Our COACHING TEAM
Who We Are
ADAM THURSTON
- DIRECTOR
NZF Junior Level 3
FA Level 2
NZF/OFC b LICENSE COACH
Spending his youth in the Manchester United Academy from age 8-16. Adam completed his Scholarship at Preston North End before going on to play in the Conference Premier. He has also played in America before coming to New Zealand. Adam's vision for The Pro Project is to give young players a positive experience through playing football, to push the player to reach their full potential. Player care is at the top of his list - 'coach the person first, the player second.'
027 555 4606
DYLAN CONNOLLY
- ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT COACH
The Pro Project Athlete Development Coach's focus is to improve the athletic ability of young footballers.
Dylan has gained a great understanding of athletic development through both his career as a physiotherapist but also his playing career as a footballer. This is vital on the journey to becoming a better player and will give our athletes the edge when it comes to their club/school football. This will involve individualised assesment and planning around each players weaknesses and appropriate programming to improve on these aspects of their game, through strength and conditioning, speed and resistant work.
The game of football is evolving and every player wants to be faster and stronger, these sessions will give our athletes the chance to do so. This will be rolled out in our Advanced Player Programme 1-1 sessions to supplement out football coaching.
The Pro Project are delighted to have Dylan in board. He brings great expertise in this area and we look forward to introducing the speed/strength element alongside our football coaching.
john
freeman
- COACH
UEFA B LICENSE
John has a wealth of experience in professional football, not only playing but coaching as well.
John started his journey at MK Dons Academy in England from the age of 8 which later led him to signing as a professional footballer at 18 years old. He made appearances across all competitions playing against the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Fulham and academy sides such as Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Leaving the club a few years later John continued his playing career whilst also completing his UEFA B License and has been coaching MK Dons Academy for the last two seasons with a highlight being his academy squad beating Chelsea this season!
John is a very positive coach who is obsessed with developing young people through building relationships and creating an enjoyable but challenging environment
FRANCO
D'ORTENZIO
- COACH
NZF JUNIOR LEVEL 1
COACHING AWARD
Young and enthusiastic, Franco is starting to make his mark on football and has an early passion for coaching.
Franco has coached several teams through school level and recently won Coach of the year award at Selwyn College. Having played at Eastern Suburbs all his life, he is focusing on his own playing whilst also helping young football players on their own journey.
Franco vales great people as well as great players, putting emphasis on positive attitude and work ethic.
Franco is super excited to be working as part of The Pro Project team and will make sure that at the end of the day, players love playing football.
The Pro Project welcome Franco on board, a young passionate Coach and another great person to add to our team. Franco will be coaching our Promising Player Programme and our private sessions for 5-9 year olds.
NOAH
BILLINGSLEY
- COACH
In 2023, Noah coached the U12 Auckland United Academy Boys team. He also has international coaching experience, having coached in the USA.
A student athlete from the University of Santa Barbra, Noah has playing experience in the MLS, as well as experience with the All Whites and New Zealand age group teams.
He now plays for ESAFC as a defender. Once a striker, Noah loves both sides of the game, but highly values the defensive side of the game.
Now turning his attention to coaching, Noah thoroughly enjoys helping young players develop and grow both on and off the field.
BILLY
JONES
- COACH
Billy has coached Junior football in New Zealand, America and UK before returning to New Zealand this year to play for East Coast Bays.
Billy was a New Zealand representative at U17 and U23 age groups as well as having experience at College level in America.
Billy focuses on the details of skill development while working to create a positive environment for the players. He emphasises the importance of enjoying hard work and working on your craft on the football pitch.
Billy is delighted to be joining The Pro Project and is looking forward to working with the talented young players.
ELI
JONES
- COACH
Eli is a young enthusiastic Goalkeeper Coach who has built some strong relationships with our current The Pro Project Goalkeepers.
As well as Eli's passion for helping others, he is also signed up with the professional side Auckland FC Reserves as a Goalkeeper!
