As with the many young children currently pursuing their dreams of playing football professionally, I was once no different, embracing the opportunities I was given by my parents to play football in Australia at levels spanning grassroots through to state representative level. Highlights of my playing career include captaining various teams in the NSW National Premier Leagues, captaining the 1st XI Trinity Grammar School team, captaining and winning the Bill Turner Cup with Trinity Grammar School and training alongside Spanish La Liga players in Serbia in the European winter months. I truly cherished every bit of my time on the field.

Unfortunately, four knee surgeries later amongst multiple other injuries, I came to the harsh realisation that this dream was not to be. However, I truly believe that the life skills I obtained in my pursuit of this dream have served me far better than any professional contract could ever have, leading me to my next chapter in the beautiful game on the other side of the white line as a football coach. With that, I would like to welcome LIFE THROUGH FOOTBALL ACADEMY (“LTFA”) to you – a football academy in which I aim to transfer these life skills over to the young children to whom I, alongside the LTFA coaches who share the same outlook, are lucky enough to guide.

In my view, football replicates life itself. It teaches us qualities about ourselves in a truly unique way, a way that life itself would not have otherwise been able to teach. Football continues to bring out the best in me and I hope to pass on this lens to the people that I am lucky enough to guide, such that they too can reap the benefits that this beautiful sport has to offer both on and off the field.

I look forward to connecting with you as LTFA aims to shape the future generation of Australians playing the beautiful game, one young person at a time.

I have been playing football since I was 6 years old. I've always been very enthusiastic about the game. I was part of the Manchester United Soccer Schools in Dubai at the age of 10. From there I joined one of the top teams in the United Arab Emirates. Competing at a very high level under world class, inspiring coaches, I learnt so much not only about football, but about discipline, attitude and so much more. That's something I would love to pass on to the next generation through football. My passion for football grows by the day. It requires many sacrifices and hard work. I learn something new everyday about the game as a player and as a young coach. I'm always willing to go the extra mile to achieve my dream, which is becoming a professional and turning my passion for football into a career.

My name is Dean Petranker and for the past 14 years football has been my life. I started off playing at Connells Point Rovers FC until the age of 9 years old. I was then scouted by St George FC where I played in the SAP Program (Skill Acquisition Program). I had 4 years of successful youth football at St George FC. Following this, my men’s football career began at Sydney Olympic FC where I now play in the U18 and U20s. This year I’m in the U20 squad for the B-League team and I’m constantly pushing myself to play in the first grade team.

Football is my life and all I’ve ever known. Understanding the importance of sacrifice, while my friends are out, I’m always training to be better, with my love and passion for football always having been number 1.

I would love to pass on what I have learnt and my extensive knowledge on what it takes to play high level football. Beyond that, if you’re looking to improve or to play for fun, I appreciate all aspects. Coaching has always been a passion to me, with teaching and helping someone else improve being the most fulfilling aspect for me. I want the kids I coach to not only have fun but also learn something new each session and get closer to their goals, whether that is taking football serious and trying to make a representative team or just simply to improve so they can have fun with their friends.

I have been playing football since I was walking. Football has been a part of all aspects of my life through playing on the field and becoming a football pundit with my family and mates. I have played at all levels of NPL and AYL football with a variety of clubs with many successful tenures coupled with the lows of playing at a high level of football. This has allowed me to become very persistent, resilient and disciplined with everything inside and outside of football.

I pursue coaching as I look to pass on my knowledge and skills that I have acquired onto others, helping the younger generation to enjoy learning the fundamentals of football while growing in confidence along the way. With the children that I coach, I hope to ensure not only that they learn new skills and aspects of the game, but also enjoy playing football as it is a reminder why we all started playing the beautiful game. Whether they wish to play at a representative level or learn the basic skills so they can have fun with their mates at the park, I aim to accommodate my coaching style to all types of players