GIS and ACPE join forces to strengthen football coaching and tactical development

The Global Institute of Sport (GIS) and Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) will support Hills Football Association in delivering a specialist coaching workshop designed to improve player development, tactical understanding and performance analysis.

Taking place on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at the ACPE campus in Sydney Olympic Park, the workshop will bring together experienced football coaches and performance analysts to explore practical approaches to developing players’ tactical awareness, decision-making and understanding of the game.

Titled Developing and Supporting Players’ Tactical Understanding, the event will run from 6pm to 8.30pm and feature two workshops focused on translating coaching theory and performance analysis into practical learning environments.

Former Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni, who has also led the national women’s teams of the United States, Canada and New Zealand, will present the first session, Working with International Players.

The workshop will examine how coaches can design training sessions that develop tactical execution under realistic match conditions, with an emphasis on practice design, player decision-making and effective coaching behaviours.

The second session, From Video to Understanding, will be facilitated by experienced performance analysts from GIS and ACPE.

Participants will explore how match footage can be used to strengthen tactical learning, encourage player reflection and develop independent decision-making.

The session will also examine how coaches can structure effective video reviews that align with coaching objectives and a team’s playing model.

Supporting the next generation of football coaches

The initiative highlights the growing importance of combining traditional coaching methods with modern performance analysis to support player development across Australian football.

As clubs and football organisations increasingly seek to improve coaching standards, access to practical education and industry expertise remains an important component of developing more effective learning environments.

The workshop is designed for coaches seeking player-centred approaches that encourage footballers to read the game, understand tactical situations and make better decisions on the pitch.

Participants will receive two hours of Football Australia Continuing Professional Development (CPD) recognition.

For GIS, the collaboration provides another opportunity to connect its specialist sports education and analytics expertise with the practical demands of football coaching.

The institute delivers postgraduate sports education through online learning and stadium-based campuses internationally, including Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and SCG.

Its Sydney offering includes the Master of Sports Analytics and Master of International Sports Business, supporting the development of professionals across the sporting industry.

ACPE, established in 1917 and based at Sydney Olympic Park, brings extensive experience in sport, health and physical education, with a strong emphasis on industry-focused learning and practical professional development.

Together with Hills Football Association, the two education providers aim to equip coaches with practical knowledge that can be applied directly within their football environments.

Event details

Event: Developing and Supporting Players’ Tactical Understanding
Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Time: 6pm to 8.30pm
Venue: ACPE Campus, 10 Parkview Drive, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
Presenter: Tom Sermanni
Facilitators: Performance analysts from ACPE and GIS
CPD: Two hours of Football Australia Continuing Professional Development

Coaches interested in attending are encouraged to register through the event’s official registration channel.

For more information about the education providers, visit Global Institute of Sport and Australian College of Physical Education.

Football NSW has supported 20 female coaches to complete their AFC/Football Australia C Diploma qualification in 2026, using scholarships funded through Football Australia and CommBank’s Growing Football Fund to reduce the cost of coach education.

The initiative included a dedicated female-only C Diploma course delivered by Football NSW in April and May, attended by 13 coaches. An additional seven received support to complete courses closer to their local communities, improving access for coaches across metropolitan and regional New South Wales.

Football NSW Head of Women’s and Schools Football Hayley Todd said the scholarships had helped address a key barrier to coaching development.

“These scholarships have helped remove a significant barrier for many female coaches seeking to progress their coaching journey,” Todd said.

Todd said the combination of a female-only course and support for locally accessible qualifications had created pathways for 20 women to develop their skills and contribute to football in their communities.

The program reflects an ongoing challenge for the sport: increasing women’s participation also requires investment in the coaches who lead teams, develop players and help shape club environments.

By helping cover qualification costs, the scholarships give recipients an opportunity to strengthen their coaching knowledge and leadership capabilities while expanding the pool of qualified female coaches available to clubs.

The support also connects to the wider Growing Football Fund, a joint Football Australia and CommBank initiative aimed at creating more opportunities for women and girls in the game.

The fund’s community grant program offers eligible clubs and associations grants of up to $5,000 to help attract or retain women and girls in football, with applications for the 2026–27 round closing on 20 October 2026.

The governing body also offers Women in Football Coaching Scholarships worth 50 per cent of course costs, with applications limited.

Football for every ability

The All Abilities Football Program welcomes children of all abilities, whether new to football or those who already love the game. Coaches from Middle Park FC and South Melbourne FC will deliver the sessions, helping participants develop football skills, build confidence and enjoy playing with others. The program places inclusion at its heart, aiming to create an environment where every child can participate, learn at their own pace and feel part of a team. This includes both blind and powerchair football, both of which South Melbourne has championed.

There is no participation fee to attend the sessions, giving families an opportunity to introduce their children to the sport without the financial commitment often associated with organised sport.

Building confidence and community connections

Sport can help children develop important social skills, form friendships and build confidence. A welcoming football environment can also give children opportunities to work with others, practice communication and celebrate achievement. For neurodivergent and disabled children, inclusive sporting opportunities can help create a stronger sense of belonging. They can take part in a team environment that recognises different abilities and encourages participation.

Families can also benefit from connecting with local clubs and other community members. These relationships can help build support networks and encourage more families to become involved in grassroots sport. The partnership between Middle Park FC and South Melbourne FC highlights how community clubs can work together to reduce barriers and create more inclusive opportunities.

How to register

Families can register their children through the online registration form shared by Middle Park FC and South Melbourne FC. The clubs have provided a Google Forms registration link in their original announcement. Families should use the form linked through the clubs’ official social media posts to access the full registration details. The link can also be found here.

The clubs also encourage families to share the opportunity with schools, support organisations and community groups that may know children who would benefit.

Creating a More Inclusive Football Community

The partnership between Middle Park FC and South Melbourne FC is an important step towards making grassroots football accessible to more children and those who are disabled. By offering free sessions in a supportive environment, the clubs are helping children build skills, make friends and experience the joy of playing football. The message is simple: everyone deserves the opportunity to belong, participate and thrive through sport.

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