FC Football Kit delivering apparel and flexibility to COVID19-hit football clubs

Former National Premier Leagues Victoria player Michael Eagar is at the forefront of FC Football Kit’s mission to deliver quality apparel in tandem with flexible terms to football clubs in Australia.

A game-changing offer from FC Football Kit means grassroots football clubs can continue to provide their members outstanding apparel and football kit in the post-COVID19 world.

FC Football Kit is offering six-month, interest-free payment terms to football clubs who sign up with the apparel company in 2021.

The interest-free terms will be well received by clubs looking for more flexible arrangements with apparel suppliers with a shortfall in funds expected for many grassroots clubs as a result of the COVID19 pandemic.

A relatively new name in the Australian football scene, FC Football Kit arrives in Australia courtesy of National Premier Leagues Victoria mainstay, Michael Eagar. An NPLV champion with South Melbourne, Eagar is the Managing Director of FC Football Kit having helped bring the company to Australia from his native New Zealand.

“We think the interest-free offer is a very exciting offer; it’s exciting for clubs across Australia who have had their challenges over the past 12 months and now have a solution that can assist them and their members with a positive outlook,” he said. “

“We are football people, so we know what it’s like to be involved with clubs and what’s important to them across all stakeholders. We want to do everything we can to be a successful business partner, and assist them in any way we can. We know that timing of cash flow can be an issue, so we want to extend a helping hand and play our part in the recovery and stability of football clubs here in Australia post-COVID.

“To reinforce our company view and values, we believe this is a great statement that shows we really want to partner and assist clubs while building a long-term future with them here in Australia.”

Clubs in Victoria have been particularly hard hit with the cancellation of the vast majority of junior seasons and the complete loss of revenue from senior football meaning many clubs have had to roll over fees or make refunds to paying members.

FC Football Kit’s interest-free payment terms offer clubs some much-needed flexibility when it comes to arranging new kit for the upcoming season. It allows clubs time to bring money in through membership and registration fees as well as sponsorship without the need to make a lump-sum payment for apparel before it is delivered.

Whilst FC Football Kit may be new on the scene in Australia, its arrival comes with plenty of experience and know-how across the ditch. With over 15 years of operational history, FC Football Kit has been servicing clubs at various levels, from national teams right down to community clubs in various sports.

“We were founded by football people, so naturally that’s where our focus is,” Eagar said.

“While we’re new to Australia, we’re far from a new company. We have a lot of experience across what clubs want, what academies want, what parents, what families want, and how to best provide for that from the quality of product to service and delivery processes along with a comprehensive product range.”

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GIS and ACPE join forces to strengthen football coaching and tactical development

The Global Institute of Sport (GIS) and Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) will support Hills Football Association in delivering a specialist coaching workshop designed to improve player development, tactical understanding and performance analysis.

Taking place on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at the ACPE campus in Sydney Olympic Park, the workshop will bring together experienced football coaches and performance analysts to explore practical approaches to developing players’ tactical awareness, decision-making and understanding of the game.

Titled Developing and Supporting Players’ Tactical Understanding, the event will run from 6pm to 8.30pm and feature two workshops focused on translating coaching theory and performance analysis into practical learning environments.

Former Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni, who has also led the national women’s teams of the United States, Canada and New Zealand, will present the first session, Working with International Players.

The workshop will examine how coaches can design training sessions that develop tactical execution under realistic match conditions, with an emphasis on practice design, player decision-making and effective coaching behaviours.

The second session, From Video to Understanding, will be facilitated by experienced performance analysts from GIS and ACPE.

Participants will explore how match footage can be used to strengthen tactical learning, encourage player reflection and develop independent decision-making.

The session will also examine how coaches can structure effective video reviews that align with coaching objectives and a team’s playing model.

Supporting the next generation of football coaches

The initiative highlights the growing importance of combining traditional coaching methods with modern performance analysis to support player development across Australian football.

As clubs and football organisations increasingly seek to improve coaching standards, access to practical education and industry expertise remains an important component of developing more effective learning environments.

The workshop is designed for coaches seeking player-centred approaches that encourage footballers to read the game, understand tactical situations and make better decisions on the pitch.

Participants will receive two hours of Football Australia Continuing Professional Development (CPD) recognition.

For GIS, the collaboration provides another opportunity to connect its specialist sports education and analytics expertise with the practical demands of football coaching.

The institute delivers postgraduate sports education through online learning and stadium-based campuses internationally, including Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and SCG.

Its Sydney offering includes the Master of Sports Analytics and Master of International Sports Business, supporting the development of professionals across the sporting industry.

ACPE, established in 1917 and based at Sydney Olympic Park, brings extensive experience in sport, health and physical education, with a strong emphasis on industry-focused learning and practical professional development.

Together with Hills Football Association, the two education providers aim to equip coaches with practical knowledge that can be applied directly within their football environments.

Event details

  • Event: Developing and Supporting Players’ Tactical Understanding
  • Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
  • Time: 6pm to 8.30pm
  • Venue: ACPE Campus, 10 Parkview Drive, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
  • Presenter: Tom Sermanni
  • Facilitators: Performance analysts from ACPE and GIS
  • CPD: Two hours of Football Australia Continuing Professional Development

Coaches interested in attending are encouraged to register through the event’s official registration channel.

For more information about the education providers, visit Global Institute of Sport and Australian College of Physical Education.

Football NSW backs 20 female coaches with qualification scholarships

Football NSW has supported 20 female coaches to complete their AFC/Football Australia C Diploma qualification in 2026, using scholarships funded through Football Australia and CommBank’s Growing Football Fund to reduce the cost of coach education.

The initiative included a dedicated female-only C Diploma course delivered by Football NSW in April and May, attended by 13 coaches. An additional seven received support to complete courses closer to their local communities, improving access for coaches across metropolitan and regional New South Wales.

Football NSW Head of Women’s and Schools Football Hayley Todd said the scholarships had helped address a key barrier to coaching development.

“These scholarships have helped remove a significant barrier for many female coaches seeking to progress their coaching journey,” Todd said.

Todd said the combination of a female-only course and support for locally accessible qualifications had created pathways for 20 women to develop their skills and contribute to football in their communities.

The program reflects an ongoing challenge for the sport: increasing women’s participation also requires investment in the coaches who lead teams, develop players and help shape club environments.

By helping cover qualification costs, the scholarships give recipients an opportunity to strengthen their coaching knowledge and leadership capabilities while expanding the pool of qualified female coaches available to clubs.

The support also connects to the wider Growing Football Fund, a joint Football Australia and CommBank initiative aimed at creating more opportunities for women and girls in the game.

The fund’s community grant program offers eligible clubs and associations grants of up to $5,000 to help attract or retain women and girls in football, with applications for the 2026–27 round closing on 20 October 2026.

The governing body also offers Women in Football Coaching Scholarships worth 50 per cent of course costs, with applications limited.

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