Get to Know Us
Coaching Director - Paul Grundy
Football Background & Qualifications: FFA C Licence
How would you describe your role s a coach? To provide a fun and safe environment for each player to learn good football habits (as individuals and as a team) and love the game of football
Favourite Coaching Moment: In a preseason friendly a few years ago, my girls were able to play out from a goal kick and 6 passes later the ball was in the back of the opponents net!
Favourite Team: Manchester United
Favourite Current Footballer: Marcus Rashford
Technical Director & MAA PREMS Coach - Chris Deblaere
Football Background & Qualifications: FFA B license
Spent my early years of coaching in the youth league with the North shore Mariners until I was about 19. From there I took a full time role with Lindfield as now Technical Director and assistant of North Shore Mariners 1st team as well as running my academy Peak Football.
How would you describe your role as a coach?
The role of being a Coach in my eyes is helping people realise the potential that they have. I’ve found since I’ve started that as a country we have been willing to settle with a base line of performance and training.
Having now worked in so many environments with youth and senior football I think having coaches who push players of all ages to learn and get closer to maximising potential is the most important part as a coach.
On top of that, helping people fall in love with the game with the coaching and support you provide and continuously growing the interest in the Australian game to help build a sustainable football culture here in Australia.
Favourite Coaching Moment: I’ve had many, my favourite moment would be coming to my first NPL1 game as a coach in 2020, it was a great feeling knowing how far I’ve come in a short time
Favourite Team: Sydney FC
Favourite Current Footballer: Jadon Sancho- an amazing talent to watch
Head of Diamond League - Marcus Swift
Football Background & Qualifications: I started football at the age of 5 playing for different clubs. My first year of high school is when I started playing for LFC. After a brief stint in NPL before the HSC I've continued to be part of the club for around 14 years in total. I've always had a passion for teaching and combining that with my love for football, coaching seemed like an obvious fit. So as I started uni I coached a mixed team and a girls team for a number of years before coaching multiple diamond league teams per season. Even now working full time, coaching has continue to be passion of mine and the culture at LFC has only continued to solidify that feeling. I currently hold a FFA C Licence Certificate and would like to complete the B Licence in the future.
How would you describe your role as a coach? Fostering a safe and fun environment for players to not only enjoy football but challenge themselves. To lead players to reach new heights that they didn't think was possible for themselves, not only in their technical football abilities but their character as well. It is required of us to strive for great realtionships with all players. To help each player grow into the best person they can be.
Favourite Coaching Moment: I coached the GU10s during their first year in the Diamond League competition. The team was a group of extremely energetic young girls who always struggled and lost against one team throughout the year. As they worked hard and learnt to work together their efforts paid off with them winning the Kanga Cup. After that, they never lost against that team for the rest of the season. A very rewarding experience to see them persevere through the year and it pay off.
Favourite Team: Leeds United Football Club
Favourite Player: Kevin De Bruyne
Head of Super League - Craig Pearce
Football Background & Qualifications:
My early days playing experience was in regional NSW. I represented southern NSW at numerous state championships. Somehow I fell into refereeing, and rose through the ranks to be an NSL (precursor to the A League) assistant referee, before resigning to focus on refereeing at NPL level for ten years. An unanticipated move into coaching was a side-benefit of having a son, which then took on a life of its own (the coaching and the son!). I’ve been coaching for over 10 years, and at Lindfield since 2015. I have a C Licence in football and an MA in Communication Management (the latter being unrelated to, but not unhelpful for, coaching!)
How would you describe your role as a coach?
My mantra is fun, improvement and team. Yes, my role is to improve the players I coach as footballers, individually and collectively, but also in giving them a broader perspective about the value of supporting their teammates and recognising the community responsibilities they have. I strive to challenge my players, giving them to permission to fail, then learn and keep pushing boundaries to be (football and non-football) the best they can be. I believe my values as a coach are aligned with those of LFC.
Favourite Coaching Moment:
Every moment coaching – young people in particular – is a privilege. I learn more from them than they (hopefully) learn from me. Seeing my (now not so secret) 3-1-3-3 formation be expertly executed is pretty good. Watching a group of U10C players learn, and put into practice, tactically-driven and structurally-based football from scratch was incredible. Supporting my 2021 15As use their growth mindset to embrace 3-5-2 and expertly execute it was deeply gratifying. The list goes on.
