Steve O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Steve O'Connor played 290 games in the Australian National Soccer League (NSL) and represented Australia in the national team with 44 Socceroo appearances.
He then joined the Hakoah Club making his 1st grade appearance as a 17 year old in a team with such players as John Watkiss
, Danny Walsh
, Ray Baartz
, Alan Marnoch and Jimmy McKay. He played with Sydney City (Hakoah) for 15 years in which time the Club won 4 national titles. When Sydney City folded in 1987 Steve was signed by St George and went on to win another National Championship.
Men's Football Program where he helped coach the likes of Mark Viduka
, Josip Skoko
, Josip Simunic
, Craig Moore
, Kevin Muscat
, Lucas Neill
, Hayden Foxe
, John Aloisi
,Clint Bolten to name a few. During this time he completed the Level 3 Coaching Accreditation and the AIS High Performance Coaching Diploma.
From 1994 to '96 Steve became TD of NSW and started the NTC Development Program and Zone Program concept of which he was Head Coach and included a young Brett Emerton
and Harry Kewell
.
In 1996 Steve returned to the AIS as Head Coach and Program Manager continuing there until 2008. During that time he was assistant coach with the U/17, U/20 and U/23 National Teams at various times and also U/20 National Coach. Between 1996 and 2008 Steve brought into the AIS and further developed Vince Grella
, Mark Bresciano
, Simon Colosimo
, Josh Kennedy
, Carl Valeri
, Billy Celevski, Nick Ward, Stu Musialik, Alex Brosque
, Jobe Wheelhouse
, Luke Wilkshire
, Ljubo Milicovic, Michael Marrone
, Nikolai Topor Stanley, Nathan Burns
, Evan Burger, Kofi Danning
, Ryan Grant
, Nikita Rukavytja, Sebastian Ryall
, Tando Velapi, Jimmy Downey, Mitchel Langerac to name a few. During this time Steve got his Community Accreditation Senior Licence and Advanced Accreditation A Licence.
to join Sydney FC
as Technical Director and Youth Coach. The youth team won the inaugural National Youth League
title and Grand Final, on top of this, five players from the youth team progressed to the U/20 National Team and received senior A League contracts.
"I love helping serious young footballers not only improve their performance but understand what commitment it takes to make it as a professional footballer." The one thing that stands out about all the players mentioned above is not only were they talented but they always wanted to improve and work on their game. Once they understood how, they would constantly evaluate their performance for improvement. The whole process of developing them became very cooperative between the coaching staff and the player. They would set the standards.
, which aims to help young players develop their football potential to the highest level possible.
, which was established in 1999 to pay tribute to Australia's football greats and to recognise exceptional achievements of players, coaches, referees, administrators, and media representatives.
Background
Stephen (Steve) joined Revesby Rovers as a 7 year old and played representative soccer for Bankstown at 8 years old and in consecutive years up until the age of 15. Steve was then chosen in the New South Wales team at 16 and also played 1st grade for Bankstown the same year. During this time Steve also played representative basketball and had to make a decision on which sport to concentrate on, choosing soccer.He then joined the Hakoah Club making his 1st grade appearance as a 17 year old in a team with such players as John Watkiss
John Watkiss
John Watkiss is an artist who has worked in both comics and film. Born in England in 1961.After growing up in the Midlands in England, John Watkiss graduated from The Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Brighton University with a bachelor of Fine Arts degree...
, Danny Walsh
Danny Walsh
Daniel L. "Danny" Walsh was an figure in Providence, Rhode Island involved in bootlegging during Prohibition. He was the top underworld figure in southern New England, and last major Irish-American gangster in the region, until his kidnapping and apparent murder in 1933.-Biography:Born in the...
, Ray Baartz
Ray Baartz
Ray Baartz was an Australian football player. He is a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.Ray was born in Newcastle, New South Wales and spent his early years playing for Adamstown. At 17 he joined Manchester United and after 6 months signed on a two year contract...
, Alan Marnoch and Jimmy McKay. He played with Sydney City (Hakoah) for 15 years in which time the Club won 4 national titles. When Sydney City folded in 1987 Steve was signed by St George and went on to win another National Championship.
Assistant Coach at the Australian Institute of Sport
In 1990 Steve was appointed Assistant Coach at the AISAustralian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
Men's Football Program where he helped coach the likes of Mark Viduka
Mark Viduka
Mark Anthony Viduka is a former Australian soccer player who played as a centre forward. He captained the Australian national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany to the last 16.-Melbourne Croatia:...
, Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko
Josip Skoko is a former Australian football player who last played as a Central Midfielder for A-League club Melbourne Heart.-Early career:...
, Josip Simunic
Josip Šimunic
Josip Šimunić is a Croatian footballer who plays as a defender for Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian national team.-Club career:...
, Craig Moore
Craig Moore
Craig Andrew Moore , is a retired Australian soccer defender.Moore is best known for his two spells with Scottish Premier Division / Scottish Premier League club Rangers...
, Kevin Muscat
Kevin Muscat
Kevin Muscat is an Australian football player who currently plays for Victorian State League Division 1 side Sunshine George Cross and is assistant coach of Melbourne Victory...
, Lucas Neill
Lucas Neill
Lucas Edward Neill is an Australian Soccer player who currently plays for UAE Pro-League club Al Jazira. He is a full back. Neill had spent almost 15 years of his career playing in England. He represented Australia at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, the 2010 World Cup in South...
