His ongoing research with a number of top European football organisations means that he is always bringing updated and innovative training techniques into FDA's programs.

Cormac played as an international for his native Republic of Ireland U-18 national side. His professional career then brought him to France and Italy where he played in the Serie C for 3 seasons with Giarre Calcio in Sicily.

He has been a Youth Development coaching specialist for 10 years and is Head Coach at the FDA Academy for elite player development in Sydney.

 





Robbie McCullagh  - Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Robbie has worked with professional coaches at FDA’s football programs since the beginning of 2007 and has been working in the role of Strength and Conditioning Specialist at FDA’s Academy that specializes in elite player development for 2 years.

FDA places an important emphasis on strength, mobility and conditioning at all of its football programs so that young players can improve their co-ordination as they grow and benefit from this preparation when they are playing and training. Strength and conditioning is a fundamental part of every profession youth development Academy in Europe.

Robbie holds a Bachelor Degree in Sports Science having completed his studies at the University of Sydney.





More coach profiles will be added soon.