Meet the SoccerPro team that makes this Youth Development Academy possible!

Director of Coaching: Andre Gumprecht

Born in Jena, Germany, Gumprecht made his professional debut for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga. While representing his country as a youth player he played in the Serie A in Italy for US Lecce at the age of only 18. Andre spent the next 7 years playing for clubs SG Wattenscheid 09, Bayer Leverkusen, VfL Halle 96 and FSV Zwickau. After playing further in Germany he made his debut in Australia for Perth Glory in the NSL winning a premiership, and winning a string of awards such as Mel Moffat Award for best player 02/03 (by journalists). Now playing in the A-League for the Mariners, firmly cementing his place as the most dynamic midfielder in the country. After winning the pre-season cup 2004, Gumprecht was awarded Members player of the year along with being a finalist in the grandfinal of the A-League.

Andre has been accredited with a youth and senior coaching licence by the FFA. He has also been accredited with a Fitness for Soccer Course and a Sports General Course by the FFA.

Head Coach: Damien Brown

Central Coast born Damien Brown started playing soccer for The Entrance Juniors at the age of five. By ten, Damien played for the Central Coast Representative side and was selected to travel once a year to compete in the State Championships with the Northern NSW Squad. Whilst studying for the HSC, Damien played for The Entrance first grade in the Central Coast Premier League Division. He went on to play for the Central Coast Coasties, taking out the State League first Division. He was voted player of the year in both clubs. After a season in the NSL playing for Newcastle Breakers, Damien moved to Canberra to join the Canberra Cosmos. Between 1997 and 1999, Damien won three Grandfinals at Blacktown City Soccer Club in the NSW State League whilst studying for a double degree in Exercise Science and Secondary Education. In 2000, Damien re-entered the NSL with a three year stint at Parramatta Power followed by one year at Newcastle United. Recently, playing for the Central Coast Mariners has meant greater time to enjoy his Soccer and three favourite past-times: family, friends and fishing! Although tagged a utility player, Damien's natural left foot has allowed him to occupy his favoured position of left midfield.

Assistant Coach: Brad Porter

AIS graduate Porter was introduced to the Mariners set up at the tail end of their inaugural Hyundai A-League season. Porter began his career at Kanwal Oval with northern Central Coast junior side the Kanwal Warnervale Rovers, before spending four years at elite youth academies around Australia. First up was the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) in 2001, which was followed by a three-year stint at the Australian Institute of Sport that concluded in 2005. Porter can claim the bizarre honour of putting two penalties past Italian super club AC Milan's youth team, when representing the AIS at January 2005's International Soccer Challenge in Adelaide. Porter slotted two past the Rossoneri in an epic 17-16 penalty shoot victory to the AIS.

Brad has been accredited with a youth coaching licence by the FFA.

Assistant Coach: Nigel Boogard

Boogaard was re-signed by Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna towards the end of the Central Coast’s recruitment campaign ahead of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08. After two luckless seasons with the yellow and navy, where Boogaard was restricted to just one competitive appearance totalling one minute of game time, it was ultimately some stellar form and consistency with the Central Coast Lightning in the NSW Winter Super League, as well as an outstanding contribution to the Mariners’ successful Philips Lighting Soccer 7’s campaign, that earned Boogaard another shot at Australia’s top flight. One of several youth internationals in the Mariners’ line up, Boogaard’s stint in green and gold spanned between 2002 and 2003, where Boogaard featured with consistency for Australia’s Under 17’s selection.

Nigel has been accredited with a youth coaching licence by the FFA.

Assistant Coach: John Hutchinson

One of the crowd favourites at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Hutchinson’s two-season long Mariners career has been unfortunately mottled by various injury concerns. After exploding onto the Hyundai A-League scene with an eye-catching six goals in eight matches midway through the 2005/06 season, Hutchinson’s hot streak was cruelly cut short after an innocuous fall at Sydney’s Aussie Stadium that forced the Morwell-born attacker to undergo knee reconstructive surgery. Hutchinson’s recovery time – the better part of eight months, saw him return to the Mariners’ squad in time for the 2006 Pre-Season Cup final, only to then endure a frustrating stop-start campaign where he made 16 appearances, ten of which were from the bench. Despite Hutchinson’s wretched luck, the former Northern Spirit lynchpin remains the Mariners’ fourth-highest goal scorer of all time, having scored seven goals from 41 competitive appearances.

John has been accredited with a youth coaching licence by the FFA.

Goal Keeping Coach: Mathew Whitelaw

Born on the Central Coast, Mathew started playing soccer at the age of five for Gosford before playing for Ourimbah in their inaugural year (1982). By age ten, Mathew played for the Central Coast Representative side alongside Damien Brown and also competed with 'Bomber' in State Championships once a year with the Northern NSW squads.

At age fifteen, Mathew played for Blacktown City & made the NSW Country squad that same year, as well as the NSW final camp. At seventeen he was back playing on the Central Coast with the 'Coasties' and reunited with old friends. By twenty-one, Mathew was playing regular football for the first grade team before frustrating injuries took their toll.

Mathew has more recently found success in the Central Coast Premier League with a title with Wyong & grand finalists with Budgewoi. Was voted goalkeeper of the year for two years running 1998 and 1999 in the same competition.