In-person tickets for the Football Association of Wales National Coaches Conference have now sold out for the event, which takes place on 25 and 26 May 2024.
The FAW National Coaches Conference is an annual event which attracts the biggest names in the game to discuss new ideas, trends and innovations in football coaching and will be led by the FAW’s Chief Football Officer and Technical Director, Dr David Adams.
The two-day event, which combines entertaining and insightful theory lectures with world class practical sessions, also serves as revalidation for UEFA Qualified Coaches.
International online access to the FAW National Coaches Conference remains open to international coaches who need to revalidate their qualification and are based outside of the UK.
International access remains open
National Coaches Conference for international based coaches
Confirmed guest speakers to date include:
Rob Page
Cymru Men’s boss Rob Page will be hosting a theory session during the dinner event at this year’s National Coaches Conference, alongside Cymru Women’s manager Rhian Wilkinson.
The former Cymru international and Watford defender has been in charge of the national side since 2020, guiding Cymru through two major tournaments in Euro 2020 and the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Rhian Wilkinson
Current Cymru Women’s Manager Rhian Wilkinson has been a coach since retiring from playing in 2017, with an extensive career that included two bronze medals with the Canadian National team.
Winning the NWSL Championship with previous team Portland Thorns, Wilkinson will be hosting a practical case study on the Women’s National Team at the National Coaches Conference, along with a theory session alongside Rob Page.
Russell Martin
A former Scottish international defender with five promotion winning seasons to his name, Russell Martin will be hosting a spotlight session on setting the environment at the National Coaches Conference 2024.
Formerly manager of both Milton Keynes Dons and Swansea City, Martin currently lies at the helm of English Championship outfit Southampton, with his team battling in the Play-off spots hoping to make a swift return to the English Premier League.
Thierry Henry
A World Cup and two-time English Premier League winner, Thierry Henry is a player synonymous with scoring goals and winning at the highest level. Amongst his honours includes a treble winning season at Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, two FA Cups and several records, including topping the list of Arsenal’s all-time goal scorers.
After completing his UEFA Pro Licence with the FAW, the retired French forward has gone on to manage Monaco, Montreal Impact and held an assistant position alongside Roberto Martinez with the Belgium National Squad. Currently, Henry manages the French U21 squad, and will be providing a Tactical Masterclass theory session at this year’s National Coaches Conference.
Gael Clichy
A former French international with several domestic honours to his name, Gael Clichy will be showcasing a case study on game principles from the French U21 squad at this year’s National Coaches Conference.
A three-time English Premier League winner from his time at Arsenal and Manchester City, the defender is currently an Assistant Coach with the French U21 squad, after completing his A Licence with the Football Association of Wales.
Nuri Sahin
Former Real Madrid and Turkey midfielder Nuri Şahin currently holds an assistant coaching position as a part of Edin Terzić’s coaching staff, at another of his former clubs, Borussia Dortmund.
Hosting a practical delivery session on quick transitions from central areas at the 2024 National Coaches Conference, the former Antalyaspor boss holds several domestic honours, with both a La Liga and Bundesliga title to his name.
Joao Tralhao
A former assistant coach at AS Monaco under Thierry Henry and Antalyaspor alongside Nuri Sahin, Joao Tralhao has also worked extensively within the Benfica youth setup during his managerial career.
Now the Portuguese coach will be hosting a session on defending the box and ball oriented pressing principles, returning after hosting a session at last year’s National Coaches Conference.
Michael Valkanis
A former Australian international, Michael Valkanis now works as a part of John van ‘t Schip’s coaching staff at Ajax, as an assistant coach.
The former A-League Premiership winner has worked across several coaching roles since his playing days, taking charge at Eupen, Hapoel Tel Aviv and holding assistant positions at several A-League sides, as well as the Greece national squad.
Valkanis will be hosting a practical delivery session on the attacking principles at Ajax during this year’s National Coaching Conference.
Andrew Sparkes
Currently the first team goalkeeping coach at English Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers, Andrew Sparkes has also held coaching positions within the goalkeeping set-up across several English Premier League sides.
At this year’s conference, the former Reading assistant manager will be hosting a practical session on a goalkeeping case study, utilising his experience coaching across several continents from his time at both New York Red Bulls and South African side Orlando Pirates.
Tim Hoogland
After undertaking his UEFA A Licence with the FAW, retired German midfielder Tim Hoogland is now an assistant coach within the U19 set-up at FC Schalke 04.
Formerly playing for the current 2. Bundesliga outfit, along with stints at FSV Mainz, Fulham and Australian side Melbourne Victory, Hoogland was a part of the Schalke side that won the 2010–11 DFB-Pokal, after eliminating Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
Hoogland will be hosting a practical session on building-up and exploiting the overload at this year’s National Coaches Conference.