, Hayden Foxe
Hayden Foxe
Hayden Vernon Foxe is a former Australian football player. He last played with A-League club Sydney FC.-Europe:...
, John Aloisi
John Aloisi
John Aloisi is a retired Australian football player who played as a striker, and the current youth team manager at Melbourne Heart....
,Clint Bolten to name a few. During this time he completed the Level 3 Coaching Accreditation and the AIS High Performance Coaching Diploma.
From 1994 to '96 Steve became TD of NSW and started the NTC Development Program and Zone Program concept of which he was Head Coach and included a young Brett Emerton
Brett Emerton
Brett Michael Emerton is an Australian football player who plays for Sydney FC and the Australia national team...
and Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell
Harold "Harry" Kewell is an Australian professional football midfielder who plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Internationally he has received 55 caps, and scored 16 goals, while playing for the Australian national team...
.
In 1996 Steve returned to the AIS as Head Coach and Program Manager continuing there until 2008. During that time he was assistant coach with the U/17, U/20 and U/23 National Teams at various times and also U/20 National Coach. Between 1996 and 2008 Steve brought into the AIS and further developed Vince Grella
Vince Grella
Vincenzo "Vince" Grella is an Australian football player, who plays as a midfielder for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League...
, Mark Bresciano
Mark Bresciano
Mark "Marco" Bresciano is an Australian football player who is currently playing for UAE Pro-League side Al Nasr SC as a midfielder. He represented Australia at all youth levels, including appearances at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and 2000 Olympic Games...
, Simon Colosimo
Simon Colosimo
Simon Colosimo is an Australian football player who plays as a central defender for Melbourne Heart. He has represented the Australia national team on over twenty-five occasions.-Club career:...
, Josh Kennedy
Joshua Kennedy
Joshua Blake Kennedy is an Australian professional football player who plays as a striker for the Australia national association football team and Nagoya Grampus.- Club career :...
, Carl Valeri
Carl Valeri
Carl Valeri is a professional Australian football defensive midfielder who currently plays for Sassuolo in the Italian Serie B...
, Billy Celevski, Nick Ward, Stu Musialik, Alex Brosque
Alex Brosque
Alex Brosque is an Australian professional football player who currently plays for J. League side Shimizu S-Pulse...
, Jobe Wheelhouse
Jobe Wheelhouse
Jobe Wheelhouse is an Australian football player. He currently plays as an attacking midfielder for the Australian A-League club Newcastle United Jets.-Club career:...
, Luke Wilkshire
Luke Wilkshire
Luke Wilkshire is an Australian football player who plays for Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Premier League...
, Ljubo Milicovic, Michael Marrone
Michael Marrone (footballer)
Michael Marrone is an Australian football player who currently plays for Melbourne Heart.-Club career:Marrone made his professional debut on 18 December 2008 in the FIFA Club World Cup fifth-placed match against Al-Ahly...
, Nikolai Topor Stanley, Nathan Burns
Nathan Burns
Nathan Burns is an Australian international football player currently playing as a right winger for AEK Athens F.C. in the Greek Super League.-Adelaide United:He formerly played for Parramatta Eagles and trained at the AIS....
, Evan Burger, Kofi Danning
Kofi Danning
Kofi Danning is an Ghanaian born Australian football player who plays for the A-League club Brisbane Roar. -Early life:Kofi Danning was born in Kumasi in southern central Ghana...
, Ryan Grant
Ryan Grant
Ryan Brett Grant is a running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005 but was traded to the Packers shortly before the 2007 season in exchange for a future sixth-round draft pick...
, Nikita Rukavytja, Sebastian Ryall
Sebastian Ryall
Sebastian Ryall is an Australian football player who currently plays as a defender for Sydney FC.-Melbourne Victory:Ryall played junior football for West Pymble Soccer Club in Sydney...
, Tando Velapi, Jimmy Downey, Mitchel Langerac to name a few. During this time Steve got his Community Accreditation Senior Licence and Advanced Accreditation A Licence.
Technical Director & Youth Coach at Sydney FC
In 2008 Steve resigned from the AISAustralian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
to join Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
as Technical Director and Youth Coach. The youth team won the inaugural National Youth League
A-League National Youth League
The A-League National Youth League is an Australian national football league run in parallel to the A-League. The aim of a league is to provide a pathway for young players and state league players to play regular high-level football, and allow reserve players from senior A-League teams to remain...
title and Grand Final, on top of this, five players from the youth team progressed to the U/20 National Team and received senior A League contracts.
"I love helping serious young footballers not only improve their performance but understand what commitment it takes to make it as a professional footballer." The one thing that stands out about all the players mentioned above is not only were they talented but they always wanted to improve and work on their game. Once they understood how, they would constantly evaluate their performance for improvement. The whole process of developing them became very cooperative between the coaching staff and the player. They would set the standards.
International Football Institute
Steve O'Connor is also a qualified Physical Ed. Health and Personal Development Teacher and now runs The International Football Institute in Sydney NSW AustraliaSydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, which aims to help young players develop their football potential to the highest level possible.
Australian Football Hall of Fame
In 2003, Steve O'Connor was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of FameAustralian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
, which was established in 1999 to pay tribute to Australia's football greats and to recognise exceptional achievements of players, coaches, referees, administrators, and media representatives.