Advisory Panels
A collective of trusted experts sitting behind the FCN Academy, united by a shared commitment to increasing the representation of female coaches and ensuring they thrive within the sporting system.
FCN Academy
Contributors
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The FCN Academy is built through the wealth of experience, knowledge and lived insights shared by our global network of coaches, leaders, practitioners and experts from across the sporting landscape.
Below is a list of the contributors who have helped shape our online courses, masterclasses, webinars and learning resources — bringing real-world perspectives, experiences and expertise into the FCN Academy community. As our content grows, so will out contributors.
Learning from the voices shaping coaching worldwide
LASTING CHANGE DOES NOT COME FROM ISOLATED INTERVENTIONS.
IT COMES FROM CONNECTED PERSPECTIVES ACROSS THE WHOLE SYSTEM.
Jane Figueiredo
Jane Figueiredo is one of the most successful and respected diving coaches in the world, with over two decades of experience coaching athletes to Olympic, World and Commonwealth success. Across her career, she has coached multiple Olympic medallists from a range of countries and cultures, spanning Olympic Games from Sydney 2000 through to Paris 2024.
Jane is perhaps best known for coaching Tom Daley throughout some of the most successful years of his career, helping guide him to multiple Olympic medals. Her coaching journey has also included roles within Great Britain, Russia and the NCAA system in the United States. As a diver herself, she was recruited from her home Country of Zimbabwe over to the University of Houston.
Known for her authenticity, emotional intelligence and ability to build strong relationships with athletes, Jane combines high standards and elite performance with deep care for the people she coaches. Her work has made her one of the most influential female coaches in international diving.
Jane Figueiredo is one of the most successful and respected diving coaches in the world, with over two decades of experience coaching athletes to Olympic, World and Commonwealth success. Across her career, she has coached multiple Olympic medallists from a range of countries and cultures, spanning Olympic Games from Sydney 2000 through to Paris 2024.
Jane is perhaps best known for coaching Tom Daley throughout some of the most successful years of his career, helping guide him to multiple Olympic medals. Her coaching journey has also included roles within Great Britain, Russia and the NCAA system in the United States. As a diver herself, she was recruited from her home Country of Zimbabwe over to the University of Houston.
Known for her authenticity, emotional intelligence and ability to build strong relationships with athletes, Jane combines high standards and elite performance with deep care for the people she coaches. Her work has made her one of the most influential female coaches in international diving.
Jess Skinner
Jess Skinner is one of Australia’s most respected rugby league coaches and currently serves as Head Coach of the Australian Women’s Rugby League Team, the Jillaroos. She also leads the Women’s Indigenous All-Stars and Prime Minister’s XIII programmes, while working within the NRL as a Pathway Strategy Manager.
A proud Aboriginal woman with Barkanji, Wangkumara and Ngiyampaa heritage, Jess’s coaching journey is unique. Unlike many elite coaches who transition directly from professional playing careers, she developed her craft through community and regional rugby league in rural New South Wales. Her pathway was built through grassroots coaching, teaching, community leadership and athlete development long before professional opportunities existed within the women’s game.
Jess is widely recognised for her ability to build highly connected, psychologically safe and high-performing environments. Her coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by her cultural identity, her experiences working in community sport, and her belief that people perform best when they feel seen, valued and understood. Throughout her career, she has become a leading voice on belonging, inclusion, leadership and athlete wellbeing within high-performance sport.
Jess Skinner is one of Australia’s most respected rugby league coaches and currently serves as Head Coach of the Australian Women’s Rugby League Team, the Jillaroos. She also leads the Women’s Indigenous All-Stars and Prime Minister’s XIII programmes, while working within the NRL as a Pathway Strategy Manager.
A proud Aboriginal woman with Barkanji, Wangkumara and Ngiyampaa heritage, Jess’s coaching journey is unique. Unlike many elite coaches who transition directly from professional playing careers, she developed her craft through community and regional rugby league in rural New South Wales. Her pathway was built through grassroots coaching, teaching, community leadership and athlete development long before professional opportunities existed within the women’s game.
Jess is widely recognised for her ability to build highly connected, psychologically safe and high-performing environments. Her coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by her cultural identity, her experiences working in community sport, and her belief that people perform best when they feel seen, valued and understood. Throughout her career, she has become a leading voice on belonging, inclusion, leadership and athlete wellbeing within high-performance sport.
Ivi Casagrande
Ivi Casagrande is a high-performance consultant, coach developer and founder of Casagrande Coaching and the Casagrande Coaching Academy CIC. Originally from Brazil, Ivi has spent more than two decades in football as both a player and coach, building an international career that spans elite performance, coach education and leadership development.
