COACHING TEAM

At Sharks, our highest priority is to hire and develop the most exceptional coaches for our players. The incoming 2026 season sees an improved coaching lineup at the club as we double down on this promise.

Our Leadership Team

David Perkovic

MEN’S FIRST TEAM 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 program. 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.
Paul Reid

HEAD OF FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT & U18’s
As a former Socceroo, Paul brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience at every level, from grassroots to the professional stage. With a 16-year career as a professional player in both Australia and England, Paul knows firsthand the standards, winning mentality, and work ethic youth players need to embrace to reach their potential and chase their dreams.
Passionate about youth development, Paul transitioned into coaching after retiring as a player. His coaching career culminated in a role as Assistant Coach for Sydney FC’s A-League men’s team from 2019 to 2023, during which they achieved Premiers and Champions status in 2020. Now, as the Head of Football Development, Paul is committed to leading the next generation of Sharks players with his deep experience and vision for success.
Christopher 'kiki' naumoff

HEAD OF 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.
James Webb

JDL TD
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 program. 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 program into a new era of excellence.

Aleksandar Veljanovski

YOUTH 13’s
Aleksandar, originally from Macedonia, brings a wealth of international playing experience to the Sharks. Starting at a young age, he competed in Macedonia’s top league and represented his national team from U13 to U21.
Since moving to Australia in 2014, Aleksandar has played at the NPL level and transitioned to coaching, dedicating himself to youth development. He’s thrilled to be part of Sutherland Sharks, where he looks forward to learning from fellow professionals and helping players reach new heights in their football careers.
Luke Di Stefano

YOUTH 14’s
Luke’s coaching journey began with the Miniroo program at Caringbah Redbacks, sparking a passion that quickly led him to take on coaching roles with GSAP and Sharks’ U11 SAP team.
With a background in competitive football and a keen interest in the tactical intricacies of the game, Luke is excited to help players develop as they transition into youth football. He looks forward to building a cohesive team and is driven by a vision of guiding his squad to finals success, instilling a love for the game and the discipline required to excel.
John Christou

YOUTH 15’s
John’s football journey began as a standout young player in the NSW State League, competing alongside top players and gaining invaluable international experience playing against clubs like AC Milan and Olympiakos. After his playing career, he dedicated over 15 years to youth coaching in the NPL, helping hundreds of players prepare for senior football.
Now part of the Sharks coaching team, John values the camaraderie of his colleagues and is focused on making a positive impact on every player’s development. His message to players and families: “Enjoy the journey.”
Luccas Pereira

YOUTH 16’s
Luccas is a passionate football coach committed to developing players of all ages through personalised, skill-focused training. His coaching philosophy centres on exposing players to diverse playing styles and high-level competition to enhance growth, which led him to collaborate with IberCup and create international pathways for Australian players.
With a meticulous approach to training, Luccas emphasises attention to detail and leads by example, aiming to instill resilience, teamwork, and a love for the game in each player. He fosters an environment that encourages excellence and a deep understanding of football’s values.
Nathan Denham

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.
Tom Wilson

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
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 programs 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 programs, and lectured in exercise science. Tom’s dedication to enhancing sports performance makes him a vital part of the Sharks’ development program.