NORTH Geelong Warriors is proud to announce that former Socceroo Josip Skoko will lead their U13 side in the NPL Victoria Juniors' competition for the 2017 season. In a further boost for the Lara based club, current Technical Director Igor Srbinovski has signed on for a further year and will continue as head of the club's youth system in the NPL Victoria competition.

Skoko (pictured) came through the youth system at North Geelong and progressed through to the senior team, which was in the Victorian Premier League at the time. From there, Skoko went on to have a glittering career in Europe, playing for Hajduk Split, Genk, Gençlerbirliği, Wigan Athletic, Stoke City and Melbourne Heart.

Skoko was a Socceroo for 11 years, making 51 appearances and scoring 9 goals, including his iconic volley which hit the top-corner in front of 95,000 in a friendly against Greece at the MCG.

Playing the assistant's role will be Kris Borovac, who joined North Geelong's coaching staff from the Elcho Park Cardinals this year and was the Assistant Coach at the U15s team..

CURRENT Technical Director Igor Srbinovski has signed on for a further year and will continue as head of the youth system in the NPL Victoria. Igor will also be taking the U15s NPL head coaching role. Igor has seamlessly eased into the TD role, projecting all the qualities the North Geelong Warriors culture seeks to promote and more. Holding a head youth coaching role will also assist in his development.

Igor will be assisted by Bradley Ower. The highly regarded Ower, who is also a high ranking locally based referee and Reserves' coach at Geelong Grammar will be completing his B Coaching Licence this year and will work alongside the Warriors' TD, gaining valuable experience and insights in the role.

The U14s NPL coach will be Rick Noggler in 2017. Rick spent season 2016 assistant Josip Skoko in his role and gained knowledge and experience. Rick will now be entrusted with a head coaching role and the Club is certain he will excel in the role.

MICK Švaljek, meanwhile, has been re-appointed the U20 head coach for the 2017 NPL Victoria season.

After a successful year in the NPL2 West U20s, where North Geelong finished in third place, Mick is looking forward to the challenge of NPL1 U20s next season. The ever-passionate Mick is also in the process of acquiring his B licence next year.

Assisting Mick in his role will be Ahmad Sulaimi. Ahmad spent the 2016 season assisting Mick with the U20 side while also managing the U18 side. Ahmad will concentrate solely on his role with the U20 side in 2017 and we look forward to the positive benefits the continuation of the exciting and synergistic duo of Mick and Ahmad will provide.

KIERAN Robinson will lead the U16 NPL side in 2017, while Josip Žilić will lead the U18 side, assisted by last season's U15s Head Coach Rad Prusac.

Kieran Robinson played semi-professional football in the UK for ten years. Since retiring from the game in a playing capacity, Robinson's passion for the sport turned to coaching and development. He held a role with the Fulledge Colts Youth Football Club, a feeder for the professional leagues. Robinson has coached in the NPL system since arriving to Australia.

Žilić is a well-known figure around Elcho Park, having held administrative roles with the club for an extended period of time before in recent years focusing his energy on improving our youth system. Josip spent time as North Geelong technical director in 2015 before assisting the U16 NPL side towards the back end of 2016, after recovering from health issues. Ready to immerse himself into a head youth coaching role, Josip is a massive asset for the club and we are very blessed to have him.

Žilić will be assisted by Rad Prusac, a current C licensed coach moving up in the Warriors' youth set up to help further his development. The Warriors are certain working under Josip will provide Rad with many opportunities to learn and grow.