Across the Waves FC is thrilled to introduce and officially announce the appointment of our new Technical Director, Rob Custers.
Rob brings a wealth of experience, a deep passion for player development, and a vision that aligns perfectly with the future of our great club.
Born in Holland, the home of ‘Total Football’, Rob’s love for the game was in his blood from day one. After migrating to Australia at the age of five, he spent his junior years playing in Brisbane, kicking around a classic leather ball in the 80s while following the European Cups and World Cups with his family.
It was this upbringing that cemented his belief in football’s unique power to unite people – a value that sits at the very heart of our club’s history and purpose.
ATWFC President Tim Roebuck shared his excitement on Rob’s appointment.
“This is a proud moment for Across the Waves FC. Our club has a history of ambition and achievement, and the appointment of Rob and more qualified coaches in the junior space is the next chapter in that story. We are forming without question the strongest, most qualified club technical unit in Wide Bay.”
‘It demonstrates our commitment to providing the very best opportunities for young footballers, and it’s only the beginning of what’s to come as we reshape our youth development system in 2026. Rob’s appointment as Technical Director is central to this vision – his qualifications, leadership qualities, and drive to lift standards make him the right person to guide our youth program into a new era”
Rob is a familiar and respected figure in Wide Bay football. For the past decade, he has been deeply involved in developing local talent, most recently as the Junior Program Manager and a coach at the FQ Academy Wide Bay North for the last four years.
Many will also know him as the former President of Bargara FC, where he was instrumental in building that club and showed a fierce commitment to coach education, championing all coaches from U8’s up were properly accredited.
Currently holding an AFC/FA ‘C’ Diploma, Rob is currently completing his ‘B’ Diploma, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and excellence. Pending completion, Rob will become one of just two club coaches in the Wide Bay with this qualification.
When asked about his core beliefs, it’s clear Rob was destined for The Waves. His philosophy is founded on a principle we hold dear: development over winning. He believes that winning is the natural result of developing technically astute, intelligent, and well-rounded footballers.
Rob’s focus aligns perfectly with the Waves way:
- The Individual Player Comes First: His primary goal is to develop the individual, focusing on technical skill, quick decision-making, and a genuine hunger and love for the game. This mirrors our club’s core belief in developing the individual player as opposed to teams.
- Player-Led Discovery: He champions a modern coaching style where players lead the session and learn through discovery, with coaches acting as guides to help them find solutions. This directly reflects our player-centric approach that empowers decision-makers, not robots.
- A bold, club-wide football brand: Rob is a student of the Johan Cruyff “Total Football” philosophy. He loves fast, clever, attacking football and a defensive system that starts from the front. This is the perfect embodiment of our on-field identity.
Rob sees Across the Waves as the most professional club in Bundaberg, and is driven to ensure our training and development environment is second to none. His vision is clear: to establish Across the Waves as the leading club in regional Queensland, known for its professionalism and excellence on and off the field.
His immediate priorities include:
- Achieving FQ Tier 2 Academy Accreditation: Formalising our club’s commitment to best-practice standards in planning, delivery, and outcomes.
- Supporting Our Coaches: Rob’s mantra is “Better Coaches, Better Players.” He is here to support, mentor, and provide our coaches with the tools they need to succeed, aligning with our strategic goal of enhancing coach education.
- Strengthening Pathways: He is excited to work with partners like Brisbane City FC to deliver high-level opportunities and sessions for our players.
With a professional background in branding, Rob has a unique vision for cementing our identity as the region’s leading club. He is focused on strengthening the ‘Waves Way’ by elevating our professional standards and reinforcing our fantastic club culture. Please join us in welcoming him to the club when you see him around the grounds!
Welcome to la famiglia, Rob!
Keep an eye out over the coming weeks as we continue to roll out our plans for a huge 2026 season.