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Coaching Team

At the Sharks, our highest priority is to hire and develop the most exceptional coaches for our players, and we keep strengthening our coaching team to deliver on that promise.

A Sharks coach in a black cap pointing up the pitch as he talks three young players in sky blue through a move

Our Leadership Team

  • Tom Sermanni, arms folded, in an Australia polo shirt

    Tom Sermanni

    Strategic Director of Women’s Football

    With a coaching CV in the women's game that's close to unmatched, Tom Sermanni joins Sutherland Sharks FC as Strategic Director of Women's Football. He's the most successful coach in Matildas history across three separate stints in charge, guiding the side to their only major trophy at the 2010 AFC Asian Cup, along with quarter-final finishes at the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cups.

    Beyond the Matildas, Tom's career has spanned four continents, with stints in charge of the USWNT, the Football Ferns and Canada, plus three seasons as the inaugural head coach of NWSL expansion side Orlando Pride. A Football Australia Hall of Famer and 2007 AFC Coach of the Year, Tom now brings that experience to Seymour Shaw, working closely with the club on key coaching appointments and helping shape strategic decisions across every level of our Girls & Women's programme.

  • David Perkovic, smiling, arms folded, in front of old Sharks photos

    David Perkovic

    Men’s First Team Head Coach

    With more than 15 years of coaching experience across the National Premier Leagues, David Perkovic joins Sutherland Sharks FC as Head Coach ahead of the 2026 season. Known for his tactical intelligence and player-first leadership, David has previously guided many great clubs, with his most recent tenure at NWS Spirit ending with an NPL1 title, earning respect for his ability to build strong cultures and competitive teams.

    David’s arrival marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our senior programme. Combining proven coaching credentials with a clear football identity, he is committed to developing a winning squad built on hard work, discipline, and attacking football, and to connecting our First Grade environment with the pathways emerging through the Youth and Academy ranks.

  • Alicia Ferguson, smiling, arms folded, in front of old Sharks photos

    Alicia ‘Eesh’ Ferguson

    Women’s First Team Head Coach

    A dual World Cup representative and 2000 Sydney Olympian, Alicia Ferguson joins Sutherland Sharks FC as Women's First Grade Head Coach. Alicia debuted for the Matildas at just 15 and went on to earn 66 caps over a decade in the green and gold, while at club level she won four WNSL titles with Queensland Sting and a W-League championship with Brisbane Roar. Since hanging up the boots, she has led the ParaMatildas as Head Coach and this year guided Charlestown Azzurri's NPLW side to a finals-contending finish in Northern NSW.

    Alicia's appointment marks an exciting step for our shared Girls & Women's Football programme with SSFA. Working alongside Tom Sermanni, Charlotte Young and the rest of the football department, she will lead our First Grade squad and help build a genuine pathway across our women's programme.

  • Paul Reid, smiling, in a black Sharks training jacket in the stand

    Paul Reid

    Head of Football Development

    A former Socceroo and professional player with Brighton & Hove Albion and in the A-League, Paul is the current Joeys Assistant Coach and the club’s U18s coach. He oversees the design and delivery of the club’s community programmes and High Performance Academy, translating his top-tier playing background and coaching expertise into clear, structured pathways that develop the next generation of Sharks talent from grassroots through to the senior ranks.

  • Christopher ‘Kiki’ Naumoff, arms folded, in a black Sharks training shirt in the stand

    Christopher ‘Kiki’ Naumoff

    Head of Boys Youth Football & U20s

    A former Sydney FC professional and long-time member of our coaching team, Kiki Naumoff has become a driving force behind youth development at Sutherland Sharks FC. After progressing through the Sydney FC Academy and representing Australia at U20 and U23 level, Kiki brings invaluable first-hand experience of the pathway young players aspire to follow.

    Now Head of Youth Football, Kiki oversees our entire Youth structure while continuing as U20s Head Coach. His focus is on building a connected, high-performance environment that helps every player and coach reach their potential. With a modern approach and deep understanding of the game, Kiki is leading our push toward Gold-rated Youth Program status and future NPL1 promotion.

  • Charlotte Young, smiling, in a navy Sharks jacket in the stand

    Charlotte Young

    Girls Youth Technical Director

    Charlotte Young joins as Girls Youth Technical Director, bringing a rare mix of elite playing pedigree and serious coaching credentials to Seymour Shaw. A former England U23 international, Charlotte played for Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton before continuing her career in Sydney as captain of both APIA and St George.

    Charlotte holds a UEFA A Licence, the highest coaching qualification in football, and has worked across some of the game's most respected development environments, including a stint with the English FA's national development programme and coaching roles within Brighton. She's since held the Technical Director post at Sydney University and is currently Head of Girls Football at Endeavour Sports High School, alongside a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, a Master of Science in Exercise Science, and 12 years of teaching experience.

  • Debbie Fisher, smiling, in a navy Sharks jacket in the grandstand

    Debbie Fisher

    Girls JDL Technical Director

    Debbie Fisher, with almost 30 years of experience across schools, state and national football programmes, is the Girls Junior Development League Technical Director. Her background spans grassroots coaching through to elite pathways, including her previous role as Pathways and Talent Development Manager at Football Australia, where she led the national rollout of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme. She has also developed players who’ve gone on to the A-League, W-League and national teams.

