Our Coaches

Our family of coaches

Marty Rodwell
Director of Football & U15s NRFL Team

Qualifications: OFC/NZF B License, Bachelor in Sports & Exercise.

Age Group Coaching: Director of Football & Men's First Team Head Coach

Marty joined us from Manurewa where he has spent 3 years as their head coach gaining promotion into 1st Division. He currently teaches sports at schools and for the last few years he has coached National Youth league teams for both Auckland Football and Waitakere. Marty has a passion for developing Junior & Youth football and 6 years ago he started the SAE Football Academy which now has 150 members with two of them currently in the U20 NZ national training squad. Marty’s primary role for Fencibles will be on the field setting the coaching standards, coaching our players and coaching our coaches. Marty is an avid Liverpool fan (he did not tell us that when he applied!) and outside of the game he is busy with his family including his four children.

Darryl Hamilton
Football Development Manager & U14s NRFL Boys & U1

Qualifications: OFC/NZF C License 

Age Group Coaching: TDP/NRFL Coach & Academy Coach

Darryl started at Fencibles as a player back in 2003. He started coaching his daughters team 2014 when she was in 8th Grade, before coaching his sons the following season, who he has been coaching ever since. Darryl has had great success with what is now our 12th Grade Development+ squad, which have been performing at a high standard year after year. This season Darryl was appointed our player development manager and has worked on not only our players development but the overall growth of the club. Last season Darryl has coached the 7th Grade Rep team, U13s NRFL Team wo finished 2nd in the league amnd the U14s NRFL girls & Under 16s NRFL Girls teams- both girls team won their leagues.

Mikey Poulopoulos (Mikey P)
First Team Assistant Coach & U17s NRFL Team

Qualifications: OFC/NZF C License & First Aid Level 1

Age Group Coaching: TDP/NRFL U17 Grade and Academy Coach

Mikey brings with him a passion and attitude like no other. Mikey is enthusiastic and has a real love for the game - something which is clearly evident in his sessions with the players. He has experience playing for Sacred Heart 1st XI as a player, and then as coaches at Coerver Academy and Papakura FC. Mikey has a great knowledge on building skill and technical ability in his players. He sees his players not just as athletes, but also as developing young people, and is intent on improving their ability to tackle life both on and off the pitch.

Sam Jones
Academy Coach

Qualifications: OFC/NZF C License

As one of our younger player-coaches, Sam came to Fencibles in 2017 following an upbringing at rival club Onehunga Sports. Sam made the move to Fencibles to play Senior level football, and quickly became a regular starter in our Senior Mens First Team. Sam is working hard to balance his commitments as a player, coach, whilst studing his Masters in Architecture at the University of Auckland. He is determined to contribute to the development of our junior and youth players. Sam is regularly involved in the Development Plus sessions, Summer Academy and Holiday Programmes. 

Sam Lonergan
Academy Coach

Qualifications: OFC/NZF C License

Sam came to Fencibles as a player in 2020 after a number of succesful seasons at rival club Onehunga Sports where he also played representative football for Auckland at U15 and U16 age groups. Sam is also a former member of the St Kents 1st eleven. He is now pushing for selection in our mens Senior First team after impressive performances in our Senior Mens Reserve team (U23) and U20 summer programme. Sam is working hard to balance his commitments as a player, coach, whilst studing at University for a degree. He is regularly involved in the Development Plus sessions, summer Academy and Holiday Programmes always keen to share his passion for the game with the next generation of Fencibles players.