STRIVE 365

If you are interested in the US College Pathway, we encourage you to connect with our trusted partners Platform Sports Management. If you use this link, they will see you’re a Strive 365 listener and will take special care of you https://info.platformsportsmanagement.com/melbourne-victory-fc

Intro:

Today we welcome Amrit Rai, Founder and Managing Director of US college pathway agency, Platform Sports Management to STRIVE 365.

For over 10 years, Platform Sports have been helping student-athletes and their families navigate the journey toward U.S. college with scholarships and opportunities that go beyond the game.

With an emphasis on the role being more than business; they view it as a chance to make a difference in the lives of athletes and their families.

This is a chance to dig deeper into the nuts & bolts of what’s required to earn a scholarship at a US college, the recruitment and application process, SATs, school visits, NCAA regulations, transfers, going pro and the post graduation support that Platform Sports offer.

If you’re a prospective US college athlete or parent, this is the episode is for you!

Right, Lets Go!

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Intro:

This week I’m honoured to bring Anthony Di Pietro, more commonly known as Chairman onto the podcast.

Anthony has been a major shareholder of the Melbourne Victory Football Club since its inception in 2005 and where he served as Chairman for 12 years.

This was a special episode for me, as I got the chance to chat with someone I truly look up to, and who has so much wisdom and gravatas when it comes to leading organisations.

In this episode we look at different ways to lead, brand & image, decision making, the coach appointment process, insights around contracts and much more.

Ok, let’s go

Anthony Di Pietro Bio

Business

• Melbourne Victory Football Club (2006 – 2023)
  • Shareholder
  • Chairman (2011 – 2023)
• Board Member (2006 – 2023)
• A League Mens Champions – 2007, 2009, 2015, 2018
  • Runners Up – 2010, 2017, 2024, 2025
• A League Womens Champions – 2014, 2021, 2022
  • Runners Up – 2013, 2025
• A League Mens Premiers – 2007, 2009, 2014
• A League Womens Premiers - 2019
• FFA Cup Winners – 2015, 2021
  • Runners Up – 2024
• Coach Appointments
  • Ernie Merrick
  • Mehmet Durakovic 
  • Jim Magilton 
  • Ange Postecoglou
  • Kevin Muscat
  • Marco Kurz 
  • Grant Brebner 
  • Steve Kean 
  • Tony Popovich
• Big Name Signings
  • Gui Finkler
  • Besart Berisha
  • Carl Valeri
  • Harry Kewell
  • Fahid Ben Khalfallah
  • Mark Milligan
  • Marco Rojas
  • Keisuke Honda
  • Ola Toivonen
  • Luis Nani
• Hosted Liverpool, Manchester United, Juventus
• Started VIB, Chair of VIB committee – now Australia largest sporting business network (outside of game day), with over 100 member companies.
• Brough with women’s professional program into the club, originally with Football Victoria. 
• Academy program expansion (teams, hubs)
• Australian Professional Leagues (APL)
  • Director (2020 – 2023)
• Premier Fresh Australia (2003 – present)
  • CEO

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This week, I’m pleased to bring on one of the best thinkers, let alone coaches of youth sport that I’ve ever come across. Dave Wright.

Dave has a diverse CV, that includes being an academy football coach with professional clubs in England as well as Australia, running his own youth development business, working for the Oceania Football Confederation and consulting for HSPNZ in our HPAD space.

Every time I hear Dave speak on various podcasts I get enriched, and this episode was no different.

Lets go!