Having represented and worked across multiple countries and cultures, Ivi has coached and consulted within professional clubs, national teams and international governing bodies. Her experience includes roles with the Brazilian Women’s National Team, Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team, US Youth National Teams, Orlando Pride in the NWSL, Brighton & Hove Albion Women, FIFA and UEFA.
Alongside her work in high-performance football, Ivi is passionate about supporting the next generation of coaches. Through her consultancy and academy, she helps coaches develop not only their technical expertise, but also the self-awareness, leadership skills and confidence required to navigate the realities of modern coaching.
Ivi Casagrande is a high-performance consultant, coach developer and founder of Casagrande Coaching and the Casagrande Coaching Academy CIC. Originally from Brazil, Ivi has spent more than two decades in football as both a player and coach, building an international career that spans elite performance, coach education and leadership development.
Having represented and worked across multiple countries and cultures, Ivi has coached and consulted within professional clubs, national teams and international governing bodies. Her experience includes roles with the Brazilian Women’s National Team, Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team, US Youth National Teams, Orlando Pride in the NWSL, Brighton & Hove Albion Women, FIFA and UEFA.
Alongside her work in high-performance football, Ivi is passionate about supporting the next generation of coaches. Through her consultancy and academy, she helps coaches develop not only their technical expertise, but also the self-awareness, leadership skills and confidence required to navigate the realities of modern coaching.
Phoebe Schecter
Phoebe Schecter is a Sky Sports NFL Presenter, the first British woman to coach in the NFL and a Flag Football Gold Medallist.
She is one of the UK’s most influential voices in American football. A trailblazer on and off the field, making history as the first British woman to coach in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship and working across multiple seasons.
Before breaking barriers in coaching, Phoebe excelled as a flag football gold medallist, later dedicating herself to growing the sport across the UK through grassroots development, consultancy, and community outreach. Phoebe’s broadcasting career began in 2018, progressing from radio to becoming a prominent contributor on Sky Sports NFL. She joined Sky’s coverage in 2020 and, in 2022, became part of the first all-women presenting team to front a live NFL broadcast. She has covered major moments pitchside, including Super Bowl LVII, and continues to be a key presence across Sky’s NFL programming. In 2024, Phoebe expanded her media portfolio further by writing a regular NFL column for BBC Sport.
Today, Phoebe is recognised as a leading ambassador for the game - combining elite coaching experience, media expertise, and a passion for shaping the future of American football in the UK.
Phoebe Schecter is a Sky Sports NFL Presenter, the first British woman to coach in the NFL and a Flag Football Gold Medallist.
She is one of the UK’s most influential voices in American football. A trailblazer on and off the field, making history as the first British woman to coach in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship and working across multiple seasons.
Before breaking barriers in coaching, Phoebe excelled as a flag football gold medallist, later dedicating herself to growing the sport across the UK through grassroots development, consultancy, and community outreach. Phoebe’s broadcasting career began in 2018, progressing from radio to becoming a prominent contributor on Sky Sports NFL. She joined Sky’s coverage in 2020 and, in 2022, became part of the first all-women presenting team to front a live NFL broadcast. She has covered major moments pitchside, including Super Bowl LVII, and continues to be a key presence across Sky’s NFL programming. In 2024, Phoebe expanded her media portfolio further by writing a regular NFL column for BBC Sport.
Today, Phoebe is recognised as a leading ambassador for the game - combining elite coaching experience, media expertise, and a passion for shaping the future of American football in the UK.
Nicole Farley
Bio Coming Soon...
Cody Royle
Cody Royle coaches head coaches in elite sport. After a decade coaching Canada's men's AFL national team, he now mentors a dozen head coaches across professional soccer, basketball, baseball, rugby league, international rugby, college field hockey, ice hockey, and Australian football. Cody has written three books, including The Tough Stuff, an Amazon bestseller that chronicles the emotional toll of coaching in professional sport. His most recent effort, Second Set Of Eyes, sets its sights on the head coaches who are gaining a competitive edge by being coached themselves.
Cody Royle coaches head coaches in elite sport. After a decade coaching Canada's men's AFL national team, he now mentors a dozen head coaches across professional soccer, basketball, baseball, rugby league, international rugby, college field hockey, ice hockey, and Australian football. Cody has written three books, including The Tough Stuff, an Amazon bestseller that chronicles the emotional toll of coaching in professional sport. His most recent effort, Second Set Of Eyes, sets its sights on the head coaches who are gaining a competitive edge by being coached themselves.
