Coaches Associations in Australia and India strike agreement

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) is delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of India Football Coaches (AIFC) on 26 August 2020.

The agreement is based on a mutual commitment to build careers in football in an economically sustainable manner and to ensure that coaching roles are properly safeguarded and attractive to each nation’s best talent.

FCA Chief Executive Glenn Warry was pleased to make the announcement, stating the two entities recognise each other as developing associations, and have held constructive conversations regarding many major issues affecting the world game.

“The MoU with AIFC reinforces our vision of promoting and strengthening the reputation of football in Australia and the reputation of Australian football on the world stage,” said FCA CEO Glenn Warry.

“We are committed to working together to develop support systems for Australian and Indian professional football coaches as they seek to pursue their careers in the Asian Football region.”

The AIFC             Football Coaches Australia

Under the MoU, the associations will collaborate across key areas, and are committed to collectively work towards the following five key aims:

  • Mutually assisting each other in the development of football in Australia and India.
  • Introducing standard contracts for coaches within their country which set out the agreed minimum employment conditions and a structured and resourced process for termination of employment.
  • Set up strategic partnerships to support the professional development & wellbeing of coaches, including coach exchange programs.
  • Encourage the involvement of more female coaches.
  • Increase access to football for all participants while aspiring to make each of those experiences positive.

AIFC Executive Director Dinesh Nair also expressed his satisfaction, stating that both associations recognise the influential role coaches play in the lives and livelihoods of footballers, particular to children and young adults.

“We are happy to make our relationship official, after supporting each other in our journey to equip and educate our coaches. With this Agreement we look forward to working together for the betterment of our coaches. This will help us learn from each other, share best practices and also grow together,” Nair said.

“With the upcoming 2023 FIFA WWC, FCA and AIFC seek to lead the way in developing best practice systems to support all Associations and their member coaches in the Asian region, and in particular, the advancement of female coaches.”

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Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

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Image credit: Football NSW

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

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