Football Coaches Australia Granted Provisional FFA Membership

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) was granted the status of FFA Provisional Member at yesterday’s FFA Annual General Meeting (AGM), after the resolution was passed by FFA Members.

FCA President Phil Moss, who presented to the FFA AGM prior to the vote, was delighted with the outcome.

“This is a very proud day in the short history of our organization,” he said.

“If not for the coaches who have gone before us Football Coaches Australia may not have materialized. If not for our founders Glenn Warry and James Kitching, FCA most certainly would not have physically seen the light of day.”

Founded in 2017, FCA provides a collective voice for coaches by championing advocacy, well-being, and development.

The organisation has grown significantly since its inception, with its leadership team now optimistic of achieving full membership to the now ‘Football Australia’ by 2022.

“The people involved and the outstanding work done since day one at Macquarie University in November 2017 have allowed us to arrive at Provisional Membership of the FA Congress,” Moss added.

“I’m so proud of our special ‘dressing room’ that doubles as our ExCo & various sub-committees – a group of exceptional people who continuously go above & beyond for the love of the game & respect they have for what coaches bring to the code.”

“It is an achievement that our management, Executive Committee, members & supporters should rightly celebrate today!”

“Tomorrow, though, we go again. There is so much hard work ahead with our fellow key stakeholders to ensure the future of the game & coaching is where it needs to be. On behalf of Team FCA I’d like to thank all the members who recognised the importance of coaches to the future of Australian & international football by voting for us on this historic day.”

FCA Vice President Heather Garriock also weighed in on the news, echoing Moss’ excitement at the result.

FCA Vice President Heather Garriock

“This clearly is a representation of where our organisation should be, coaches front and centre of our beautiful game.”

“To all our current members who have supported us and the coaches that don’t yet know about us, we are the future for ‘ALL’ coaches in Australia, we are Football Coaches Australia.

“Kudos to the founders of FCA, belief is everything, the journey is only beginning.”

“As we work towards Full Membership, of the now Football Australia, in November 2022, on behalf of our member coaches, FCA looks forward to continued collaboration with all stakeholders to promote and strengthen the reputation of football in Australia and the reputation of football on the world stage.”

In line with this vision FCA has launched their ground breaking professional development programs, with partner X Venture, connecting community and professional coaches, through the delivery of the 2020 FCA XV National Mind Games Cup.

IT’S SIMPLE FOR COACHES TO REGISTER AND ENTRIES CLOSE NEXT WEEK

www.fcaxvmindgamescup.com

FCA are also pleased to partner FNSW at this weekend’s 2020 Australian Football Coaching Conference – XVenture’s founder Mike Conway will present the webinar “Emotional Agility and Mental Coaching Techniques for Performance Improvement”.

The FNSW Conference presentation will outline the significant FCA XVenture Essential Skills program for football coaches which will be launched in February 2021. (5 modules x 30 CPD points per module).

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Murray United calls Football Victoria review following wave of State League forfeits

Murray United has called on Football Victoria to undertake a comprehensive review of State League football after a series of fixture forfeits left the regional club questioning the integrity of the competition and the long-term sustainability of its senior pathway.

In correspondence sent to Football Victoria, Murray United outlined concerns following what it says has been an unprecedented number of forfeited fixtures during the 2026 State League season. According to the club, its senior men’s program has been impacted by five forfeited rounds, equating to 10 matches. This includes the club’s last two fixtures, significantly disrupting competition across both senior and reserve grades.

The club and its chairman Pedro Afonso, argue the consequences extend far beyond missed fixtures, affecting player development, community engagement and confidence in the State League system.

“This is extraordinary, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the integrity and intent of Football Victoria’s State League competition,” Afonso said to Football Victoria.

“This impact extends well beyond lost fixtures. It has damaged player morale, member engagement, volunteer morale, sponsorship and club revenue, and the reputation of the sport and competition itself.”

Located at the club’s $20 million facility in Wodonga, Murray United has invested heavily in creating a regional football pathway. However, repeated forfeits have limited opportunities for players, coaches and supporters to participate in home State League fixtures.

The club has hosted just three home rounds this season despite the significant investment made into facilities and matchday operations.

“Our players, coaches, members, supporters, sponsors and the sport expect a legitimate State League competition, not one regularly disrupted by forfeits,” Afonso said.

“Our confidence must be restored by Football Victoria.”

While the immediate concern centres on this season, Murray United believes the issue reflects broader structural challenges facing regional football within Victoria’s State League system. Between the north-west and south-east competitions, there are 14 divisions of State League football in Victoria.

Among its recommendations, the club has called for Football Victoria and its Football Development Committee to undertake a formal review of the State League Seven North West competition, including club compliance and the frequency of forfeits.

Murray United also questioned whether the current competition structure provides an appropriate development environment for ambitious regional clubs. The club could be promoted to division six due to a large proportion of fixture forfeits. But fearing further cancellations, the club is requesting a review to be placed in an even higher division where clubs are willing to travel to Wodonga.

“We believe we should be sensibly placed in a competition that reflects our playing standard, facilities, player and coach pathways and our ambitions,” Afonso said.

The club has requested that Football Victoria assess its senior program using grading principles similar to those recently applied within senior women’s competitions, with consideration given to placement in a competition more suited to its football program and long-term objectives.

Alongside competition grading, Murray United has proposed stronger penalties for clubs that repeatedly forfeit fixtures. Recommendations include increased financial sanctions to $2,100 for senior teams alongside a three-point deduction per forfeit and compensation for host clubs to offset matchday operating costs.

The submission also encourages Football Victoria to review minimum participation standards across State League clubs, strengthen accountability measures and examine whether the existing league structure adequately supports regional football.

Afonso believes reform is necessary to ensure regional clubs are not disadvantaged within a statewide competition.

“We remain fully committed to providing quality football opportunities for our regional members and community and have heavily invested in facilities, player and coach development and volunteers,” he said.

The club has requested that Football Victoria provide clarity on the actions it intends to take before the commencement of the 2027 season, arguing that restoring confidence in competition integrity will be critical for the continued growth of regional football.

 

Australian Sports Group unveiled as new owners of Canberra United

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has confirmed Canberra United’s new owners will be the Australian Sports Group (ASG), securing the future of the A-League Women’s side with the potential for an A-League men’s team to be introduced for the 2028/2029 season.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for football in the nation’s capital, ending a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding Canberra United’s future in the Ninja A-League Women competition.

Beyond ensuring the club’s ongoing participation in Australia’s premier women’s domestic league, the acquisition provides a pathway towards the potential introduction of an A-League Men club in Canberra, subject to the completion of regulatory requirements; the club could exercise an exclusive licence agreement in the Australian Capital Territory.

Australian Sports Group has outlined an ambitious vision centred on strengthening football throughout the ACT, with plans to invest in player development pathways, community engagement and football infrastructure while working alongside key stakeholders across the region.

The ownership transition has been welcomed by the Australian Professional Leagues, which described the outcome as an important step in expanding the game’s footprint in Canberra and reinforcing the long-term sustainability of professional football in the region.

Canberra United has long been regarded as one of Australia’s most successful and respected women’s clubs, playing a pivotal role in developing elite players and contributing to the growth of women’s football nationally. The confirmation of new ownership provides greater certainty for players, staff, supporters and commercial partners ahead of the upcoming season.

The licence transfer will continue through Football Australia’s regulatory processes, including the required fit and proper persons assessment, while operational planning for the 2026-27 campaign is already underway with support from both the APL and Capital Football.

 

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