Meet the coaching staff

Matheus Scapin

Head Coach

Matheus has worked with teams in 25 different countries allowing him to deliver and observe different coaching methods, structures and be able to implement Spurs’ own philosophy to build programs and develop players into the elite football stage. Fluent in 5 languages and with experiences in the male and female game at all levels, Matheus brings a wealth of coaching knowledge and experience to the Global Football Program.

Matheus has playing experience in Brazil, Greece and England and has been through the Tottenham Hotspur Academy and college programs as a player. Matheus has worked full-time as a Lead and Head Coach in both domestic and international programs delivering Tottenham’s philosophy.

Matheus holds a UEFA B coaching licence and a degree in Sports Coaching Science.

Robert Gold

Lead Coach

Rob has been a Global Football Coach for Tottenham Hotspur since 2016 and has worked on both domestic and international programs delivering Tottenham’s unique coach education ethos. Rob has also been involved in Tottenham Academy, coaching in Development Centres which aims to help progress players into the Academy.

Rob brings a unique style of coaching, having coached in numerous countries like Norway, USA, and the Cayman Islands. These experiences enable him to implement both his own and Tottenham’s world-famous football philosophy into UOW’s Global Football Program curriculum.

His enthusiasm for Sport and academia has led him to complete a Sports & Exercise Science degree as well as a Secondary School Teaching Degree, specialising in Physical Education and History. Rob has recently completed his third degree, a Master of Elite Football Coaching. Demonstrating his passion for education, Rob brings a vast amount of experience in juggling academic success and sporting ambition, enabling him to aid the students’ development on the Global Football Program.

Petr Sestak

Goalkeeper Coach

Petr was born in the Czech Republic and started playing football as a six year old. With football being the country’s number one sport, Petr instantly fell in love with the game.

From six years of age Petr played at FK Viktorka Zizkov and progressed through the youth academy into the first team. There, he trained under the guidance of professional coaches and with Czech National Team players like Karel Poborsky, Josef Nemec and Petr Brabec.

After arriving in Australia in 2000, Petr has played for several State League clubs before retiring and moving into full-time coaching.

Petr has taken direction from the coaches at Spurs as to how to implement their philosophy into his goalkeeper sessions and is using that knowledge to work with the goalkeepers in the Global Football Program.

Mitch Nielsen

Strength & Conditioning Coach

Having played representative rugby league, cricket and touch football, physical performance has always been central to Mitch’s life. His passion for sport and fitness led him to complete a Bachelor of Science (Exercise Science) at UOW and a Master of Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning) at Edith Cowan University.

Mitch is responsible for the physical development of the students in the Global Football Program and will work with the other coaching staff to develop individual programs to ensure each students area of focus is relevant to the areas they are looking to develop.

Professional experience

• Head Physical Performance Coach - Illawarra Academy of Sport (2018-present)
• Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach - Illawarra Hawks (2019/20)
• Head Strength & Conditioning Coach - St George Illawarra Dragons NYC (2017)

Dr. Matt Whalan

Health & Performance Manager

Matt has been a partner at a prominent Illawarra physiotherapy practice since 2005 and has extensive sports physiotherapy experience. Matt recently completed his PhD in injury prevention in football in addition to his Honours degree in Exercise Science & Rehabilitation and Masters in Physiotherapy. Matt has an active and hands-on approach to rehabilitation.

Matt’s particular areas of interest include injury prevention and athlete and team high performance management.

Aside from his involvement in the Global Football Program, Matt’s current roles include:

• Physiotherapist for Football Federation of Australia (FFA) National Teams Unit
• Medical & High Performance Manager (Wollongong Wolves FC)
• Head Physiotherapist (Wollongong Wolves FC)
• Physiotherapist and Consultant to Project M Triathlon Squad
• Researcher at the University of Wollongong consulting with the School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences

Matt Sheppard

Program Manager

Matt is the Program Manager for UOW’s Global Sport Programs which means that he works directly with coaches and students to develop a program of football activities that is tailored around students’ academic commitments and football coaching needs.

Prior to joining UOW, Matt spent nine years as the Logistics Manager and the Team Manager at Australian Rugby Union and Football Federation Australia, working with some of Australia’s best sportspeople.

Most recently at Football Federation Australia, Matt worked with National teams across all age groups both in Australia and abroad. Travelling with teams to major international tournaments has provided Matt with the knowledge of what an elite sporting environment looks like and puts him in the perfect position to deliver that environment here at UOW.

Pictured below, at centre.