SPEAKERS
Our lineup of speakers and advisors brings a collective experience and expertise in coaching pedagogy and science, sports psychology, motivation and coaching excellence. It also includes Olympic and professional athletes and coaches, adding real-life experiences and anecdotes.
Dr. WADE GILBERT
Author: Coaching Better Every Season
Keynote speaker & Workshop Leader
Dr. Wade Gilbert is an internationally renowned coaching consultant and sport scientist, as well as an award-winning professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fresno. His highly acclaimed book Coaching Better Every Season (2017, Human Kinetics) demonstrates the author’s special combination of steeped knowledge of studies in the field, keen understanding of the key principles resulting from that research, and adept communication and teaching skills to inform and benefit coaches, athletes, students and coach educators.
Gilbert has been involved in sport and coaching his entire life. His experience as a competitive multi-sport athlete and coach across a variety of sports fuels his passion for helping coaches and sport organizations enhance the quality of coaching and coach development.
SERGIO LARA BERCIAL
Leeds Becket University, icoachkids.eu
Keynote speaker and workshop leader
Sergio is a Senior Research Fellow in Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University and the International Council for Coaching Excellence. A former Team GB coach in Basketball, Sergio has extensive international experience in development and evaluation and coach education systems. He has also conducted research into High Performance Coaching and Positive Youth Development. Since joining Leeds Beckett University in 2011, Sergio has led a series of major international projects such as the development of the International and European Sport Coaching Frameworks, the highly-acclaimed Serial Winning Coaches study, the development of the International Coaching Degree Standards and the iCoachKids project looking to revolutionise the way youth coaches are trained in the EU. Sergio has gained a reputation as one of the world’s foremost experts in coach education and development and youth sport, having spoken and consulted all over Europe and across the USA, Brazil, Japan, China and Singapore and for governing bodies such as UEFA and FIBA.
JAMES LEATH
Founder: Unleash the Athlete
Keynote Speaker & Workshop Leader
James is the Founder of Unleash the Athlete and former Head of Leadership and Character Development at IMG Academy. He helps college, professional athletes, and business professionals develop the mental and relational side of their craft through interactive lectures and teambuilding activities. James is also the director of performance for Complexity, the esports organization owned by the Dallas Cowboys.
Using stories, improvisation, audience participation, and lots of energy, James provides an experience for the audience with clear takeaways for continued growth. He uses his “Do, Say, Be” formula for developing leaders and empowering them to take ownership in their personal development through goal setting, self-talk, commitment, and teamwork.
James holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Fresno State and a Master’s degree in Performance Psychology from National University.
TANIA COTTON
Founder: Movementwise.org
The Power of Play
Tania Cotton is a British Chartered Physiotherapist and Movement Analyst who has spent the past 12 years working with the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. She has over 25 years experience working both as a clinician with individuals, including elite athletes, who want to ‘transfer pain and dis-ability into passion and performance’; and as an experienced educator, currently teaching on the AISTS Masters Course in Sports Management at the EPFL, Lausanne.
Movementwise shows people how they can develop the physical competencies, mental confidence and emotional resilience not only to excel within sport but also in life
Tania Cotton is a British Chartered Physiotherapist and Movement Analyst who has spent the past 12 years working with the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. She has over 25 years experience working both as a clinician with individuals, including elite athletes, who want to ‘transfer pain and dis-ability into passion and performance’; and as an experienced educator, currently teaching on the AISTS Masters Course in Sports Management at the EPFL, Lausanne.
Movementwise shows people how they can develop the physical competencies, mental confidence and emotional resilience not only to excel within sport but also in life
SERGIO LARA BERCIAL
Leeds Becket University, icoachkids.eu
Keynote speaker and workshop leader
Sergio is a Senior Research Fellow in Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University and the International Council for Coaching Excellence. A former Team GB coach in Basketball, Sergio has extensive international experience in development and evaluation and coach education systems. He has also conducted research into High Performance Coaching and Positive Youth Development. Since joining Leeds Beckett University in 2011, Sergio has led a series of major international projects such as the development of the International and European Sport Coaching Frameworks, the highly-acclaimed Serial Winning Coaches study, the development of the International Coaching Degree Standards and the iCoachKids project looking to revolutionise the way youth coaches are trained in the EU. Sergio has gained a reputation as one of the world’s foremost experts in coach education and development and youth sport, having spoken and consulted all over Europe and across the USA, Brazil, Japan, China and Singapore and for governing bodies such as UEFA and FIBA.
