On Sunday afternoon our XLR8 Player Development management team held their 2019 winter season coach induction, gathering the coaching team to discuss the vision, philosophy and purpose behind the NSFA’s player development provider.
With over 50 coaches, XLR8 has expanded its reach in 2019 to include 12 NSFA partner clubs as well as expanding its association-wide program offerings. This growth follows a successful inaugural season in 2018, servicing eight NSFA clubs and launching various new programs throughout the NSFA region. During the off-season a strong focus was placed on developing better resources, coaches and the culture within XLR8, which was presented to the newly expanded coaching team.
Ed Ferguson, Community Football Manager, outlined the purpose of XLR8, sharing the vision of XLR8 and outlining the impacts the various programs are already having on the NSFA community.
In late 2018 our coaches were asked to define why they work with XLR8, with the findings presented and new coaches taking the lead on some of the benefits that XLR8 affords its coaches compared to competitors and other coaching roles. Many discussion points came up, with with multiple coaches sharing their stories of how XLR8 provided a pathway and the confidence to challenge themselves to enter the NPL coaching space through Northern Tigers FC.
Others highlighted the ongoing professional development and mentoring opportunities offered by our FFA-accredited coach education presenters, as well as holistically developing life skills such as communication, presentation, organisation and time management. One XLR8 coach expanded:
“XLR8 has allowed me to utilise my skills as a professional, full time football coach in various ways. Challenging my technical knowledge through Small Group Coaching, developing my organisation as a Program Leader, and allowing me to progress my coach education presenter status to one day be an FFA-accredited presenter.”
XLR8 Head Coach Nick Marr initiated group discussions to define and share experiences of what makes a great coach, before having each group present to each other and share role models from within the room that embody the key XLR8 coach characteristics – caring, knowledgeable, engaging and inspiring.
XLR8 Programs Manager Eilidh Mackay provided a wrap-up to the afternoon, emphasising the importance and impact XLR8 has on the NSFA community, from engaging players to fall in love with football, to supporting each player to be the best individual they can be. Eilidh further highlighted the outcome XLR8 has currently had on the association with programs such as the INSPIRE Coach Support Program, Youth Coach Development Program, NSFA Skellern Cup, Club Coach Coordinator Program and Female Football Week all funded by the revenue secured from XLR8 programs.
The afternoon finished with a social barbecue and all coaches receiving their XLR8 coaching manual.
The XLR8 coaching team is looking forward to seeing all NSFA members out on the park this season!
Click here for more information about all XLR8 programs.
2019 Coaching Team: Shakoor Abdullah, Rory Adler, Will Bachelard, Raphael Blanchon, Ally Brown, Samantha Butler, Richard Byrne, Vince Cali, Eliza Campbell, Elliot Carwardine, Kaitlyn Chan, Pierre Citta, Saoirse Cobbe, Alex Cole, Tom Colfer, Brendan Dalton, Matthew Davey, Gio Di-Leo, Daniel Febo, Jeremy Ferral-Smith, Izzy Foletta, Fin Geraghty, Sarah Gordon, Christian Grunwaldt, Finn Harricks, Adam Holmes, Genevieve Ingham, Luke Klusman, Penelope Knox, Erick Lander, Joshua Lazarus, John Lee, Eilidh Mackay, Chad Mannering, Nick Marr, Mitchell McAsey, Hannah McNulty, Karim Moursi, Saskia Newman, Nick Pagano, Aimee Phillips, David Plowright, Daegal Richardson
Ben Riley, Malia Steinmetz, Ben Stibilj, Oliver Stickland, Craig Tyrie, Christopher Watts, Oliver Wheeler.