Profile: Jimmy van Weeren - Manly United Football Club

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POPULAR Manly United youth coach Jimmy van Weeren has resigned from his post, taking up a position with Sydney FC. He will work with Kelly Cross in a full-time capacity, running an Academy out of Endeavour Sports High in Sydney’s south. The 27-year-old has been coaching at Cromer Park for five years, and couldn’t thank Technical Director Craig Midgley enough for his guidance. “He has given me opportunities I will be forever thankful for,” van Weeren said. “I have been like a sponge, just absorbing what he has to say. “Midge’s support has been amazing.” Working with an A-League club is also something van Weeren is buzzing about. “At my age, I am no rush to coach senior football,” he said. “It is all about the journey, and learning as I go. “Manly United has been such a fantastic club to work for, to mould some of our future stars has been very satisfying.” The Sky Blues Academy is a new project, taking over from the old NSWIS model. Along with the Western Sydney Wanderers, the aim is to nurture teenage players quicker by playing them in the second tier PS4 NPL NSW Men’s competition come 2016. Van Weeren’s replacement is equally impressive. Former Manly United first grader Chris Gallo has made a successful transition to coaching, recently working with Academies in the United Kingdom at Notts County, York City and Hull City. He already has a UEFA B License and can’t wait to work alongside Midgley. “My primary focus is developing emerging talent,” he said. “When the club approached me I was always going to say yes, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.” Gallo starts work on October 1.