JAMES LEATH
Founder: Unleash the Athlete
Keynote Speaker & Workshop Leader
James is the Founder of Unleash the Athlete and former Head of Leadership and Character Development at IMG Academy. He helps college, professional athletes, and business professionals develop the mental and relational side of their craft through interactive lectures and teambuilding activities. James is also the director of performance for Complexity, the esports organization owned by the Dallas Cowboys.
Using stories, improvisation, audience participation, and lots of energy, James provides an experience for the audience with clear takeaways for continued growth. He uses his “Do, Say, Be” formula for developing leaders and empowering them to take ownership in their personal development through goal setting, self-talk, commitment, and teamwork.
James holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Fresno State and a Master’s degree in Performance Psychology from National University.
TANIA COTTON
Founder: Movementwise.org
Gordon MacLellend
Working with Parents in Sport
'Engage' - How to build positive relationships with your player's parents
Dr. WADE GILBERT
Author: Coaching Better Every Season
Keynote speaker & Workshop Leader
Dr. Wade Gilbert is an internationally renowned coaching consultant and sport scientist, as well as an award-winning professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fresno. His highly acclaimed book Coaching Better Every Season (2017, Human Kinetics) demonstrates the author’s special combination of steeped knowledge of studies in the field, keen understanding of the key principles resulting from that research, and adept communication and teaching skills to inform and benefit coaches, athletes, students and coach educators.
Gilbert has been involved in sport and coaching his entire life. His experience as a competitive multi-sport athlete and coach across a variety of sports fuels his passion for helping coaches and sport organizations enhance the quality of coaching and coach development.
SERGIO LARA BERCIAL
Leeds Becket University, icoachkids.eu
Keynote speaker and workshop leader
Sergio is a Senior Research Fellow in Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University and the International Council for Coaching Excellence. A former Team GB coach in Basketball, Sergio has extensive international experience in development and evaluation and coach education systems. He has also conducted research into High Performance Coaching and Positive Youth Development. Since joining Leeds Beckett University in 2011, Sergio has led a series of major international projects such as the development of the International and European Sport Coaching Frameworks, the highly-acclaimed Serial Winning Coaches study, the development of the International Coaching Degree Standards and the iCoachKids project looking to revolutionise the way youth coaches are trained in the EU. Sergio has gained a reputation as one of the world’s foremost experts in coach education and development and youth sport, having spoken and consulted all over Europe and across the USA, Brazil, Japan, China and Singapore and for governing bodies such as UEFA and FIBA.
JAMES LEATH
Founder: Unleash the Athlete
Keynote Speaker & Workshop Leader
James is the Founder of Unleash the Athlete and former Head of Leadership and Character Development at IMG Academy. He helps college, professional athletes, and business professionals develop the mental and relational side of their craft through interactive lectures and teambuilding activities. James is also the director of performance for Complexity, the esports organization owned by the Dallas Cowboys.
Using stories, improvisation, audience participation, and lots of energy, James provides an experience for the audience with clear takeaways for continued growth. He uses his “Do, Say, Be” formula for developing leaders and empowering them to take ownership in their personal development through goal setting, self-talk, commitment, and teamwork.
James holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Fresno State and a Master’s degree in Performance Psychology from National University.
TANIA COTTON
Founder: Movementwise.org
The Power of Play
Tania Cotton is a British Chartered Physiotherapist and Movement Analyst who has spent the past 12 years working with the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. She has over 25 years experience working both as a clinician with individuals, including elite athletes, who want to ‘transfer pain and dis-ability into passion and performance’; and as an experienced educator, currently teaching on the AISTS Masters Course in Sports Management at the EPFL, Lausanne.
Movementwise shows people how they can develop the physical competencies, mental confidence and emotional resilience not only to excel within sport but also in life
AKU NIEMINEN
International Ice Hockey Federation - IIHF
Aku Nieminen is the Membership Development Manager for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), where he has been working for over a decade.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Leisure Management (Specialization in ice hockey coaching) and a Master’s degree in Sport Development and Management from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Science. He also has a certificate of Trained Coach Developer from the Nippon Coach Developer Academy and the International Council for Coaching Excellence.
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As the Secretary of the IIHF Development Committee and the IIHF Coaching Committee, Aku leads, oversees and manages almost all the development and coaching programs and projects of the IIHF. He has also had numerous sport technical roles in IIHF Championships and Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Richard Bailey PhD FRSA directs research at the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, the worldwide umbrella body for sports science and education organisations. He had previously held the Founding Chair of Sport and Education at the University of Birmingham.
Richard has studied Physical Education, Evolutionary Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and the Philosophy of Education, and his research reflects this diversity of interests.
