The Western Sydney Wanderers can today provide an update on the club’s Academy structure as part of the ongoing review of Football Operations.
The club would firstly like to acknowledge the departure of Youth Technical Director of the Boys Academy Corey Gameiro who has mutually agreed to depart the club after three years of work in the Boys Academy space.
The Wanderers would like to thank him for his contribution in developing the next generation of talent in Western Sydney.
As part of the change, the Wanderers are pleased to welcome one of Australia’s most experienced coaches and coach educators Ivan Jolic to the club as Academy Technical Director across both the Boys and Girls Academy programs.
Jolic joins the Wanderers with broad experience across the Australian football landscape, having worked throughout the men’s and women’s game across player development, coach education, professional football and international programs.
An AFC/Football Australia Pro Diploma holder, Jolic has extensive experience across skill acquisition, talent identification and player development, as well as the education and development of coaches.
His career has included roles with Football Federation Australia as a Skill Acquisition Specialist, A-League Men environments including Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur FC, as well as Football Australia’s National Teams Unit with the Young Socceroos and Matildas.
Jolic was part of the Matildas program in the lead-up to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and has most recently continued his international coaching career with the China Women’s National Team, serving as an assistant coach alongside Head Coach and former Wanderers assistant coach Ante Milicic in both roles.
As Academy Technical Director, Jolic will provide leadership and oversight across the Wanderers Academy, with a focus on establishing a clear football philosophy, greater alignment throughout the club’s development pathway and an environment that challenges and supports both players and coaches.
His appointment will also see A-League Women’s Head Coach Geoff Abrahams transition from his previous dual-role capacity across the senior women’s program and Girls Academy to focus solely on the A-League Women.
Abrahams has played an important role in the development of the club’s Girls Academy and emerging talent, with the new structure allowing him to dedicate greater time and focus to the continued development of the Wanderers’ A-League Women program.
The Academy and A-League Women environments will remain closely aligned, with a continued focus on establishing a clear pathway for emerging players into the senior squad.
Western Sydney Wanderers Football Director Mal Impiombato said the changes were designed to enhance the club’s existing football structure, bringing additional expertise and specialist skillsets into the Academy as the Wanderers continue their ambition to build the leading football development environment in the country.
“As part of our ongoing review of Football Operations, we have looked at how we can streamline roles and processes across the Academy and create greater clarity throughout our pathway,” said Impiombato.
“Ivan brings significant experience across player development, coach education, professional and international football, and will play an important role in leading both our Boys and Girls Academy programs.
“His appointment also allows Geoff to dedicate his full focus to our A-League Women program as we continue to strengthen both our Academy and senior environments.
“Corey has played an integral role in the development of our Boys Academy during his time at the club and we thank him for his contribution. We wish him every success in the next chapter of his coaching career.
“Our intent is clear: to bring the expertise and experience into our football program to build the leading football development pathway in this country.”
Jolic’s appointment represents another step in the club’s commitment to developing the next generation of players and coaches from Western Sydney and beyond, while strengthening the pathway from the Wanderers Academy into the club’s A-League Men and A-League Women programs.
