Football Coaches Australia and XVenture announce sponsorship for clubs and coaches

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In a ‘first of its kind’ sponsorship from Football Coaches Australia and XVenture, grassroots football clubs around Australia will receive a discount on world leading continuing professional development for their coaches, plus a cash sponsorship to use in whatever way the club needs.

During March and April, any football coach at their club who registers for the FCA XV Essential Skills program will receive a $100 discount, and their club will receive a $100 cash sponsorship for each of the coaches who sign up.

The hugely successful FCA XV Essential Skills program modules have already been completed by over 300 coaches in Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA and Hong Kong, leading to an improved impact on their coaching, as well as the more than 4,500 players they work with, both on and off the field.

As we all seek to re-connect during these challenging times, the aim of this unique sponsorship, through the discounted access for coaches, is to provide funds for clubs to improve the overall quality of coaching provided. Clubs in turn are likely to have more success over the season, meaning a greater retention of players and coaches, as well as a more thriving and engaged community.

One of the coaches who has already completed the full FCA XV Essential Skills Program is Director of Football of Westfields Sports High, Kory Babington, who said the following:

“The ability to get the best out of yourself, your players and staff should always be evolving. The Essential Skills modules offered so much good information, excellent case studies, different perspectives, and readings from a diverse range of sports and walks of life.  I can’t wait to apply what I have learnt in various practical settings I work in. Well done on creating a very professional, informative and engaging online learning platform.”

30 CPD points are also provided for license re-validation for each completed module.

For more information or to register please go to: https://www.fcaxvcollege.com/pages/coach-clubs

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PEGS SC Receives $5,000 Community Grant from Bendigo Bank

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Image Credit: One Nil Media

In a powerful show of support for local sport and women’s participation, Community Bank Keilor East – Bendigo Bank has awarded a $5,000 Community Grant to PEGS Soccer Club, allowing their senior women’s team to play for free in 2025.

The grant marks a revived partnership between PEGS SC and Bendigo Bank, following a long-standing relationship with the Strathmore branch that was paused during the pandemic.

“Originally, we had a partnership with them through their Strathmore branch in 2015 and 2016 for a few years, and then it disbanded over COVID,” explained PEGS SC President Chris Orlich. “This is the first year we’ve started back up with the Keilor East branch.”

Chris Orlich (Left) and Richard Lawrence (Right) from Community Bank Keilor East proudly announces the $5,000 community grant alongside PEGS SC, presenting the new senior women’s team jersey supported by Community Bank Keilor East. A big boost for grassroots sport and women’s football in 2025 Photo Credit: One Nil Media

The renewed collaboration reflects a shared commitment to fostering community, inclusion, and opportunity through grassroots sport.

“It was a massive help for our senior women’s team,” Orlich added. “We were able to get them to play for free, basically covered by Bendigo Bank. It’s a huge boost and shows how supporting the community and local business really makes a difference.”

At Community Bank Keilor East, giving back is a core value. As a community-owned bank, they return up to 50% of profits into local initiatives, including sport, education, and grassroots programs.

“Supporting women’s teams is not only aligned with our values of equity and inclusion, it’s an investment in the strength and future of our community,” said Zaina Kattan, Community Engagement Officer at Bendigo Bank Keilor East. “We’re especially passionate about backing local sporting clubs and are proud advocates of women in sport.”

The Keilor East branch recently marked a major milestone with the purchase of their long-time premises at 53 Wyong Street, where they’ve proudly operated for over 23 years. Backed by a dedicated team, including Business Development Manager Aggie Polifico and a committed board, the branch’s support goes beyond financial contributions.

The PEGS SC senior women’s team celebrates with Richard Lawrence from Community Bank Keilor East – Bendigo Bank after receiving a $5,000 grant to cover 2025 player fees, supporting inclusion and growth in grassroots football. Image Credit: One Nil Media

PEGS SC and other local groups also benefit from Bendigo Bank’s free Community Bus, which helps reduce travel costs and encourages broader participation in competitions and events.

With the grant now in place, PEGS SC’s senior women will take the field in 2025 free of player fees – helping remove barriers and build a stronger, more inclusive future for the sport.

5th AFC Coach Education Conference Sparks a Brighter Future

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Image Credit: AFC

The 5th AFC Coach Education Conference wrapped up successfully on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reaffirming the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) commitment to boosting the performance of Asian teams on the world stage.

Over three days, the conference featured a series of engaging presentations addressing key topics essential to advancing coach education programs across the AFC’s Member Associations (MAs).

Under the theme ‘Shaping the Future of Coach Education,’ the event kicked off on Tuesday with AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh delivering a keynote speech titled ‘Tomorrow’s Coaches’. His address sparked a lively dialogue among attendees, setting a collaborative tone for the conference.

Day two began with a comprehensive session on the UEFA Coaching Convention’s membership criteria, which included discussions on running national coaching courses and increasing the number of female tutors within MA coaching structures.

This session led to in-depth conversations about the unique needs of each association, the value of practical learning, diverse leadership approaches, and embracing new technology.

A standout moment was the panel discussion on the ‘Emotions in Football’ initiative, featuring experts from Qatar Football Association, Aspire Academy, AFC grassroots development, and the Education 4 Peace Foundation. The panel emphasised the vital role of social responsibility within football.

Head of Coach Education at the Football Association of Singapore and former Bolton Wanderers defender, Hasney Aljofree, praised the conference.

“It’s been a fantastic few days with top-tier information sharing. The collective knowledge exchange clearly shows what we are working to achieve together,” he said via press release.

“Having played professionally and now working as an educator, this conference supports my role as football evolves — especially with the pressures players face today through social media and constant public scrutiny.”

The conference also offered an opportunity for coaching tutors to receive updates on the AFC–Japan Football Association Women’s Pro Diploma Course, currently progressing towards its final module.

The final day featured presentations from Saudi Arabian Football Federation Technical Director Nasser Larguet and Football Association of Ireland Head of Coach Education Niall O’Regan, who shared their experiences and sparked further vibrant discussions.

Coach Education Instructor at Football Australia, Faye Chambers, reflected on the conference’s impact to the program.

“The AFC Coach Education Conference has not only enabled us to exchange ideas but also hear of success stories which undeniably motivate MAs in improving their existing programs,” she said via press release.

“Moreover, a lot of work is being done to empower more women coach educators through exclusive courses, and the impact can clearly be seen, as over the years, more and more women are taking up leadership roles in football, which is a clear indication of the progress being made on the Continent.”
This conference not only strengthens coach education across Asia but also paves the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for football in the region.

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