He advises a number of national and international organisations, including UNESCO, OECD, the World Health Organisation, the International Olympic Committee, Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the English Premier League, and Sport England. He lives in Berlin, Germany.
Gordon MacLellend
Working with Parents in Sport
'Engage' - How to build positive relationships with your player's parents
After 20 years as a teacher and as a coach, Gordon MacLelland founded ‘Working with Parents in Sport’, a UK based company whose mission is to support parents and coaches in working together to provide children with the best possible sporting experiences.
​
He has a BA/Hons degree in Sports Science from University College Chester and a PGCE from Lancaster University.
He is a qualified teacher and has been Director of Sport at an independent prep school in the UK for the last 10 years. He has worked in schools in both the UK and New Zealand for the last 16 years.
​
He is the author of two books, ‘Great Sports Parenting’ – A pocket guide for parents of children in sport and ‘Engage’ – A coaches guide to building positive relationships with parents.
​
Gordon will deliver 2 talks, one for parents and another for coaches.
Amy Carroll
Carroll Communication Coaching
Amy is a communication expert and specialises in positive influence, leadership and emotional intelligence. With over 25 years of experience, including 14 working in psychiatric and educational facilities, her understanding of the human psyche is extensive. She has received designations of PCC Professional Certified Coach from the International Coach Federation and Certified Master Practitioner of NLP Neuro linguistic programming.
Amy’s keynotes are entertaining, highly interactive, instantly applicable and life changing. She shows her participants how to be dynamic, honest and effective communicators while developing their ability to influence others by creating powerful partnerships. Ultimately the result is a stronger connection, mutual respect and increased motivation!
Dr. WADE GILBERT
Author: Coaching Better Every Season
Keynote speaker & Workshop Leader
Dr. Wade Gilbert is an internationally renowned coaching consultant and sport scientist, as well as an award-winning professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fresno. His highly acclaimed book Coaching Better Every Season (2017, Human Kinetics) demonstrates the author’s special combination of steeped knowledge of studies in the field, keen understanding of the key principles resulting from that research, and adept communication and teaching skills to inform and benefit coaches, athletes, students and coach educators.
Gilbert has been involved in sport and coaching his entire life. His experience as a competitive multi-sport athlete and coach across a variety of sports fuels his passion for helping coaches and sport organizations enhance the quality of coaching and coach development.
JAMES LEATH
Founder: Unleash the Athlete
Keynote Speaker & Workshop Leader
James is the Founder of Unleash the Athlete and former Head of Leadership and Character Development at IMG Academy. He helps college, professional athletes, and business professionals develop the mental and relational side of their craft through interactive lectures and teambuilding activities. James is also the director of performance for Complexity, the esports organization owned by the Dallas Cowboys.
Using stories, improvisation, audience participation, and lots of energy, James provides an experience for the audience with clear takeaways for continued growth. He uses his “Do, Say, Be” formula for developing leaders and empowering them to take ownership in their personal development through goal setting, self-talk, commitment, and teamwork.
James holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Fresno State and a Master’s degree in Performance Psychology from National University.
TANIA COTTON
Founder: Movementwise.org
The Power of Play
Tania Cotton is a British Chartered Physiotherapist and Movement Analyst who has spent the past 12 years working with the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. She has over 25 years experience working both as a clinician with individuals, including elite athletes, who want to ‘transfer pain and dis-ability into passion and performance’; and as an experienced educator, currently teaching on the AISTS Masters Course in Sports Management at the EPFL, Lausanne.
Movementwise shows people how they can develop the physical competencies, mental confidence and emotional resilience not only to excel within sport but also in life
AKU NIEMINEN
International Ice Hockey Federation - IIHF
Aku Nieminen is the Membership Development Manager for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), where he has been working for over a decade.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Leisure Management (Specialization in ice hockey coaching) and a Master’s degree in Sport Development and Management from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Science. He also has a certificate of Trained Coach Developer from the Nippon Coach Developer Academy and the International Council for Coaching Excellence.
​
As the Secretary of the IIHF Development Committee and the IIHF Coaching Committee, Aku leads, oversees and manages almost all the development and coaching programs and projects of the IIHF. He has also had numerous sport technical roles in IIHF Championships and Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Richard Bailey PhD FRSA directs research at the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, the worldwide umbrella body for sports science and education organisations. He had previously held the Founding Chair of Sport and Education at the University of Birmingham.
Richard has studied Physical Education, Evolutionary Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and the Philosophy of Education, and his research reflects this diversity of interests.