Favourite Team: Arsenal Football Club (locally, Western Sydney Wanderers)
Favourite Current Footballer: Granit Xhaka (the redemption arc!)
Head SAP - Harry Gleeson
Football Background & Qualifications: Skills and Game Training Certificate (6 years coaching with Lindfield)
I have been playing football since I was just 4. Playing for a few clubs in NSFA , my love for the game grew. With my footballing skills continuing to develop, I made the move to northern tigers in under 12s. I had a couple successful seasons there, before moving to Manly United for the next little while. Having broken my leg skateboarding, I decided to have a year off from playing at the rep level. That year off really put things into perspective for me, as I was really missing playing. I had the next few seasons playing at Lindfield from U16s to Premier League. This was also the period where I started my coaching career.
I once again made the move to Northern Tigers, playing for the U20s and First Grade teams. This was a great experience for me as I got an insight to what football looked like at the semi professional level. Now a full time University Student, I have decided to move back to playing at Lindfield FC as to better balance my studies, and new role at the club in running the SAP program.
How would you describe your role as a coach?
My role as a coach is to create an environment where players can grow their love for the game and create lasting relationships both on & off the field. Just as it was so successful for me in growing my own relationship with football, my approach to coaching is to try to recreate these settings to best allow for this to happen. I don't want to over complicate things, simple is best. I allow for players to focus on finding (and expressing) their strengths, while also developing skills across the board.
Favourite Coaching Moment:
As simple as it is, my favourite moments from coaching are the stories I get told on the sideline or before training. As for on the pitch, my favourite moments occur when the team / players try something we have been working on in training and it pays off in the game. It is very satisfying for me as a coach to see players learning - especially when I get a big smile from the players on the field knowing that they are enjoying the game.
Favourite Team: Manchester United
Favourite Current Footballer: Frenkie De Jong & Federico Valverde - Both masters at driving the ball forwards, taking players on at speed and breaking lines with dribbling and progressive passes. Two players that I try to model my game on.
Head of SuperSkills - James Plumley
Football Background & Qualifications:
Skill Game and Skill Training Certificate through XLR8
5 years coaching experience with Lindfield
10 years playing for the club
Recently joined Northern Tigers
How would you describe your role as a coach?
From my perspective, my role as a coach isn’t about showing, telling or teaching the players, it’s about providing an environment where our young players feel safe and comfortable enough to listen and learn. By creating this space, our players will grow and enjoy the sport we all love. With such a passion for the game, there’s nothing more enjoyable than watching others exceed their potential and seeing small developments in their game.
All Time Favourite Coaching Moment:
Friday evening Superskills sessions over the years have been filled with many memorable moments, but there was one particular evening I will never forget. A young player early in the season was not enjoying his football. However, gradually as the season progressed, we began to see improvements in his level of engagement and enjoyment as he received increased guidance from our coaches. A moment which symbolised his improvement was his achievement of scoring the winning goal at the conclusion of a session towards the end of the season, a really rewarding moment for many of the coaches.
Favourite Team: Manchester United
Favourite Current Footballer: Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish
Head of Goal Keeper Coaching - Craig Whitehouse
Goal Keeper coaching is a priority at LFC! Craig, our Head Coach heads up a talented team of specialist coaches. Craig also looks after our Mens and Womens PREMS keepers.
All Diamond League, Super League, SAP and Dev team goalies will have tailored goal keeper coaching, every week. The coaching team will also target MiniRoos teams - so that all players have a basic understanding of the position, as most will have a turn in goals throughout the season. Social team goalies are also welcome to attend goal keeper training.
So if you are keen to gain a better understanding of the role of a goal keeper, please get along to a training session. You can find out more from your Age Coordinator or email goalkeeping@lindfieldfc.com.au
Football Background & Qualifications: Level 1 Goal Keeping, completing C licence
Started Juniors at Mt Colah FC. In and out of reps from the age of 10 up until 42.
How would you describe your role as a coach?
Developing / improving all aspects of Goal Keeping
Working on strengths and weaknesses
Favourite Coaching Moment: To many favourite coaching moments - there's a new one every season. Just the look on the GK’s faces when they do something they never thought they could is always special.
