The 2019 pre-season of coach education has well and truly concluded, with presenters taking to the park, cobwebs blown away and hundreds of coaches accredited ready for the season ahead.
“This has been the most successful pre-season in terms of coach development I think we have ever had in NSFA,” said NSFA Community Football Manager Ed Ferguson.
“Through the Club Coach Coordinator Program we have had a total of 12 clubs hosting their own coach induction and information night, or running a club-based FFA-accredited course.
“The capability shown within clubs highlights the appetite volunteers throughout NSFA have for their football and ensuring that the football experience of all involved is second-to-none.”
Ferguson launched the Club Coach Coordinator Program (CCC) in 2017, with the program hitting its stride in 2018 and now flourishing in 2019, with 22 clubs on board and creating an increase of FFA-Accredited Coach Education presenters throughout NSFA.
Lane Cove FC took their first steps in 2019 by delivering a Coach Information Workshop and announcing its four-person CCC team of Brett Jager, Jack Freckelton, Pete Crawford and Preston Shu. The evening was filled with a presentation on the ‘LCFC Way’, playing philosophy and standards, before heading out onto the field with coaches and providing an introductory coaching workshop. The evening was rounded out with a BBQ at Blackman Oval as the MAA2 team played out a trial game.
Hornsby Heights FC built on their 2018 success by not only hosting a coach induction evening, but also having CCC Troy Sheather delivering an ALDI MiniRoos Certificate course to ensure club coaches were qualified and informed before kicking off the season.
David Rosser, newly appointed Turramurra United FC CCC, joined ranks with Nick Mountford, long-time FFA presenter and Turramurra Utd volunteer, to deliver the club’s first-ever ALDI MiniRoos Certificate and introduction to the club. David and Nick had over 20 people in attendance, readying all for another growth year at the club.
Another newly appointed CCC and member club, Gordon SC kicked off their entrance to the program with a successful presentation and facilitation of the club’s football values and vision. John Tindal and his coaching team have big plans for the future!
Kissing Point FC were busy in the off season, appointing new committee members and looking forward to the 2019 season. Aron Campbell, KPFC CCC, went one step further than 2018 having joined the CCC program late. Aron delivered a Sunday morning coach workshop alongside XLR8 and NSFA Coach Developer Craig Tyrie. Aron shared the KPFC values, mission and football philosophy before handing over to Craig to provide all in attendance the key coaching behaviours required to provide players with an enjoyable, engaging and safe football experience.
Another newly-appointed CCC, Freddie Seccombe, rolled up his sleeved, delivering his first ALDI MiniRoos Certificate in front of 45 onlookers at Northbridge Oval. The Northbridge FC Football Development Manager has been working alongside Ed Ferguson to become an accredited FFA Coach Education Presenter, with the vision to provide sustainability and high quality mentoring to his Northbridge FC coaches during the season.
Luke Harris of Lindfield FC followed suit, joining Ed Ferguson to deliver his second ALDI MiniRoos Certificate in front of 40 coaches at Primula Oval. As expected by a Lindfield member, the course was well attended by a youthful crowd, with many coaches expected to join the Lindfield FC ranks as assistant coaches during the season.
North Sydney Utd FC have doubled their act in 2019, with Matt Sawers on board not only with their Premier League team but also supporting Joe Liddle in the progression and expansion of the club player and coach development. Matt was on hand, delivering a number of courses to ensure the lower north shore coaches were embraced by the coach education bug, even if his accent causes a few heads to turn!
The 2019 preseason has been capped off with some tremendous attendance records and the growth of the NSFA Coach Developer team. Steve Hurd, Daegal Richardson, Nick Marr, Josh Lazarus and Craig Tyrie have all taken positive forward steps in becoming FFA-accredited Community Coach Education Presenters, delivering as part of the annual Skill & Game Training certificates, and the NSFA Community Coach Education Expo.
The experiences didn’t stop there, with NSFA’s Super League & Diamond League coaches offered a unique insight into youth football development and the FFA playing style vision by Football NSW Technical Director Warren Grieve and Sydney FC players Chris Zuvela and Trent Buhagiar.
NSFA would like to thank all clubs for their active support, focus and investment in coach development. Better Coaches = Better football, Better Coaches = Better players.
Please keep an eye out for the in-season NSFA Coach Education calendar of workshops by heading to our Coach Education Hub or keeping up to date via INSPIRE.