Russell Dean Earnshaw - Coaching Craft
Fostering learning, leadership and high-performance cultures through adaptable team and or individual training environments
Russell Earnshaw is a former professional rugby player turned coach and consultant, specializing in leadership, teamwork, and high-performance cultures. He was assistant coach of England Sevens (2006-2013), leading the team to multiple tournament victories, including the Dubai, Twickenham, and Wellington Sevens, as well as a silver medal at the 2013 Rugby Sevens World Cup. Through The Magic Academy, he now mentors coaches and leaders across rugby, football, and hockey, working with organizations such as New Zealand Sevens, Oyonnax Rugby, Google, GB Hockey, and the Premier League.
Rick Fenoglio – Considerations from the Small-Sided Games Landscape
The impact of small-sided games (SSG) on player development
Rick Fenoglio is a football development expert, currently serving as a Senior Scout and Academy Auditor at City Football Group. He has also been an Advisory Panel Member for the Campaign for Children's Rights in Football since 2024. Previously, he was a Senior Lecturer in Football at Manchester Metropolitan University, specializing in player development through small-sided games (SSG). He has contributed to academy projects and player education with Manchester City FC and Manchester United.
Hugo Scheckter – Power of Onboarding
Integration of players into club environments
Hugo Scheckter is a leading expert in Player Care, with extensive experience in elite football. He has held senior roles at Southampton FC, West Ham United FC, Brentford FC, and Indy Eleven (USA), specializing in player well-being and off-field support. In 2020, he founded The Player Care Group (TPCG) to enhance Player Care standards through training, education, and mentorship. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Football Beyond Borders and holds a degree in Business and Sport Administration from The George Washington University.
Dr. Drew Watson – Mental Health in Youth Athletes
Impact of injuries and loss of sport on youth athletes
Dr. Drew Watson, MD, MS, is an Associate Professor in Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He is board-certified in pediatrics and sports medicine and serves as team physician for the University of Wisconsin and Forward Madison FC (USL League One). As the ECNL Chief Medical Advisor, he leads research on pediatric exercise physiology, injury prevention, and athlete mental health through his work at the ECNL Center for Athlete Health and Performance and the University of Wisconsin Human Performance Laboratory.