Favourite Team: Never really had a favourite team but I like ChelseaFC and Melbourne Victory
Favourite Player: I have 2, they are obviously goalkeepers - Oliver Kahn & Petr Chech
Head of Coach Development - Luke Harris
Football Background & Qualifications: Have been coaching for the last 10 years, starting as an assistant coach at APIA Leichhardt Tigers, before moving to Bonnyrigg White Eagles as a SAP coach and then Blacktown City Demons as a SAP coach. In 2014, I started coaching at Lindfield FC, where I have coached for the last 6 years as a SAP Head Coach, MAA Division 2 coach, MAA Premier League Reserves coach and MAA Premier League First Grade Coach. I have completed my FFA Advanced B Licence.
How would you describe your role as a coach?
To create a safe learning environment, where players learn and understand the game and
To create an environment where my players develop a lifelong love of the game of football!
All Time Favourite Coaching Moment: Hard to go past winning the 2017 MAA Premier League Reserves title with a 4-1 win over second placed West Pymble in the final game of the season, but really it is when we work on something in training and then a player/s execute that in the game on the weekend. Can’t beat it!
Favourite Team: Western Sydney Wanderers (A-League), Tottenham Hotspur (EPL), FC Barcelona (La Liga)
Favourite Current Footballer: Tie between Harry Kane and Dele Alli.
Head Coach Tom Greeley
Football Background & Qualifications: At the age of 4 I was playing football at LFC, from there I played at various NPL clubs during my teenage years but my heart always would always lie with LFC. At the age of 14, former Technical Director of the club, Danny Hurwitz approached me and asked if I would be interested in coaching. Since that moment coaching became a strong passion which has seen me over the last 10 years coaching players from toddlers to all age. Currently holding an FFA C Licence Certificate with ambitions to complete B Licence.
How would you describe your role as a coach? Empowering players with the tools to work through and develop on their technical, tactical, physical and psychological skills by motivating and inspiring them with supportive direction and guidance. A good coach has the vision to have relationships extended away from the field and support players along their journey of personal development.
Favourite Coaching Moment: Last season coaching the 15A’s. The team managed to serve an impeccable run remaining undefeated throughout the season. The team went through the rounds reaching the finals of the vice treasurers shield versing LFC16A’s, which we then end up winning in a penalty shootout. A great journey over the course of a few seasons, coming second the previous year to then lift two trophies the following. Very rewarding to see the teams perseverance pay off.
Favourite Team: Huddersfield Town Association Football Club
Favourite Current Footballer: Brandon Williams
Head of LFC Girls Junior Development - Lizzie Ramsay
Football Background & Qualifications: I have played football for as long as I remember. I played for Blackpool FC in the UK, captaining the youth sides and making my first team debut at 16.
In Australia and have played the past 4 seasons in the NSFA Women's Premier League and decided I wanted to focus on coaching due to injuries. It's the best thing I've ever done, I absolutely love coaching! I finished a Sport Management (High Performance) Course at the end of 2019 at the International Sports College Australia and was offered a job there straight after where I coach the footballers coming through the program.
This year I also received a scholarship from Football NSW to take my FFA C License coming up in November. I further hope to continue to build a career as a coach or a manager in the football/sports industry.
How would you describe your role as a coach? My main aim as a coach is to help players of all ages and abilities excel beyond their own expectations and help them realise that they do have what it takes, it just requires determination and perseverance. I also hold such a love and passion for the game that I want to share and pass it on to the younger generation, in particular the girls. Girls football is a huge focus of mine and I want to ensure all females involved in the game are able to have access to quality coaching and opportunities. it's a very exciting time to be involved in women's football with the 2023 WWC being held in Australia and New Zealand!
Favourite Coaching Moment: My all time favourite coaching moment has to be one off the pitch, although there's been many on the pitch! In 2019 I received the Lynne Davis award for my coaching and services to women's football at Lindfield FC. This was an extremely rewarding moment as it was my first season having my own team instead of being an assistant coach and I was recognised and praised by the club for my contributions throughout the season.
Favourite Team: Being brought up in the North West of England, I am a huge Liverpool fan.
Favourite Current Footballer: Virgil van Dijk