Nicolai Morris
Nicolai Morris is an Australian Strength and Conditioning Coach with almost two decades of experience working across professional team sports, high-performance programmes and individual athletes. Throughout her career she has worked with some of Australia’s leading sporting organisations, including Collingwood Football Club, the Hockeyroos (Australian Women’s Hockey Team), and the New Zealand Women’s Hockey Team.
Alongside her extensive experience in team sport, Nicolai has developed a strong reputation within athletics, where she currently works with Olympic medallist and World Champion high jumper Nicola Olyslagers. Her work spans strength and conditioning, athlete development, performance support and interdisciplinary collaboration, giving her unique insight into the complexities of working both within large high-performance teams and individual athlete environments.
In recent years Nicolai has also become a leading advocate for improving the working conditions of performance support staff. Drawing on her own experiences of burnout and excessive workload within elite sport, she has contributed to research exploring the challenges faced by support staff, including long working hours, work-life imbalance and the impact these pressures can have on both practitioners and athletes.
Nicolai Morris is an Australian Strength and Conditioning Coach with almost two decades of experience working across professional team sports, high-performance programmes and individual athletes. Throughout her career she has worked with some of Australia’s leading sporting organisations, including Collingwood Football Club, the Hockeyroos (Australian Women’s Hockey Team), and the New Zealand Women’s Hockey Team.
Alongside her extensive experience in team sport, Nicolai has developed a strong reputation within athletics, where she currently works with Olympic medallist and World Champion high jumper Nicola Olyslagers. Her work spans strength and conditioning, athlete development, performance support and interdisciplinary collaboration, giving her unique insight into the complexities of working both within large high-performance teams and individual athlete environments.
In recent years Nicolai has also become a leading advocate for improving the working conditions of performance support staff. Drawing on her own experiences of burnout and excessive workload within elite sport, she has contributed to research exploring the challenges faced by support staff, including long working hours, work-life imbalance and the impact these pressures can have on both practitioners and athletes.
Sophia Jowett
Sophia Jowett PhD is a leading authority on the power of relationships in performance. A former Professor and current Research Fellow at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, her work has reshaped how we understand the role of human connection in sport, the arts, education, and business.
At the heart of her research lies a simple but transformative idea: no one achieves in a vacuum. Sophia has spent her career uncovering how the quality of two-person relationships, between coach and athlete, teacher and student, leader and performer, can make or break performance, wellbeing, and success. Her work has moved relationships from the margins to the centre of performance thinking.
Her research, funded by leading bodies including the Economic and Social Research Council, UK Sport, and the British Academy, has influenced practice across the globe. She has worked with some of the world’s most high-performing environments, including Formula 1, Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre, the Australian Institute of Sport, The FA, and US Soccer.
Sophia also operated at the very highest level of sport, serving as a psychologist for the Greek team at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Sophia Jowett PhD is a leading authority on the power of relationships in performance. A former Professor and current Research Fellow at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, her work has reshaped how we understand the role of human connection in sport, the arts, education, and business.
At the heart of her research lies a simple but transformative idea: no one achieves in a vacuum. Sophia has spent her career uncovering how the quality of two-person relationships, between coach and athlete, teacher and student, leader and performer, can make or break performance, wellbeing, and success. Her work has moved relationships from the margins to the centre of performance thinking.
Her research, funded by leading bodies including the Economic and Social Research Council, UK Sport, and the British Academy, has influenced practice across the globe. She has worked with some of the world’s most high-performing environments, including Formula 1, Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre, the Australian Institute of Sport, The FA, and US Soccer.
Sophia also operated at the very highest level of sport, serving as a psychologist for the Greek team at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Leanne Norman
Leanne is a Professor of Women in Sport and Academic Lead for the Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub at Loughborough University. Her work focuses on advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in sport—particularly within coaching and organisational cultures. She leads a sector-leading research programme, has led national and international projects, and works as an academic expert with sport bodies, governing organisations, and charities. Through this, she drives impactful knowledge exchange and public engagement, including programmes that support women coaches and help organisations build more inclusive leadership and coaching workforces.
Leanne is a Professor of Women in Sport and Academic Lead for the Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub at Loughborough University. Her work focuses on advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in sport—particularly within coaching and organisational cultures. She leads a sector-leading research programme, has led national and international projects, and works as an academic expert with sport bodies, governing organisations, and charities. Through this, she drives impactful knowledge exchange and public engagement, including programmes that support women coaches and help organisations build more inclusive leadership and coaching workforces.
