David da Silva is a high-performance coach, educator, and systems thinker whose work bridges martial arts pedagogy, football development, and applied learning design, with a consistent emphasis on realism, effectiveness, and performance under pressure.

David played football from the age of six to seventeen, showing early potential before becoming disenchanted with the game in his late teens. Limited quality learning experiences, excessive training loads, and an unclear player pathway to the National Soccer League (NSL) contributed to a decline in both performance and enjoyment. In 1997, he made the decision to step away from football and pursue other physical disciplines.

During this period, David immersed himself in the martial arts, undertaking intensive study in Koryū Uchinadi Kenpō-jutsu (KU) under Hanshi Patrick McCarthy between 1999 and 2005, including study undertaken at the Australian College of Natural Medicine. KU was explicitly oriented toward practical civilian self-defence rather than sport or performance karate, and functioned through small, apprenticeship-style training environments. David was awarded 3rd Degree Black Belt and the teaching title of Renshi, recognising demonstrated competence in applied understanding, teaching method, and instructional responsibility. He also attained 1st Degree Black Belt in Kobudō, reflecting integrated study of classical Okinawan weapons as extensions of body mechanics, distance management, and combative principles.

Within KU, the title Renshi denotes responsibility for the accurate transmission of method, including the ability to translate kata from mnemonic reference into functional, pressure-tested application, manage learning environments safely, and uphold a non-sport, non-performance ethos. David trained within an international KU cohort, alongside Kurt Graham (New Zealand), Ante Brännbacka (Finland), Olaf Krey (Germany), Don Oule (Canada), Conrad Lee (England), Eric Poulsen (Denmark), and Chris Mazzeli (Canada). Training centred on key KU reference kata—Naihanchi, Aragaki Seisan, Niseishi, and Nepai—with advanced understanding informed by White Crane (Hakutsuru) principles. Kata were treated strictly as conceptual frameworks, unlocked through close-range striking, clinch control, balance disruption, and resistance.

Following this period, David transitioned formally into the physical education and coaching domain, completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement Studies – Education Honours) and a Master of Sports Coaching at The University of Queensland. Seeking to reconnect theory with practice, he returned to football coaching in 2005 at Marist College Ashgrove, where his passion for the game was reignited through teaching and player development.

Between 2005 and 2016, David worked across a wide range of football environments, coaching athletes from four and five-year-old beginners to elite senior players. His roles included work within Football Queensland’s RSJPL and JPL elite junior boys programs, the Kelvin Grove State College School of Excellence (Football), St Peter’s Lutheran College football program, and the University of Queensland Football Club (UQFC). These experiences exposed him to multiple layers of the player pathway and reinforced the importance of context-sensitive development, rather than one-size-fits-all curriculum delivery.

David undertook long-term study in Modern Arnis / Kombatan (Presas lineage) under Master Kurt Graham (New Zealand) in parallel with his coaching and academic work. Modern Arnis is distinguished by its weapons-first pedagogy, treating stick, blade, and improvised tools as extensions of movement, intent, and decision-making, with seamless transition between armed and unarmed contexts. Training prioritised timing, angling, distance management, and intent over fixed technique, and relied on pressure-tested application rather than sportive exchange. In 2015/2016, David da Silva was awarded 5th Degree Black Belt in Modern Arnis Kombatan, recognising long-term commitment, applied understanding, and teaching capability within a functionally oriented framework.

Across football, martial arts, and education, David’s development has been shaped by apprenticeship-based learning, cross-disciplinary study, and sustained exposure to diverse curriculum models. These experiences have informed a clear philosophy: the success of any curriculum depends on its ability to meet the learner where they are, respect context, and produce skills that remain functional under real-world constraints. This philosophy continues to underpin David da Silva’s work in coach education, athlete development, and high-performance system design.

David obtained his Asian A class license in 2018 while working as the head coach of the Brisbane Roar, NTC program. The squad went on a 17 game winning streak and took out the Football Queensland (FQ) National Premier League Women’s (NPLW) Grand Final. Out of this squad there are now six players who have represented the Senior Matildas Squad. An incredible achievement from one squad. Later that year David was also recognised by FQ with the coach of the year award.

In 2019 David assisted the transition of the program from the Brisbane Roar to the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS). Once this transition occurred he moved back into boys youth development football at Brisbane Strikers when Covid hit and shut down the sport.

Every person has a story of Covid, most are sad and sorry tales and others have been prosperous during this world event. Personally it was a difficult time for David as his family. The metaphors of football transferred into life, and it was during this time that values and beliefs have been challenged in many ways.

2021 saw David work as a Coach Educator with Football Queensland, Mentor Coach with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), and the Head Coach of Moreton Bay United Football Program (Women’s). A coach who embraces modern coaching techniques and relates well with junior and senior players, understanding their needs and motivation.

During the 2022 season David was recruited by Matt Smith to join Brisbane City Women’s program and became the head coach of the club. The goal was clear, the club wanted to be promoted into the NPLW competition. The 2023 season saw the team win all 23 fixtures and final series. They also won the FQ champion league competition, and were dubbed the invincible’s at the end of season club event.

In 2024 the team won the double with the FQ NPLW premiership and Championship, and David was announced as the head coach of the NPLW Queensland team who beat Victoria NPLW team in penalties. David went on to be awarded the Coach of the year. After the success at Brisbane City FC it was time to seek new challenges and in 2025 David has returned to the FQ QAS program to work with some of the most talented footballers in Queensland.

"I want to ensure we are creating environments focused on developing life long learners who are fundamentally competent in basic movement patterns and physically active for as long as possible, in other words competent well rounded people who are aware that they are capable of extraordinary things".

David brings a fantastic blend of international academic knowledge with real and practical expertise, and he has created this website to promote best practices within coaching. He wants to enhance the experience of all involved. A development frame work which focuses on the individual players development requires challenging each player appropriately, engaged and enjoying the game.

"To be better than you were yesterday"