PERFORMANCE STAFF
Talent Development Programme (U17/19)
-
Luís Mendonça
Men’s Co-Lead Coach (South)
About - As a PE teacher and futsal coach, I'm passionate about developing young players. Futsal has shaped my life and I'm excited to help grow the game with England Futsal and shape the next generation.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - To create a positive and high expectation environment where young players feel confident to learn, take risks, and grow.
Desert Island Discs - Redemption Song, Bob Marley and the Wailers;
Brother, Matt Corby;
Jungle, Tash Sultana.
Best Sporting Memory - I always feel nostalgic going back to the memories of the 2017/2018 NFL season and how wonderful it was to spend time with an absolutely legendary group of players/people at Cambridge.
-
Junior Roberti
Men’s Lead Coach (North)
About - I am passionate about developing players, and I am excited because this role is focused on that.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - Commitment to the process with a focus on game specialization, while respecting each player's individuality and supporting them through their development journey.
Desert Island Discs - Any Brazilian Samba songs.
Best Sporting Memory - My first international contract to play abroad was a good moment but seeing the faces of people (especially kids) after a session or game, showing their passion for the sport we help them access, is the highlight for me.
-
Sam Masterson
Women’s Lead Coach (South)
About - I coach futsal full-time for Bloomsbury, working across the adults and youth game in both the male and female environments. I’ve worked in this specific age group for the last 2 years and have seen the incredible quality coming through across so many different clubs. I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to help the players selected in the next steps of their journey, and to play my part in the development of the future of the game in England.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - I believe my best quality when working with young players is the way in which I create an energetic and enjoyable environment that players look forward to coming to whilst still being as productive as possible for learning.
Desert Island Discs - Don't Forget Your Roots - Six60;
Runnin’ - David Dallas;
Viva La Vida - Coldplay.
Best Sporting Memory - My best memory in futsal would be winning the 2025 NFS WSS Grand Final with the Bloomsbury Womens’ Team. The resilience and togetherness that the players’ showed along the way to win the both regular season and play-off final capped off one of the most enjoyable seasons that I've ever been apart of.
-
Joe Ryan
Women’s Lead Coach (North)
About - I’m looking forward to supporting the expanded pathway and developing future Lionnesses!
Best Quality Working with Young Players - Enthusiasm!
Desert Island Discs - Slide Away, Oasis;
Bug, Fontaines DC;
Mersey Paradise, Stone Roses.
Best Sporting Memory - Winning the Grand Final with Bolton in the summer!
-
Mark Dick
Men’s Assistant Coach (North)
About - I’m excited to work as a team of coaches and staff to help provide the opportunity for players to showcase their current abilities and help develop their talents to progress furthers, helping players to have a positive impact on England Futsal at international level.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - Getting to know the players and focusing on their strengths of what they can bring to the group.
Desert Island Discs - George Harrison, Here Comes the Sun;
Oasis, Masterplan;
Sam Fender, People Watching.
Best Sporting Memory - Can’t think of one specific occasion, but when reflecting back on my career as a coach its helping players achieve their goals by providing memorable opportunities and seeing their development and belief grow in themselves.
-
Will Wilson
Women’s Assistant Coach (South)
About - Currently head coach of Southampton Aztecs men's and women's senior teams. I'm really excited to begin this role with England Futsal to help develop the players of the future.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - I have a lot of patience, and I am very calm. Players need to learn from making mistakes, and it is important to create an environment where they can do this.
Desert Island Discs - Highway to Hell, AC/DC;
Walk This Way, Aerosmith;
War Pigs, Black Sabbath.
Best Sporting Memory - Southampton Aztecs women's pre-season tour in August 2024, when we played games in Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco.
-
Emma Dennis
Women’s Assistant Coach (South)
About - I have coached Futsal for several years and I am excited to support future England Futsal players.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - My best coaching quality is being able to connect and challenge players.
Desert Island Discs - Nothing Else Matters, Metallica;
Candy, Cameo;
Rehab, Blair Muir.
Best Sporting Memory - Holding the Olympic torch.
-
Mark Simmons
Men’s Co-Lead Coach (South)
About - I played in England’s first-ever international futsal fixture at the KL World Cup—and I’ve loved the game ever since. From being part of the U19s selection process ahead of the UEFA qualifiers in Croatia, to watching players grow over 18 months and perform on the national stage, it’s been a journey of pride and purpose. After Covid, I travelled across the South delivering CPD events and coaching qualifications (Futsal Levels 1, 2, and now the National Futsal Course), always driven by a passion to share the game and help it grow.
As Head of Football at an independent school and former Director of Sport, I’ve helped embed futsal into the school system—supporting staff, building CPD pathways, and creating school-focused resources. The base of players is expanding, and there’s never been a better time for futsal in England.
I’m excited to get started with this talented group as we build towards the UEFA competitions. We’ve got creative, experienced coaches and ambitious young players in a brilliant environment for development. The futsal bus is moving—get on it, or be left behind!”
Best Quality Working with Young Players - My strength is working with individuals to bring the best out of them within the team. I’m focused on recognising players’ strengths, identifying their needs, and supporting them on their personal journey. Growth isn’t always linear—I understand what it takes to guide progress with patience, structure, and belief.
Desert Island Discs - Club Tropicana – Wham!
How to Save a Life – The Fray
Sky full of stars - Cold Play
Best Sporting Memory - Winning the HUDL League—the national Independent Schools football league—with a multi-national team featuring players from UK, Poland, Belarus, Hong Kong, China, and Japan. We went unbeaten across the season, travelling the country and finding different ways to win each time. The detail, the camaraderie, and the collective effort from players and staff made it unforgettable. It was a true showcase of unity, resilience, and belief.
Talent Development Support Staff
-
Isaac Thurston
Strength & Conditioning Lead
About - I am passionate about helping the next generation of Futsal Athletes. I have worked with countless professionals helping to take their game up a level and I am excited to now do the same with England Futsal.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - My ability to adapt, be patient and let them express themselves physically.
Desert Island Discs - La Noche De Anoche, Bad Bunny;
Headlines, Drake;
Patience, Take That.
Best Sporting Memory - A player I have worked with making his Premier League debut for Manchester United.
-
Mark Peplow
Wellbeing Advisor
About - Supporting athletes to reach their full potential on and off the pitch is something I’m proud to be passionate about. I offer holistic workshops, 1:1’s and opportunities to athletes in order to foster their lifestyle and well-being as athletes, and as people.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - I believe my ability to relate to their challenges as young people trying to develop through sport supports me to develop trusting relationships and create a comforting environment.
Desert Island Discs - Easy.
Dakota, Stereophonics;
The Borders, Sam Fender;
Bat Out Of Hell, Meatloaf.
Best Sporting Memory - My best memory working in sport has to be being on pitch-side operations when my local club Newport County went toe-to-toe with Manchester City.
-
David Dixon
Nutrition Advisor
About - I have been in and around futsal since 2006 and have worked with various individuals to help them achieve their goals at national and International levels.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - The vast amount of experience working within professional sport and how to relate to the young athlete with various commitments, and challenges.
-
Brogan Lawrie
Injury Prevention Lead
About - MSK physio specialising in sport - joined England Futsal in 2024 with the senior men’s squad on their Euros campaign & looking forward to the next cycle.
Best Quality Working with Young Players - Completed part of my dissertation on youth athletes and reducing ACL injuries.
Desert Island Discs - I love disco so: chic, Le freak;
September, Earth Wind & Fire;
I want your love - Chic.
Best Sporting Memory - My first futsal game with England in Bosnia .