Dave Wright Bio

Player:

• Junior and Youth Football in Auckland, New Zealand 

Coach:

• United Soccer 1 (NRF) U14 Boys/National Women’s League (2007)
• Football NSW (2008-2010) 
• Maccabi FC Sydney (2009-2012)
• Academy Coach (2013 – 2019)
  • Brentford FC (various age groups)
  • Fulham FC (various age groups)
  • Football Victoria Federation U15 head coach
  • Melbourne Victory U20s
• High Performance Sport New Zealand, HPAD consultant (2019 – 2022)
  • Birkenhead United AFC Director of Coaching (2022 – present)
• Westlake Boys High School (2023 – present)
  • Frist XI Head Coach
    • Auckland Premier League Champions (2023 & 2024)
    • ISF Football Word Cup (2024)
    • NZ Secondary School National Champions (2023)

o   Oceania Football Confederation (2023 – current)

• High Performance Consultant

Coaching Qualifications:

• FA Youth Award (2015)
• UEFA A Licence (2016)
• OFC Pro Licence Candidate (2024)

Business:

o   Co Founder of Player Development Project (2014 – present)

o   Owner of two black sheep cafe 2008-2013 

o   City of Sydney Cafe of the Year (2010/2011)

o   City of Sydney Small Business of the Year (2011)

Chapters -

0.15 Gareth & Daves’ connection story

3.15 The decision to focus on coaching relatively early in life 

9.00 Business and Hospo learnings

14.00 Moving to the UK

26.45 Pulling back the curtain on the UK academy environment 

52.30 Working at HPSNZ and with HPAD guru Ken Lynch 

1.02.30 Evolution plans for Birko & Westlake Boys  

1.06.00 Player Development Project  

1.08.50 Rapid Fire Questions

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Former England international, two-time WSL champion and Melbourne Victory legend, Natasha Dowie built a remarkable career across England, Australia, the United States and Europe. A prolific goal scorer and natural leader, Natasha’s journey offers valuable insight into the standards, resilience and mindset required to consistently perform at the highest level.

OK, Lets go!

Athlete:

• Youth Career with Watford
• Fulham (2004 – 2006)
• Charlton Athletic (2006/07)
  • FA Cup runners up
• Everton (2007 - 2012)
  • League Cup Champions (2007)
  • FA Cup champions (2010)
    • Scored the winner in the 119th minute
  • Womens Champions League quarterfinals (2011)
• Liverpool (2012 – 2015 & 2023)
  • WSL Champions (2013 & 2014)
    • WSL Golden Boot (2013)
    • FA Players Player of the Year (2013)
  • All-time leading goal scorer.
• Melbourne Victory (2015 – 2020)
  • 55 games, 34 goals.
  • Premiers (2018/19)
  • ALW Golden Boot (2018/19)
  • AFC Champions League (2019)
• Doncaster Rovers (2016)
  • Left by mutual consent mid season
• Boston Breakers (2016/17)
• Linkoping, Sweden (2018)
• Valerenga, Norway (2019)
• AC Milan (2020/21)
• Reading (2021 – 2023)
• England FA
• U17, U19s, U20, U23s
  • FIFA U20 World Cup (2008, Chile)
• England Seniors
  • 14 caps, 5 goals
  • Debut at 21 years old
  • Missed selection for 2011 FIFA World Cup and 2012 London Olympics

Family:

o   Niece of former professional Iain Dowie

Business:

o   Liverpool FC Club Ambassador

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FACEBOOK: @STRIVE 365
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Give us your feedback

Support the show

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#STRIVE365

Instagram: @_strive365
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TIKTOK: @_strive365
FACEBOOK: @STRIVE 365
Twitter: @gturnbull12

From the Big Blue to the international stage — Holly Furphy is quickly becoming one of the brightest young stars in Australian football. ⚡

In this episode, we unpack Holly’s whirlwind 9 months:

• Scoring her debut goal in the A-League Women’s Big Blue
• Playing in the 2025 A-League Grand Final
• Representing Australia U23s and winning MVP at the ASEAN Women’s Championship
• We discuss the step up from train-on player to a Melbourne Victory professional
• Life at Santa Clara University in the US and why she came home
• And Growing up in a powerhouse sporting family alongside her NBA and AFL brothers

This conversation is all about growth, mindset, and what it takes to seize big moments when they come. If you want insight into the next generation of Matildas talent — Holly’s story is a must-listen.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes featuring athletes, coaches, and game changers in sport.