Michelle De Highden
Michelle is the High Performance Coach Development Senior Lead at Australian Institute of Sport. She is an experienced high performance coach and coach developer, passionate about facilitating coach development at the high performance level. Coaching at both the development and World Championships level has enabled Michelle to understand both the athlete and coach development pathway from grassroots to international success. With over 40 years’ experience coaching, she is also a qualified teacher and coach developer; working in educational, club, state and national sport settings. Michelle has led the collaborative design and implementation of athlete-centered development systems and blended learning designs for coach learning.
Michelle is the High Performance Coach Development Senior Lead at Australian Institute of Sport. She is an experienced high performance coach and coach developer, passionate about facilitating coach development at the high performance level. Coaching at both the development and World Championships level has enabled Michelle to understand both the athlete and coach development pathway from grassroots to international success. With over 40 years’ experience coaching, she is also a qualified teacher and coach developer; working in educational, club, state and national sport settings. Michelle has led the collaborative design and implementation of athlete-centered development systems and blended learning designs for coach learning.
Molly McElwee
Molly McElwee is an award-winning sports journalist, author and broadcaster whose work has become synonymous with telling the stories of women in sport. Having spent several years at The Telegraph before moving into freelance journalism, Molly has built a reputation for producing thoughtful, insightful and deeply researched features that go beyond results and headlines.
Much of her work focuses on women’s sport, particularly football and tennis, exploring the people, environments and systems that shape performance. She is also the author of Building Champions, a book examining the world of women’s tennis and the journeys of some of the sport’s most successful athletes and coaches.
Throughout her career, Molly has been a passionate advocate for increasing the visibility of women’s sport and ensuring that the stories of female athletes, coaches and leaders are told with depth, accuracy and authenticity.
Molly McElwee is an award-winning sports journalist, author and broadcaster whose work has become synonymous with telling the stories of women in sport. Having spent several years at The Telegraph before moving into freelance journalism, Molly has built a reputation for producing thoughtful, insightful and deeply researched features that go beyond results and headlines.
Much of her work focuses on women’s sport, particularly football and tennis, exploring the people, environments and systems that shape performance. She is also the author of Building Champions, a book examining the world of women’s tennis and the journeys of some of the sport’s most successful athletes and coaches.
Throughout her career, Molly has been a passionate advocate for increasing the visibility of women’s sport and ensuring that the stories of female athletes, coaches and leaders are told with depth, accuracy and authenticity.
Vicky Huyton
Vicky is the Founder of the Female Coaching Network (FCN) and an independent consultant specialising in women’s coaching, coach development and system-level change in high-performance sport. Through the FCN, she has worked with a wide range of organisations, including international federations, national governing bodies and global brands, to address structural barriers impacting women coaches’ careers. Vicky brings extensive experience in designing and delivering coach development programmes, mentoring initiatives and applied research grounded in coaches’ lived experiences. Her work focuses on career sustainability, performance environments and key transitions for female coaches, including pregnancy, motherhood and return to coaching.
Vicky is the Founder of the Female Coaching Network (FCN) and an independent consultant specialising in women’s coaching, coach development and system-level change in high-performance sport. Through the FCN, she has worked with a wide range of organisations, including international federations, national governing bodies and global brands, to address structural barriers impacting women coaches’ careers. Vicky brings extensive experience in designing and delivering coach development programmes, mentoring initiatives and applied research grounded in coaches’ lived experiences. Her work focuses on career sustainability, performance environments and key transitions for female coaches, including pregnancy, motherhood and return to coaching.
Lori Locust
Lori Locust is a professional American football coach with expertise in NFL operations, talent evaluation, defensive systems, and high-performance team development. She is recognised as the first woman position coach in the NFL and among the first to coach in—and win—a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She has also held defensive roles with the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens. Her experience spans roster construction, player development, opponent preparation, and performance analytics, underpinned by a systems-level understanding of team-building. She brings a practical advisory focus on talent identification, coaching pathways, defensive strategy, and culture alignment.
Lori Locust is a professional American football coach with expertise in NFL operations, talent evaluation, defensive systems, and high-performance team development. She is recognised as the first woman position coach in the NFL and among the first to coach in—and win—a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She has also held defensive roles with the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens. Her experience spans roster construction, player development, opponent preparation, and performance analytics, underpinned by a systems-level understanding of team-building. She brings a practical advisory focus on talent identification, coaching pathways, defensive strategy, and culture alignment.
