Football Coaches Australia present ‘The Football Coaching Life Podcast’ #4 with Gary Cole interviewing Heather Garriock

Staff Writer

Heather Garriock is perhaps best known for the 130 caps she won representing the Matildas and her expert commentary on Optus Sport. Her international career spread over 13 years and included three FIFA Women’s World Cups, two Olympic Games and three Asian Cups, culminating with a win in China during 2010.

Heather is a member of the Football Australia Starting XI and is the FCA Vice President.
She was Head Coach of Sydney United FC (NPL) 2014-17, Canberra United FC (W-League) 2017-20 and was also a Matildas Assistant Coach in 2017.

Heather was a tenacious footballer which continued into her coaching career and now as CEO of Taekwondo Australia. In our conversation she explains how coaching, and leadership has given her a different perspective on success.

There is a wonderful openness and honesty from Heather that provides learning opportunities for all coaches. She explains how important mentors have been from within football as well as from outside of football from coaching greats Carry Graff (basketball) and Lisa Alexander (netball).

We have a frank discussion around pregnancy and elite playing and coaching and the significant improvements that have been made by Football Australia.

Heather was incredibly open and honest about her coaching journey and how important developing resilience is for coaches.

Please join me in sharing Heather Garriock’s Football Coaching Life.

Podcast link
https://thefootballcoachinglifepodcast.podbean.com/e/heathergarriock/

Staff Writer
Soccerscene is committed to promoting, enhancing and growing the soccer industry in Australia. We believe soccer news has captured the attention of grassroots soccer clubs, apparel and equipment suppliers – which extends to governing bodies, club administrators and industry decision makers. Many of the auxiliary products and services support the growth of the soccer industry in Australia and Asia, a passion we also share and want to express through our work.

Key concerns for FIFPRO’s Player Workload Monitoring report

Avatar
Image credit: Jude Bellingham Instagram

FIFPRO has recently released their annual Player Performance and Recovery report for 2024, this report is developed by FIFPRO IQ in conjunction with Football Benchmark, a leading data and analysis group on football business.

The report explains in detail the problems facing professional footballers by leaders within the industry and the players themselves. This report not only factors in the physical impact of the sport but also the psychological impact.

FIFPRO’s Player Workload Monitoring tool (PWM) the primary system behind this report monitors 1500 players spread across 100 leagues and 150 nationalities.

They have pointed out the obvious lack of appreciation by tournament organisers for the physical and mental well-being of football players and an evident lack of organised calendar planning.

Acting FIFPRO General Secretary Stephane Burchkalter stressed the importance of this report via press release:

“We release these reports for a good reason. Because, today, we face one of the most serious and urgent problems in our sport. A problem that results from the abuse of governance and a failure of the duty of care. The holistic workload that confronts our players is unprecedented. It has produced a physical and mental fatigue that is now dangerous.”

With increased match loads, travel loads and shortening of preparation the risks have never been higher with 54% of PMW players experiencing excessive or high-demand workloads.

88% of players’ time is recorded to be spent in the workplace environment and 17% in national team environments.

The world-renowned Uruguayan coach Marco Bielsa stated via press release:

“To ignore the consequences of the number of games and amount of travelling will end in injuries for any player.”

This report identifies that some players have seen their free time fall to nearly 12% of the calendar year, which adds up to less than a single day off per week. This fails to comply with international Occupational Safety and Health standards.

There have been calls for a guaranteed rest period which 72% of players and 78% of coaches support.

As the demand for games grows and the push for more revenue skyrockets, the players see their health and voices continue to deteriorate.

This report and FIFAPRO highlight the firm action that needs to happen to protect the stars of the sport.

For more information about the report, read more here.

Football Coaches Australia presents the Attacking Principles of Play coaching masterclass

Liam Watson
Image credit: Maxisport / Shutterstock.com

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) has confirmed details of a coaching masterclass session to be run on Thursday, September 12 at 6pm AEST.

Based around the Attacking Principles of Play, the coaching masterclass from FCA is delivered by Hills Football Association – in collaboration with Australian College of Physical Education and Global Institute of Sport.

The masterclass aims to support and extend coaches’ understanding of attacking principles of play and how coaches utilise these to support teams’ game models/playing styles.

A panel discussion will be presented via a webinar with leading coaches from the UK and Australia.

FCA’s Executive Committee member Mara Watts will provide her insights to the game, featuring a panel which will welcome The Football Association’s Senior Women’s Coach & Development Lead Mark Swales, alongside Plymouth Argyle Analysis Show’s Lead Analyst Aaron Cusack.

Completion of the coaching masterclass will accrue 1 hour of Continued Professional development (CPD).

To register for the FA CPD Hour, click here: https://lnkd.in/gCHstPVr

To register just for attendance and without the CPD Hour, click here: https://lnkd.in/g9xZSmcj

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend