Heading the Game Forward: Why Brain Health Must Be Football’s Next Priority

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Football Coaches Australia (FCA) workshop with Nick Gates to equip coaches with critical insights on head impacts, CTE, and player safety.

As football continues to evolve at pace, so too does the responsibility placed on coaches—not just to develop players, but to protect them.

On 4 May, Football Coaches Australia (FCA) will host a vital one-hour CPD-approved workshop led by HEADSAFE’s Nick Gates, tackling one of the most pressing issues in the modern game: brain health.

Titled “Brain Health & Decision-Making in the Modern Game,” the session will unpack the latest global research surrounding head impacts, with a particular focus on the long-term risks associated with repeated heading, including Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and dementia.

But this isn’t just theory.

At its core, the workshop is designed to translate complex medical research into practical, on-the-ground coaching decisions.

What should coaches actually be looking for?

How can they better manage risk in training and matches?

And how can they make informed decisions that prioritise player welfare without compromising development?

These are the questions Gates will address—bridging the gap between science and sideline.

With increasing global scrutiny on concussion protocols and heading guidelines, sessions like this are becoming essential, not optional. The modern coach is no longer just a tactician, but a guardian of long-term player health.

This workshop provides the tools to take that responsibility seriously. Register here.

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Victorian football clubs eligible for $5,000 anti-racism grants

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Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants
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Football Victoria clubs can now apply for grants of up to $5,000 as part of a new initiative to improve cultural safety, inclusion and anti-racism within their communities.

The Set The Standard Club Grants program has opened applications for eligible Victorian community sporting clubs. Up to 50 grants of $5,000 (excluding GST) are available through the initiative.

The funding is designed to help clubs turn anti-racism education into practical action. It supports projects that make football environments more welcoming and inclusive for players, families, volunteers and supporters.

Potential initiatives include multicultural or First Nations artwork, uniforms that better accommodate cultural and religious requirements, and more representative club marketing materials. Furthermore, clubs can offer additional racial literacy training for players and club leaders.

Before applying, clubs must complete the free Set The Standard anti-racism training delivered by Reflect Forward. The 60-minute program is designed for committee members, coaches, team managers, match-day officials and other club leaders. It provides practical tools to recognise and respond to racism.

Eligibility requirements include affiliation with one of the participating state sporting associations, including Football Victoria, and a valid Australian Business Number, either directly or through an eligible auspice organisation. Metropolitan clubs must have at least five representatives complete the training. However, regional clubs participating in designated collaborative sessions can qualify with at least one trained representative.

An online information session covering eligibility, eligible activities and the application process is scheduled for 29 October 2026, from 7pm to 8pm.

The grants form part of a broader Victorian initiative involving seven state sporting associations and VicHealth. This initiative aims to prevent and reduce racism in community sport.

Football clubs interested in applying can find eligibility requirements, grant guidelines and application details through the Set The Standard Club Grants website.

Financial assistance available for young footballers representing their state or country

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Young Australian footballers heading to state, national or international championships can receive financial assistance through the Australian Sports Commission’s Local Sporting Champions program.

The 2026–27 program provides grants of between $500 and $750 to eligible competitors, coaches and officials aged 13 to 18, helping cover the costs associated with attending eligible championships.

The base grant is $500, with additional funding available depending on travel requirements. Applicants travelling between 800 and 1,999 kilometres can receive an additional $100, while those travelling internationally or more than 2,000 kilometres can receive an additional $200. Young people living in a rural electorate may also receive an additional $50.

For football clubs and families, the program could provide valuable assistance with the growing costs of representative football, including travel and participation expenses.

Eligibility depends on the age of the applicant and the level of competition. Participants turning 13 to 18 can apply for eligible state championships, while those turning 14 to 18 can attend state or national championships. Participants turning 15 to 18 can also apply when attending international championships.

Applications for the current round opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 31 October 2026. Eligible competitions for this round must take place between 1 July 2026 and 28 February 2027.

Applicants must submit their applications online once the program team selects them and they confirm their participation. The program is competitive, so applicants may not receive funding.

For young footballers facing significant travel and competition costs, the Local Sporting Champions program offers an opportunity to offset some of the financial burden while pursuing opportunities at higher levels of the game.

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