Football Coaches Australia presents ‘The Football Coaching Life Podcast’ S3 Ep 1 with Gary Cole interviewing Ash Wilson

FCA

Ash Wilson has recently been reappointed as Head Coach of the Newcastle Jets A-League Women’s team. Ash also works in the Jets Academy program and in addition is a full-time teacher at Hunter Sports High.

Ash played her early football in Lismore on the far north coast of NSW. Her dad was integral in helping Ash into the game, being her role model as well as helping her to fall in love with the game.

She began coaching early in her career, working first in the Macquarie Academy while she was playing and then continuing as she moved to Adamstown Rosebuds after moving to Newcastle to play.

This is another wonderful conversation with a coach still young in years, but experienced in working with players at school, community and elite level. Ash is a teacher at heart and wants to teach/coach her players to improve. She is also a strong advocate of ‘lifetime learning’ and is always looking to continue her own football education.

Ash understands how important resilience is for players and coaches, and as a secondary teacher and coach she teaches young people how to become more resilient and appreciates how important this is in her own coaching life.

Ash’s ‘one piece of wisdom’ is that if you want to coach, then be brave enough to put yourself out there, introduce yourself to people and be prepared to take on opportunities that exist as you grow and develop as a coach and work out your own pathway.

Please join in sharing Ash Wilson’s Football Coaching Life.

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Inter Academy expands operations into two major Australian cities

FC Internazionale Milano announced last week that their academy network has expanded into Sydney and Adelaide. The projects will be implemented alongside Christian Brothers High School (CBHS) in Lewisham, NSW and with semi-professional club, Adelaide Blue Eagles. 

 

A milestone for all parties

The announcement marks another impressive development for Inter Academy, which continues to expand its global network of elite training academies across the globe. 

With bases already established in Canada, Chile, Turkey, Italy and more, the club has now extended its operations and expertise to Australia. With activities set to commence in April in Sydney and Adelaide, the new partnerships will seek to embolden and progress football development across New South Wales and South Australia.

 The organisation expressed their pride at the newly-forged partnerships, outlining several factors which the project will bring. 

“FC Internazionale Milano is pleased to announce the opening of Inter Academy Sydney and Inter Academy Adelaide, extending the Nerrazzuri project to Australia,” the club said via social media announcement. 

“The two new Inter Academies in Australia will offer a football development programme based on Inter Academy’s training methodology, while also focusing on the personal growth of the players.” 

The alliance indicates an exciting future for the rising stars looking to link up with the academy programmes, as well as for the coaches and local clubs eager to gain insight into how this European powerhouse operates. 

It is an immense milestone for all involved. On one hand, Inter can help develop a nation of passionate and eager young footballers looking for a quality football education. On the other, coaches and professionals across Sydney and Adelaide now have access to the expertise and training methods of the most decorated football academy in Italy. 

 

Who will partner with Inter Academy? 

Inter Academy Sydney and Inter Academy Adelaide will both collaborate with local organisations, with whom their values and passion for the game are shared. 

Christian Brothers High School Lewisham

Inter Academy Sydney will receive the backing of Christian Brothers High School (CBHS) Lewisham, an educational institution with over 100 years of history in Sydney’s western suburbs.

While academic excellence is highly valued, the school strives to provide its students with an experience built on meaningful relationships, discovering passions, and building confidence. 

Adelaide Blue Eagles

On the other hand, Inter Academy Adelaide will work in conjunction with semi-professional club, Adelaide Blue Eagles (Azzurri Sports Club). 

Founded in 1958 (with inaugural members hailing from Italy), the club has grown into both a successful sporting organisation and a cornerstone of the community. The club is committed to nurturing talented boys and girls in the area through the Elite Eagles Academy. 

 

Balancing the player and the person

It is evident why Inter Milan wanted to strike up partnerships with CBHS and the Adelaide Blue Eagles. Whether on the pitch or in the classroom, these institutions dedicate themselves to achieving excellence. 

All three parties refuse to compromise on providing an environment in which players and students can develop as people. Brand and Marketing Director of Inter Milan, Luca Adornato, also emphasised the importance of building such partnerships on common values. 

“Opening these two academies in Australia represents an important step in the global growth of our project,” Adornato said via official press release.

“There is huge potential in collaboration with CBHS Lewisham in Sydney and Adelaide Blue Eagles in Adelaide. Both partners share our commitment to the development of youth sports and we are pleased to embark on this journey together.”

Although Inter Academy holds an outstanding reputation in the football world for its elite sporting standards and achievements, it refuses to compromise on developing the person behind the player. This holistic approach, in which footballing excellence comes hand-in-hand with personal growth, will be of immense value to the future generations across Sydney and Adeliade seeking to join the programmes. 

 

Connecting Australian talent with European pathways

Inter Academy joins an extensive list of European clubs including Juventus, Olympiacos and CF Villarreal who have established academies and football programs in Australia. Primarily operating in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, these programs help connect coaches and young players in Australia with the expertise and training methods of Europe’s elite.

By forging partnerships of this nature and bringing their expertise into local communities, we can bridge the gap between Australian talent and the world stage.

When given the opportunities to perform, Aussies continue to receive the plaudits. Whether we look at Antonio Arena scoring on his debut for AS Roma at just 16 years-old, or Mo Touré scoring a hatrick on his first start for Norwich City FC in the English Championship, Australia is clearly able to produce players of the highest quality.

Therefore, as Inter Milan begins to implement academy programs in Sydney and Adelaide, the future looks bright for players and coaches seeking elite footballing educations.

The passion and talent is here in abundance. All it needs is the leadership and environment to grow.

 

 

Mastering Influence: FVBL’s Networking Event Set to Empower Football Leaders

Football Victoria (FV) Business League powered by Sharp EIT Solutions opens its 2026 calendar with an event that addresses a core driver of success in sport and business: “The Power of Persuasion & Influence.” FV convenes a distinguished panel of leaders for an evening dedicated to real-world leadership, advanced negotiation tactics, and practical perspectives directly informed by top-level experience.

The Speakers

David Stevenson, CEO of the National Basketball League and “The Dealmaker,” brings more than twenty-five years of executive leadership to the discussion. His track record includes transformative commercial and operational roles at Nike, where he served as Vice President across multiple global business units, and at the AFL, where he led industry-defining initiatives such as Gather Round and AFL Finals. As CEO of the Western Bulldogs, Stevenson oversaw a landmark premiership year and drove record membership and revenue growth. Most recently, he has positioned the NBL as the fastest growing sports league in Australia, securing major broadcast partnerships and expanding fan engagement across the region.

Belinda Neil, “The Behavioural Expert,” offers unparalleled expertise in communication and crisis management. With eighteen years serving in the NSW Police, including roles as Hostage Negotiator, Undercover Operative, and Homicide Detective, she has cultivated advanced skills in behavioural analysis, conflict resolution and team leadership under pressure. Her post-policing career as an acclaimed author and sought-after corporate trainer further extends her impact, equipping organisations to manage critical negotiations and complex stakeholder interactions.

 

The panel will soon add “The Communicator,” a leader renowned in elite sports coaching, with an announcement forthcoming from Football Victoria.

FV Business League continues to provide a platform for senior decision-makers and professionals to access actionable strategies and genuine insight from proven leaders. Attendees will benefit from practical knowledge to elevate negotiation, leadership, and organisational influence across all commercial and sporting domains. Tickets are out now for April 24th at The Edge, Melbourne CBD.

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