#HollyFurphy #MelbourneVictory #YoungMatildas #U23Matildas #FootballPodcast #AustralianFootball #ALeagueWomen #ASEANChampionship #MVP 

Ok, lets go.

If you are interested in the US College Pathway, we encourage you to connect with our trusted partners Platform Sports Management. If you use this link, they will see you’re a Strive 365 listener and will take special care of you - New Athlete Submission Page

If you enjoy the content and want to show your appreciation, you can shout me a coffee using the link below: https://buymeacoffee.com/strive365

Join our Skool Community - https://www.skool.com/strive-365-7409/about?ref=d132ef5889584de79c8cc7adeb802c5a

Give us your feedback

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#STRIVE365

Instagram: @_strive365
YouTube: @STRIVE365podcast
LinkedIn: @garethturnbullstrive365
TIKTOK: @_strive365
FACEBOOK: @STRIVE 365
Twitter: @gturnbull12

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Career coach Mark Torcaso joins us today on STRIVE 365. 

Having spent over 20 years working in the development of football within Melbourne, Mark earnt a reputation as a winner, throughout his time with powerhouse club Calder United in the NPLW.

In 2022, Mark became the inaugural head coach of new A league women’s club Western United, where he guided the team to the grand final in their first season. This earnt him a role with the Philippines WNT where for 12 months he juggled both international and professional club football.

Now focusing solely on the Philippines, Mark is striving to qualify for the 2027 FIFA women’s world cup. 

OK, Lets go!

Coach:

• Melbourne Victory – A league Women’s (2013 – 2015)
  • GK Coach
• Australian Youth National Teams
  • GK Support Coach
• Calder United – Victorian NPL (2016 – 2021)
  • Numerous local titles
• Western United – A league Women’s (2021 – 2023)
  • Inaugural head coach
  • Grand final 2021/22
  • ALW Coach of the Year 2021/22
• Philippines Women’s National Team (2023 – present)
  • 2022 Asian Games
  • 2024 Olympic qualifying
    • Vs Australia in front of 60,000 in Perth
• St Monica College – 24+ years
  • Director of Football

Education:

·       AFC Pro Licence 2024

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Twitter: @gturnbull12

Tony Readings is one of New Zealand football’s most accomplished coaches. He led the Football Ferns to multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games, achieving historic milestones — including the team’s first-ever progression past a group stage at a senior FIFA tournament. Today, he serves as the New Zealand All Whites assistant coach, helping prepare the team for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

In this episode of Strive 365, Tony shares:
🇳🇿 Insights into the NZ All whites Environment  as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

🎓 Lessons from his time as a coach educator with OFC and High Performance Sport NZ
🌍 & explains What it takes to build a high-performance environment and develop winning cultures

⚽ His journey from to coaching at the highest level
🏆 What it was like to guide the Football Ferns to World Cups, Olympics, and historic wins
🧠 Insights into player development during the critical teenage years

Whether you’re a coach, player, or football fan, this episode is full of practical wisdom about development, leadership, and what it takes to succeed on the world stage.

OK, Lets go!

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Check out Tonys book recommendation here - https://amzn.to/4prC4p7

#TonyReadings #AllWhites #FootballFerns #NZFootball #FIFAWorldCup #FootballPodcast #FIFAWorldCup2026 #SoccerPodcast #CoachDevelopment #PlayerDevelopment #OFC #HighPerformanceSport #Strive365 #FootballCoaching  #PlayerDevelopment  #CoachEducation  #HighPerformanceFootball

Give us your feedback

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#STRIVE365

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TIKTOK: @_strive365
FACEBOOK: @STRIVE 365
Twitter: @gturnbull12

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: From Auckland → Akron → MLS → Coaching!