John Mitchell
John Mitchell OBE is a professional rugby coach and former player who led the England Women’s Red Roses to their 2025 World Cup Victory. Recognised for his insights into the world of rugby and over two decades of coaching experience, he is an inspirational leader. He is respected for his tactical expertise, resilience and ability to inspire teams across the globe. A sought-after keynote speaker, he shares his real-world experience to resonate with every audience.
John’s transition into coaching began in 1996 when he was hired by Murray Kidd as a technical advisor/forwards coach. He then went on to lead teams across the world throughout his incredible career. From Sale Sharks in 1999, England’s Forwards Coach, Head Coach of the Chiefs in the Super 12, Head Coach of the New Zealand National side and taking over Waikato. In 2006, he became the first-ever New Zealander to coach an Australian Super Rugby franchise as he led the Western Force. John’s career continued to develop with further coaching roles with the Golden Lions, USA Eagles, Blue Bulls, England National team and Japan. In the 2026 New Year Honours List, John was appointed OBE for Services to the Rugby Union.
In 2023, John moved back to England to become the Head Coach of the England Women’s Red Roses team, where he used his expertise to guide them to victory. His career, marked by international experience, resilience, and success across multiple rugby cultures, underlines his reputation as one of the sport’s most accomplished and adaptable coaches. Recognised globally, his achievements reflect both tactical excellence and an enduring ability to inspire players to reach their full potential.
John Mitchell OBE is a professional rugby coach and former player who led the England Women’s Red Roses to their 2025 World Cup Victory. Recognised for his insights into the world of rugby and over two decades of coaching experience, he is an inspirational leader. He is respected for his tactical expertise, resilience and ability to inspire teams across the globe. A sought-after keynote speaker, he shares his real-world experience to resonate with every audience.
John’s transition into coaching began in 1996 when he was hired by Murray Kidd as a technical advisor/forwards coach. He then went on to lead teams across the world throughout his incredible career. From Sale Sharks in 1999, England’s Forwards Coach, Head Coach of the Chiefs in the Super 12, Head Coach of the New Zealand National side and taking over Waikato. In 2006, he became the first-ever New Zealander to coach an Australian Super Rugby franchise as he led the Western Force. John’s career continued to develop with further coaching roles with the Golden Lions, USA Eagles, Blue Bulls, England National team and Japan. In the 2026 New Year Honours List, John was appointed OBE for Services to the Rugby Union.
In 2023, John moved back to England to become the Head Coach of the England Women’s Red Roses team, where he used his expertise to guide them to victory. His career, marked by international experience, resilience, and success across multiple rugby cultures, underlines his reputation as one of the sport’s most accomplished and adaptable coaches. Recognised globally, his achievements reflect both tactical excellence and an enduring ability to inspire players to reach their full potential.
Shannon Winzer
Shannon Winzer is Head Coach of Dallas Pulse, after most recently serving as Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s National Volleyball Team (2021-2024).
Winzer guided Canada’s national team through multiple Olympic cycles and has been recognized for her ability to develop and inspire elite athletes and build winning teams. Canada climbed from World No. 18 to a program-best World No. 8, delivered its best-ever VNL finish in 2024, and produced a historic performance at the 2022 World Championships.
She was Head Coach of the Australian Women’s National Team and led the Volleyball Australia Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport (2016–2019). Her coaching career in Australia also included roles as Assistant Coach for the Senior National Team, Head Coach of the U23 National Team, and Head Coach of the Melbourne University Blues, guiding them to four consecutive national titles.
Shannon Winzer is Head Coach of Dallas Pulse, after most recently serving as Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s National Volleyball Team (2021-2024).
Winzer guided Canada’s national team through multiple Olympic cycles and has been recognized for her ability to develop and inspire elite athletes and build winning teams. Canada climbed from World No. 18 to a program-best World No. 8, delivered its best-ever VNL finish in 2024, and produced a historic performance at the 2022 World Championships.
She was Head Coach of the Australian Women’s National Team and led the Volleyball Australia Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport (2016–2019). Her coaching career in Australia also included roles as Assistant Coach for the Senior National Team, Head Coach of the U23 National Team, and Head Coach of the Melbourne University Blues, guiding them to four consecutive national titles.
Joe Fuggle
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A stronger future for female coaches.
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The FCN Academy is built through the wealth of experience, knowledge and lived insights shared by our global network of coaches, leaders, practitioners and experts from across the sporting landscape.
Our Contributors have helped shape our online courses, masterclasses, webinars and learning resources — bringing real-world perspectives, experiences and expertise into the FCN Academy community. As our content grows, so will out contributors.
Connect, Share and Develop with Female Coaches around the Globe
