Danny Kane
OFC/NZF B Licensed Football Coach based in Christchurch, New Zealand specialising in 1:1 and group coaching for players of all ages.
My journey so far..
Football has given me opportunities that I could only have dreamed of growing up in Ireland, and it’s those experiences that now shape the way I coach.
My professional playing career has taken me through clubs including Huddersfield Town, Cork City, AFC Fylde, and Sligo Rovers, where I developed an understanding of what it takes to perform at the highest level. As a defender, I learned the importance of discipline, professionalism, and attention to detail—qualities that I now aim to pass on to every player I work with.
Internationally, I was fortunate enough to represent the Republic of Ireland at every age group from Under-15 through to Under-21, including appearances at the UEFA European Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 Championships. In 2014, I was fortunate enough to receive the FAI Under-17 International Player of the Year award.
Today, I play for Cashmere Technical in New Zealand while dedicating my time to helping players develop both on and off the pitch. My experiences across English, Ireland, and New Zealand have given me a broad perspective on player development and what it takes to reach the next level.
My goal is simple: to help every player become the best version of themselves by sharing the knowledge, standards, and experiences I’ve gained throughout my career.
Danny in action against Martin Ødegaard (L) for Rep. of Ireland U21 vs. Norway U21.
Coaching
Coaching has always been about more than improving players’ football ability. My goal is to create an environment where every player can enjoy the game, build confidence, and develop the habits that will help them succeed both on and off the pitch.
Throughout my playing career, I had the privilege of working under some outstanding coaches and mentors who played a huge role in shaping me, not only as a player but also as a coach. Their influence sparked my passion for coaching and inspired the journey I’m on today.
Since moving to New Zealand, I’ve had the opportunity to coach the Cashmere Technical U14 and U17 Academy teams, working with some of Canterbury’s most talented young players. I’m now the Director of Football at Waimak United FC, where I have the privilege of leading player and coach development across the club. It’s a role I’m incredibly passionate about, allowing me to make a meaningful impact on the growth of players, coaches, and football within our community.
Alongside my club commitments, I created DK Football to provide players with additional opportunities to develop outside their regular team environment. One of the biggest things I noticed after moving from Ireland to New Zealand was how little “street football” is played, meaning players often rely solely on team trainings within their clubs, which is not always enough to reach their full potential.
While organised team training is incredibly important, for many players it simply isn’t enough on its own. In a typical team session, players often spend more time listening, waiting, or working within the team than they do getting meaningful repetitions on the ball. DK Football was created to bridge that gap, giving players more touches, more individual coaching, and more opportunities to accelerate their development.
Through one-to-one sessions and small group training, I work with players who want to improve their technical ability, confidence, decision-making, and overall understanding of the game. Every session is purposefully designed to challenge players and help them improve every aspect of their game.
I’m committed to continually improving as a coach. I hold an OFC/NZF B Licence as well as a UEFA C Licence, and I’m currently completing my OFC/NZF A Licence.
Above all, my goal is for every player to leave each session having developed their technical ability, grown in confidence, worked hard, and, most importantly, enjoyed the process.
“One of the things that really stands out about Danny is not just his coaching expertise but also the kind of person he is - professional, approachable, and genuinely invested in helping his players succeed.”
UEFA® C Licensed Coach
OFC/NZF® B Licensed Coach
FA® Licensed Coach (Level 2)
First Aid Trained