    Having managed the Junior Matildas U17s and worked within the Manchester United Academy programme at Parramatta Eagles, Debbie brings a national and international perspective to our Girls JDL programme. A passionate educator and coach developer, she is committed to building a quality pathway for girls across the Shire, supporting players and coaches alike.

  • James Webb, smiling, in a navy Sharks polo shirt

    James Webb

    Mixed JDL Technical Director

    James Webb, with over 20 years of coaching experience across New Zealand, England, and Australia, is the first full-time Junior Development League (JDL) Technical Director at Sutherland Sharks FC. His extensive background includes working with players of all ages, from grassroots to elite pathways, and developing national-level players now competing internationally.

    Having coached at Chelsea Football Club and contributed to New Zealand’s talent pathways, James brings a global perspective to our JDL programme. He is committed to fostering a high-quality, inclusive development environment focused on individual growth, goal setting, and a love for the game. Passionate about supporting players and coaches alike, James is excited to lead the Sharks’ JDL programme into a new era of excellence.

Our Strength & Conditioning Team

  • Gary Rafferty, smiling, in a white Sharks polo shirt in front of the club’s history mural

    Gary Rafferty

    Senior Men’s Strength & Conditioning Coach

    Gary Rafferty is the Sutherland Sharks FC Senior Men’s Strength & Conditioning Coach. He arrived alongside Head Coach David Perkovic after the pair won the NPL1 title together at NWS Spirit. Gary has spent more than a decade in football performance, with roles at NWS Spirit, Football NSW and Football Fitness AU. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance from Bellevue University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and a Higher National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development from Glasgow Kelvin College.

    Gary’s appointment adds proven, title-winning experience to our senior men’s programme. He brings a detailed, player-centred approach to performance, and he’s focused on building a fit, robust and resilient squad that can play at full intensity every week and stay strong right through to the business end of the season.

  • Lachlan MacKenzie

    Senior Women’s Strength & Conditioning Coach

    Lachlan MacKenzie joins Sutherland Sharks FC as Senior Women’s Strength & Conditioning Coach. He combines his work as a PhD candidate in applied sports science with hands-on S&C roles in team sport. Much of his research is in women’s football. His latest paper, published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, found that a short submaximal fitness test is a valid and practical way to track how female footballers respond to preseason training. Lachlan’s special interests include closing the gender gap in sports science, energy systems in team sport, injury prevention and long-term athletic development.

    Lachlan’s arrival brings an evidence-based edge to our senior women’s programme. He links current research with what happens on the training pitch, and he’s committed to giving our players a performance environment built around their needs, so they have the fitness and resilience to compete across a full NPL season.

  • Tom Wilson, smiling, in a black shirt in the stand

    Tom Wilson

    Boys and Girls Youth Strength & Conditioning Coach

    Tom is a seasoned Exercise and Sports Scientist with over 15 years of experience in athletic performance, specialising in strength and conditioning. A former semi-professional player in the NSW NPL—and a former Sharks player himself—Tom understands the demands of competitive football. After running strength and conditioning programmes at St George FC and Mounties Wanderers FC, he has returned to his childhood club to build a new generation of strong, resilient Sharks athletes.

    With a diverse background in athletic performance, Tom has worked with professional and amateur athletes across multiple sports, managed private academy programmes, and lectured in exercise science. Tom’s dedication to enhancing sports performance makes him a vital part of the Sharks’ development programme.

Our Specialist Staff

  • Nathan Denham in profile, in a black shirt against the sky at Seymour Shaw

    Nathan Denham

    Men’s & Boys’ Goalkeeper Coach

    Nathan brings extensive playing experience from both the NSL and NPL NSW. He played youth football with Canberra Deakin, winning the final NSL Youth season, and went on to represent Wollongong Wolves before joining Sharks in 2008. Nathan played over 200 First Grade games with the club, winning several trophies until retiring in 2017.

    Now fully dedicated to coaching, Nathan is passionate about developing the next generation of goalkeepers at the Sharks with the hope of seeing them progress to professional careers. Having mentored players who have gone on to the A-League, the national team and successful international careers, he brings invaluable experience and a commitment to helping young goalkeepers reach their potential.

  • Allan Edmondson, smiling, in a white Sharks polo in front of the John Hills Stand

    Allan Edmondson

    Video Analyst

    Allan led the club as President until 2025, then stayed on as Vice President. A coach with a Football Australia/AFC A Diploma, he has spent more than three decades developing young footballers, including as a Sharks youth head coach, and is now the club’s Video Analyst, helping our coaches and players understand the game.

Sharks youth players in sky blue numbered shirts walking off the pitch at Seymour Shaw on a sunny afternoon, their long shadows across the turf

Join the Sharks Coaching Team

If you’re an ambitious football coach looking to grow and learn under some of the best coaches in the country, please apply today.

See Open Positions