Eli’s ambition fuels his desire to keep improving, both as a player and a mentor for our young athletes to help them reach their full potential.
JACK
BUTTERFILL
- COACH
FA LEVEL 2
Jack played football in the UK in a professional setting since the age of 13. He started at Leicester City Football Club in the youth academy from age 13 to 18 before going on to play professionally for Barnsley FC, playing predominantly in the number 9 position.
Whilst at Leicester in 2021, Jack achieved his football coaching and referring badges as well as his Level 2 football coaching certificate.
Jack utilises his experience and insight, as an attacking player, when coaching others to develop great decision making through game awareness and composure.
Jack is looking forward to helping young players develop and progress as people and footballers.
BRAIDON
FLETCHER
- COACH
NZF / OFC C LICENCE
NZF JUNIOR LEVEL 3
With over six years of coaching experience, Braidon holds New Zealand Football’s highest junior coaching qualification, the Junior Level 3 Licence as well as his NZFOFC C Licence.
Braidon has led Academy Plus programs at West Coast Rangers in both the 12th grade and 10th grade space and currently serves as an assistant coach for the men’s first team.
Braidon brings valuable international experience from playing and coaching in the United States and is a L4 qualified strength and conditioning coach.
With a strong belief in holistic player development, he is committed to equipping driven young footballers with the technical and physical tools required to progress in their football journey.
At The Pro Project, he will be working with players across all age groups, focusing on both their technical and physical development, mainly at Fred Taylor Park through our partner club West Coast Rangers!
bailey
gaughan
- COACH
NZF / OFC B LICENCE (in process)
NZF JUNIOR LEVEL 3
NZ CERTIFICATE IN EXERCISE LEVEL 5
Bailey is the Academy Director and a Premier Men’s Player at West Coast Rangers FC. He previously played first team football at Auckland United, where he was also a Lead Academy Coach for more than three years. Bailey has been on many international football tours, and has experienced foreign professional environments as a youth player, and more recently as a coach.
Bailey is passionate about developing the next generation of ambitious players; helping them build confidence in their play, and improving their habits and mentality, that will allow them to thrive on and off the field. He is excited to coach in smaller groups and 1:1 settings with The Pro Project, where he can place more attention and focus on each individual’s specific development needs.
JACKSON
WEST
- COACH
NZF youth level 2
NZF JUNIOR LEVEL 3
Jackson has spent the past five years coaching in both community and talent pathways, working with junior and youth players. His experience spans individual and team-based programs, providing him with a broad range of coaching knowledge, skills, and practical experience.
As a player, Jackson currently represents Northland FC 1st Team and has previously played for Northern Rovers 1st Team. He has also achieved representative honors with New Zealand Māori at U17, U20, and Senior Men’s levels, including two international tours to Australia and Hawaii. Throughout his playing career, Jackson has worked with numerous highly qualified and experienced coaches, further enhancing his understanding of player development and the player-coach relationship.
Jackson is passionate about supporting the next generation of Northland players in achieving their football aspirations, whatever they may be. He believes that a positive holistic and supportive training approach will maximise opportunities for players and looks forward to Pro-project supporting player development.
TJ
ANDERSON
- COACH
TJ is a technical midfielder from the United States. She started her college career in the ACC with University of Louisville (2017) before transferring to the University of Richmond, where she became an important starter, captained the team in 2021 and helped the Spiders reach the Atlantic – 10 playoffs.
After college, TJ moved to Europe spending a season with Lefkothea FC in Cyprus’ First Division and then joining Athlone Town AFC in Ireland. With Athlone, she contributed to their 2024 League of Ireland title, earning a place in the upcoming UEFA Women’s Champion League.
TJ joined Eastern Suburbs AFC in Auckland for the remainder of the 2025 season and is looking to help the team push for a spot in the season’s National League.
TJ is excited to be joining the pro project team and is particularly looking forward to sharing her experience and knowledge with young female players in NZ.