Cameron Knowles went from Auckland junior football to captaining Akron Zips, playing in the MLS, and becoming an MLS Cup-winning coach. In this episode, we talk about his journey through the US college system, the challenges of professional soccer, and his transition into coaching with Portland Timbers and Minnesota United.

You’ll learn:
⚽ What it takes to succeed as a US college athlete
🏆 Lessons from playing & coaching in MLS
📈 How to develop players in pro environments

If you are interested in the US College Pathway, we encourage you to connect with our trusted partners Platform Sports Management. If you use this link, they will see you’re a Strive 365 listener and will take special care of you - New Athlete Submission Page

Check out this short info story on Camerons first 3 games of the MLS season - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DImcbWPAuV3/?igsh=MTV6YzlxbHJmdGNpeg%3D%3D

#CameronKnowles #USSoccer #CollegeSoccer #MLS #SoccerDevelopment

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Geni is a mum to Poppy. A 17 year old talented football player, currently with our Melbourne Victory A league women’s squad as a youth development contracted player. UPDATE - Now a professional contact in Sept 2025.

This is a great conversation about navigating the challenges of the professional level as a teenage athlete, relocating the family to access better opportunities, the challenges of balancing education and sporting commitments and much more.

Geni is a sporting parent who is finding solutions to the daily challenges of having a high-performing, talented youth athlete in the house, which we know resonates with a large part of our audience. 

There’s plenty to get out of this episode.

OK, Let's go!

If you enjoy the content and want to show your appreciation, you can shout me a coffee using the link below: 
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More great resources for sports parents here - https://amzn.to/46CrRxA

#sportingparent #parenting #youthathletesupport 

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This week's guest is Olli Harder. A football coach who by age 36 had achieved his UEFA Pro Licence, has been the head coach of West Ham Women’s in the WSL and been an assistant coach with the Norway men’s and women’s youth sides.

Now, that is an impressive CV. What is equally impressive, is that he is a Kiwi coach! 

This is a great conversation, understand what it takes to make it in the real world of HP coaching, outside of the glitz and glam of seeing the world, 

Ok, Let's go!

Coach:

• Overseas in 2008
• China
  • Club Football China Football Development Officer (2013)
• USA
  • Various roles 2010 – 2013
  • Assistant Coach Yale (2014)

o   Klepp IL Womens Coach (2016 – 2019)

o   Sandnes Ulf (2020 - 2021)

o   Mens assistant coach

• West Ham Womens (WSL) (2021 – 2022)
  • Conti Cup and FA Cup semi finalists
  • Finished 6th in 2022 (highest ever points total)
• Sporting Director & Womens head Coach at SK Brann (Norway Toppserien)
  • League & Cup winners (2022)
• FK Viking (2023 – present)
  • Mens U23 & U19 teams
• Norway U21 mens (2023)
  • Assistant Coach
• Norway U23 womens (2018 – 2013)
  • Assistant Coach 
• UEFA Pro Licence at 36 (2022)

#strive365 #vikingfk

@strive655 @nz_football @olliharder

Chapters -

0.45 Gareth & Olli’s origin story

3.30 Accumulating as many hours as possible as a coach, at home & abroad

12.00 Ensuring you create strong connections on your journey

16.00 Taking the leap of faith into the UK

24.00 The first big move into Scandinavia

31.30 Formalised coaching qualifications and the UEFA Pro Licence

43.45 Coaching West Ham Women’s in the WSL

54.50 Coaching Viking men’s professional and Norway Youth National teams

1.08.00 Rapid Fire Questions

Give us your feedback 

Support the show

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Give us your feedback

Support the show

Become a member - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2380305/support

#STRIVE365

Instagram: @_strive365
YouTube: @STRIVE365podcast
LinkedIn: @garethturnbullstrive365
TIKTOK: @_strive365
FACEBOOK: @STRIVE 365
Twitter: @gturnbull12