He advises a number of national and international organisations, including UNESCO, OECD, the World Health Organisation, the International Olympic Committee, Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the English Premier League, and Sport England. He lives in Berlin, Germany.
Gordon MacLellend
Working with Parents in Sport
'Engage' - How to build positive relationships with your player's parents
After 20 years as a teacher and as a coach, Gordon MacLelland founded ‘Working with Parents in Sport’, a UK based company whose mission is to support parents and coaches in working together to provide children with the best possible sporting experiences.
​
He has a BA/Hons degree in Sports Science from University College Chester and a PGCE from Lancaster University.
He is a qualified teacher and has been Director of Sport at an independent prep school in the UK for the last 10 years. He has worked in schools in both the UK and New Zealand for the last 16 years.
​
He is the author of two books, ‘Great Sports Parenting’ – A pocket guide for parents of children in sport and ‘Engage’ – A coaches guide to building positive relationships with parents.
​
Gordon will deliver 2 talks, one for parents and another for coaches.
Amy Carroll
Carroll Communication Coaching
Amy is a communication expert and specialises in positive influence, leadership and emotional intelligence. With over 25 years of experience, including 14 working in psychiatric and educational facilities, her understanding of the human psyche is extensive. She has received designations of PCC Professional Certified Coach from the International Coach Federation and Certified Master Practitioner of NLP Neuro linguistic programming.
Amy’s keynotes are entertaining, highly interactive, instantly applicable and life changing. She shows her participants how to be dynamic, honest and effective communicators while developing their ability to influence others by creating powerful partnerships. Ultimately the result is a stronger connection, mutual respect and increased motivation!
Dr. WADE GILBERT
Author: Coaching Better Every Season
Keynote speaker & Workshop Leader
Dr. Wade Gilbert is an internationally renowned coaching consultant and sport scientist, as well as an award-winning professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fresno. His highly acclaimed book Coaching Better Every Season (2017, Human Kinetics) demonstrates the author’s special combination of steeped knowledge of studies in the field, keen understanding of the key principles resulting from that research, and adept communication and teaching skills to inform and benefit coaches, athletes, students and coach educators.
Gilbert has been involved in sport and coaching his entire life. His experience as a competitive multi-sport athlete and coach across a variety of sports fuels his passion for helping coaches and sport organizations enhance the quality of coaching and coach development.
SERGIO LARA BERCIAL
Leeds Becket University, icoachkids.eu
Keynote speaker and workshop leader
Sergio is a Senior Research Fellow in Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University and the International Council for Coaching Excellence. A former Team GB coach in Basketball, Sergio has extensive international experience in development and evaluation and coach education systems. He has also conducted research into High Performance Coaching and Positive Youth Development. Since joining Leeds Beckett University in 2011, Sergio has led a series of major international projects such as the development of the International and European Sport Coaching Frameworks, the highly-acclaimed Serial Winning Coaches study, the development of the International Coaching Degree Standards and the iCoachKids project looking to revolutionise the way youth coaches are trained in the EU. Sergio has gained a reputation as one of the world’s foremost experts in coach education and development and youth sport, having spoken and consulted all over Europe and across the USA, Brazil, Japan, China and Singapore and for governing bodies such as UEFA and FIBA.
JAMES LEATH
Founder: Unleash the Athlete
Keynote Speaker & Workshop Leader
James is the Founder of Unleash the Athlete and former Head of Leadership and Character Development at IMG Academy. He helps college, professional athletes, and business professionals develop the mental and relational side of their craft through interactive lectures and teambuilding activities. James is also the director of performance for Complexity, the esports organization owned by the Dallas Cowboys.
Using stories, improvisation, audience participation, and lots of energy, James provides an experience for the audience with clear takeaways for continued growth. He uses his “Do, Say, Be” formula for developing leaders and empowering them to take ownership in their personal development through goal setting, self-talk, commitment, and teamwork.
James holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Fresno State and a Master’s degree in Performance Psychology from National University.
TANIA COTTON
Founder: Movementwise.org
The Power of Play
Tania Cotton is a British Chartered Physiotherapist and Movement Analyst who has spent the past 12 years working with the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. She has over 25 years experience working both as a clinician with individuals, including elite athletes, who want to ‘transfer pain and dis-ability into passion and performance’; and as an experienced educator, currently teaching on the AISTS Masters Course in Sports Management at the EPFL, Lausanne.
Movementwise shows people how they can develop the physical competencies, mental confidence and emotional resilience not only to excel within sport but also in life
AKU NIEMINEN
International Ice Hockey Federation - IIHF
Aku Nieminen is the Membership Development Manager for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), where he has been working for over a decade.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Leisure Management (Specialization in ice hockey coaching) and a Master’s degree in Sport Development and Management from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Science. He also has a certificate of Trained Coach Developer from the Nippon Coach Developer Academy and the International Council for Coaching Excellence.
