Football Coaches Australia (FCA) will enter a new era at its Annual General Meeting on September 20, when two of the organisation’s stalwarts depart, making way for new leadership as the organisation approaches its sixth anniversary.
Chief Executive Officer Glenn Warry and President Phil Moss will step down from their positions, having held them since FCA’s inaugural AGM on November 15, 2017.
Having previously driven the establishment of two national player development and wellbeing programs and worked with elite coaches in all football codes, Glenn observed that the needs of Australia’s football coaches were not being catered for by football’s governing bodies.
He partnered with experienced global sports industry leader James Kitching to start Football Coaches Australia, with the goal of providing coaches with legal advocacy, professional development, mental health and well-being services, and a collective voice and voting rights on the Football Australia Congress.
Phil Moss was appointed FCA’s inaugural President, having been Head Coach of the Central Coast Mariners, and Assistant Coach of the 2008 Olyroos, the Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC. He has held the President position for two terms, working alongside Vice Presidents Rae Dower, Heather Garriock and Sarah West during his time at the helm.
Both Glenn and Phil will leave the organisation due to family and work commitments, having volunteered thousands of hours to improve the working conditions and wellbeing of Australian coaches working at home and abroad.
FCA Vice President Sarah West said the two stalwarts would be greatly missed but would leave a strong legacy to build upon.
“Both Glenn and Phil have made tremendous contributions to the sport of football, by tirelessly working to keep the issues affecting coaches on the radar where decisions for our beautiful game are being made,” she said.
“Together, they have led FCA from its humble beginnings to achieve provisional member status with Football Australia, which is an achievement they should be extremely proud of.”
“While Glenn and Phil will be sorely missed, they have set the foundations for FCA to be a driving force for positive change within the Australian football landscape and ensure that coaches and their needs are never again an afterthought.”
“The FCA Executive Committee is committed to continuing their great work in strengthening relationships across football’s governance and taking FCA and Australian coaches to new heights.”
“Personally, and on behalf of the Executive Committee, I would like to thank Glenn and Phil for their extraordinary contributions and leadership,” FCA’s Vice President said.
Warry said he was proud of what FCA had been able to achieve despite significant opposition from some of the sport’s leadership.
“Coaching is the most visible leadership role in football, with coaches the face of the club and responsible for driving club culture, high performance, team success and the wellbeing of the players. At the community level, this involves providing a safe, and importantly, fun environment for young players,” he said.
“In a short period of time, and through a challenging period for all Australians, FCA is proud of the collective voice, extensive advocacy services and world-leading professional development programs that it has developed and delivers for Australian football coaches worldwide.”
“Since its inception, FCA has endeavoured at all times to work collaboratively and collectively with football stakeholders for the betterment of coaches and football,” the outgoing CEO and founder said.
He added that most recently FCA had worked beyond borders and through pandemics to deliver for Australian coaches.
“The association provides Australian coaches continued access to legal support in Australia, Asia and Europe to proceed disputes to the FIFA Player Status Committee or to Fair Work Australia (NPL Club disputes), Contract Negotiations, Code of Conduct determinations, legal support in ‘Cease and Desist’ proceedings against individuals, and finally, resume preparation and interview skills.”
“In particular, FCA was proud to be the national leader in supporting football coaches throughout the COVID period of 2021 and 2022, surging our capacity to provide free learning through more than 60 professional development Zoom conferences, virtual community-building activities, and 100 complimentary Mental Health Masterclass programs,” Warry said.
Outgoing President Phil Moss said while he was tremendously proud to have led FCA during a period of rapid growth in the game and ensure coaches have more support than ever before, the lack of funding and embrace from within the game continued to disappoint.
“So much quality work has been done by so many brilliant football people to get FCA to where it is today,” he said.
“Everyone involved, past and present, has let their actions do the talking in setting up, sustaining and strengthening the support that all coaches now have available to them for the duration of their journey.”
“That is a far cry from what so many other coaches had in the past,” he said.
Moss added that there was still much to be done to provide coaches with adequate support.
“The need for vastly improved coaching pathways, increased opportunities and support for coaches for the full length of their journey is no less important than for that of players,” he said.
“Coaches develop players and provide the structure and environment that liberates players to realise their potential. Yet, the attitude towards – and treatment of – coaches is still generally poor.”
“FCA is set up well to go to the next level, and football’s power brokers must realise the non-negotiable importance of having an organisation that specifically supports coaches from start to finish, as FCA does. The handbrake slowing coaching as a profession must be released.”
“The positive rhetoric from a number of stakeholders FCA has worked collaboratively with has not been backed by actions, and that is really disappointing,” the outgoing President said.
Football Coaches Australia members are invited to attend the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on 20 September and cast their vote to appoint a new President, as well as appoint a new member to its Executive Committee to fill a vacancy. The CEO position has been advertised and will be selected by the FCA Executive Committee in accordance with the organisation’s constitution.
Registrations are required to attend the AGM, which is open to FCA Members only. Members are invited to register at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/football-coaches-australia-annual-general-meeting-2023-tickets-708988041317
To read full statements from outgoing CEO Glenn Warry and outgoing President Phil Moss, please click here.
Media Interviews are available with Glenn Warry, Phil Moss and Sarah West.
To arrange an interview, please contact Glenn Warry on 0417 346 312
