Since his coaching journey began in 2004, Frank Lopez has built up a wealth of experience in youth soccer, as well as the male and female adult game.

He has spent time in London at Barnet FC academy, and at AFC Wimbledon, where has coached in the academy with the women’s first team.

Having achieved his A License in 2018, Frank recently moved from London to Brisbane for a second time. He is now the Under-23s coach at Brisbane City FC.

SCW caught up with Frank to talk about academies, how coaches can go about preparing youth team players for senior football and what the appropriate level of challenge looks like...