​
As the Secretary of the IIHF Development Committee and the IIHF Coaching Committee, Aku leads, oversees and manages almost all the development and coaching programs and projects of the IIHF. He has also had numerous sport technical roles in IIHF Championships and Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Gordon MacLellend
Working with Parents in Sport
'Engage' - How to build positive relationships with your player's parents
After 20 years as a teacher and as a coach, Gordon MacLelland founded ‘Working with Parents in Sport’, a UK based company whose mission is to support parents and coaches in working together to provide children with the best possible sporting experiences.
​
He has a BA/Hons degree in Sports Science from University College Chester and a PGCE from Lancaster University.
He is a qualified teacher and has been Director of Sport at an independent prep school in the UK for the last 10 years. He has worked in schools in both the UK and New Zealand for the last 16 years.
​
He is the author of two books, ‘Great Sports Parenting’ – A pocket guide for parents of children in sport and ‘Engage’ – A coaches guide to building positive relationships with parents.
​
Gordon will deliver 2 talks, one for parents and another for coaches.
Amy Carroll
Carroll Communication Coaching
Amy is a communication expert and specialises in positive influence, leadership and emotional intelligence. With over 25 years of experience, including 14 working in psychiatric and educational facilities, her understanding of the human psyche is extensive. She has received designations of PCC Professional Certified Coach from the International Coach Federation and Certified Master Practitioner of NLP Neuro linguistic programming.
Amy’s keynotes are entertaining, highly interactive, instantly applicable and life changing. She shows her participants how to be dynamic, honest and effective communicators while developing their ability to influence others by creating powerful partnerships. Ultimately the result is a stronger connection, mutual respect and increased motivation!
Dr Richard Bailey
Director, International Council for Sport Science & Physical Education
Richard Bailey PhD FRSA directs research at the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, the worldwide umbrella body for sports science and education organisations. He had previously held the Founding Chair of Sport and Education at the University of Birmingham.
Richard has studied Physical Education, Evolutionary Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and the Philosophy of Education, and his research reflects this diversity of interests.
He advises a number of national and international organisations, including UNESCO, OECD, the World Health Organisation, the International Olympic Committee, Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the English Premier League, and Sport England. He lives in Berlin, Germany.
Florence Schelling
Swiss National Team U18 Assistant Coach // Former Olympic & World Bronze Medalist – Ice Hockey
Florence is a 4-time Olympian, having participated in the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympic Games where she placed 7th in 2006, 5th in 2018, won a bronze medal in 2014 and 5th in 2018. At the Olympic games in Sochi, she was awarded the tournament MVP.
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In addition to the Olympic Games, she represented Switzerland in 11 World Championships, and medaled (Bronze) once in 2012.
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Besides her athletic career, Florence graduated with a Master in Science in Business Administration and is currently the assistant coach of the U18 Swiss National Women’s team. ​
Didier Romain
Founder, Perfoptimum
Mental Preparation Coach
M. Didier Romain, venant du côté ouest de la France, est un Préparateur mental et coach sportif pour les sportifs et entraineurs de tout niveau. Entraineur pendant plus de 20 ans dans des disciplines aussi variées que le Volleyball, le Basketball, et Tennis ballon, il n’a eu cesse de s’intéresser aux mécanismes de la performance individuelle et collective.
Père de 3 garçons, des grands sportifs aussi, Didier est passionné par l’entrainement mental et est convaincu que c’est la préparation mentale et la gestion des émotions qui fait la différence dans le sport.
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"Le succès n'est pas final, l'échec n'est pas fatal : c'est le courage de continuer qui compte" - Winston Churchill
Lee Eldridge
Strength & Conditioning Coach
MSc, BSc, ASCC
Lee is an accredited strength and conditioning coach from the UK Strength and Conditioning Association.
He has both a BSc and MSc in Sport and Exercise Science and completed a postgraduate certificate in strength and conditioning. He has worked with a number of individual and team athletes, including a world-ranked tennis player and a top amateur golfer.
Previously, Lee has worked for Hintsa Performance and London Welsh Rugby Club as a Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach. In this role, he worked as a return to play specialist and co-delivered the strength and conditioning programme to the squad. Prior to this position, Lee worked as an Elite Strength and Conditioning Coach at both a Premiership Football Club and Rugby Club. Also, to develop his knowledge and experience, he has spent time in America at an elite performance institute.