St Mary’s University Performance Coaching Conference – in partnership with Kognia

St Mary’s University is proud to present the Performance Coaching Conference, delivered in partnership with Kognia, bringing together innovative thinking, applied research and real-world practice. The online conference offers a unique opportunity to explore how modern coaching, performance analysis and intelligent recruitment are shaping the future of high-performance environments.

Designed for coaching professionals, current students and prospective postgraduate applicants, the event will bridge the gap between theory and practice through expert-led sessions, applied case studies and meaningful discussion. Attendees will gain insight into contemporary coaching processes, data-informed decision-making and the use of technology to enhance athlete development, team performance and recruitment strategy.

With Kognia’s expertise in performance analytics and talent identification combined with St Mary’s University’s strong academic and practitioner base, the conference creates an ideal space for learning, networking and professional growth. Whether you are currently working in the field, developing your coaching identity, or considering further study, this event will challenge your thinking and support your progression in elite sport performance.

Speaker bio's

 

 

James Barber, Chief Revenue Officer at Kognia

James Barber is the Chief Revenue Officer at Kognia, where he leads global commercial strategy and drives growth across football markets worldwide. With a strong background in sports technology and data driven innovation, James works closely with elite clubs, academies and federations to embed AI powered tactical insights into performance analysis, recruitment and player development workflows.

Session title: Building England’s World Cup Centre Back Partnership

Session overview

Selecting a centre back pairing for a World Cup is not simply about choosing the two strongest individual defenders. Success depends on identifying a partnership whose tactical profiles, behaviours and decision-making complement one another against the specific demands of tournament football.

This session explores how advanced tactical data and computer vision can be applied to benchmark centre back candidates, assess compatibility between pairings and model how different combinations perform within varied playing styles. Using Kognia’s AI powered tactical dataset, the speakers demonstrate how data informed insight can enhance traditional scouting and coaching judgement to support high stakes international selection decisions.

 

 

Esther Wills, FAW Head of Performance Analysis and Football Insights 

Esther Wills is the Head of Performance Analysis and Football Insights at the Football Association of Wales and has worked within the organisation since 2008. She served as lead analyst for the Cymru men’s national team for an eight-year period, including the campaign leading into UEFA Euro 2016, contributing to the delivery of analysis at the highest level of international football.

Alongside her work with the FAW, Esther has previously led her own performance analysis consultancy and worked within the Centre for Performance Analysis at UWIC, supporting a broad range of organisations across sport and broadcast. This includes work with the FA Premier League PGMOL, Welsh Rugby Union, Hockey Wales, the International Rugby Board, Glamorgan County Cricket Club, and broadcasters BBC and S4C. She holds a BSc in Physiology and an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science. At this conference, Esther will present on The Performance Practitioner, focusing on the development of effective performance practitioners and the skills required to thrive within high performance environments.

Session title: The Performance Practitioner

Session overview

Focusing on the development of effective performance practitioners and the skills required to thrive within high performance environments. Her session explores how analysts can move beyond technical competence to become trusted contributors within multidisciplinary teams, highlighting the importance of critical thinking, contextual understanding, communication and influence. Drawing on her experience across international football and multiple sports, Esther provides insight into how practitioners are identified, supported and challenged, and how learning environments can be deliberately shaped to prepare analysts for the demands, pressures and decision-making realities of elite sport.

 

 

Darren Warner, Senior Lecturer in Skill Acquisition 

Darren Warner is a Senior Lecturer in Skill Acquisition at St Mary’s University and a specialist in athlete centred coaching with over 20 years of elite high-performance experience. Formerly a National Governing Body CEO and high-performance Judo Coach with Team GB and Team Wales, he contributed to Olympic medal success at London 2012 and the development of world class athletes and coaches. His work bridges evidence-based learning with the practical leadership and decision-making demands of elite sport.

Session title: Leading an Interdisciplinary Team

Session overview

This session explores how transformational and authentic leadership can be applied within interdisciplinary performance teams. It focuses on developing leadership capability in others, using adaptable leadership styles, effective decision making and strategic thinking to meet the demands of high-performance environments.

Drawing on applied experience, the session highlights how culture driven leadership supports alignment, accountability and trust across disciplines, helping teams and individuals perform consistently under pressure.

 

 

Carys Dalton (Head of Player Care at Chelsea FC)

Session title: The role of holistic player development

Session overview

Player care is a relatively unknown part of the wider multidisciplinary team and in this interview, Carys will be providing insight into her own role and that of those working in player care.

This session will provide those working with athletes, the chance to understand what professionals in this space are doing, whilst also offering practical insight into what support is and can be offered to athletes.

 

 

Paul Ford (Senior Lecturer in Performance Football Coaching)

Session title:  Skill Acquisition and Coaching: Coach-led Practice Design for Expert Adolescent and Adult Players

Session overview

Dr Paul R. Ford is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Sport, Exercise and Applied Science at St Mary’s University. He is an active researcher, consultant and educator in skill acquisition, soccer science and performance coaching. He has worked with several professional football and wider sports organisations.

 

 

Dan Walder (Methodology Manager at QPR FC)

Session title:  Developing an Elite Performance Environment through Coach Development

Session overview

Dan will be sharing insight into his role and offering applied examples of how he and his team of coaches at Queens Park Rangers are delivering cutting edge analysis, coach development and insight to inform their strategy.