INSPIRE FC announce 2022 Grassroots Coaching Conference

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INSPIRE FC have announced their Grassroots Coaching Conference for 2022.

INSPIRE FC was established by the Northern Suburbs Football Association (NSFA) with the focus of delivering best-practice coach education, support and development to the 1,200 coaches in the region.

The INSPIRE FC Grassroots Coaching Conference 2022 aims to provide grassroots coaches access to world class coach development opportunities, centred around the theme of ‘coaching to inspire a love of football’.

The INSPIRE FC platform has been built to support Australian grassroots football coaches as they begin, develop, and take their next steps in their coaching journey. The platform and content is aimed at grassroots coaches, from ‘the last to step back’, those with a few years’ experience and to those that are aspirational in their coaching.

The NSFA will provide the knowledge, behaviours, and activities for coaches to create safe, organised, enjoyable and engaging environment for their players.

The conference will be the launch event for INSPIRE FC at the start of the Australian grassroots football season, providing conference subscribers the perfect launch pad for the season ahead and enabling users to revisit content and educational workshops throughout the year.

The INSPIRE FC platform endeavours to become the ‘Netflix of coach development’, giving users access to over 100 videos to support them on their journey.

The Conference will take place on March 19 2022, with a start time of 9am Sydney time and concluding at 3:30pm. Following the conclusion of the online event, all of the conference footage will be available to watch on-demand for all ticket holders.

The conference will be hosted by media personalities Daniel Garb and Niav Owens, with Chelsea FC coach Emma Hayes confirmed as a keynote speaker.

For further information around speakers please follow this link.

Secure your early bird tickets for $45, before the early bird pricing closes on February 1. After this date, the general admission cost of the Conference will be $55 for your ticket.

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FCA Coaching Workshop: The 2v1 Advantage with Dr Ron Smith

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Image Credit: Football Coaches Australia Facebook

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) is proud to present The Advantages of Creating 2v1s in the Modern Game — a dynamic, hands-on coaching workshop led by Dr Ron Smith.

The session took place on Saturday, at the Home of the Matildas & Victorian State Football Centre.

With the continued support of Football Australia, this session contributes 1 CPD hour towards coach reaccreditation — an excellent opportunity to grow your knowledge and keep your qualifications up to date.

Dr Ron Smith, often referred to as the godfather of coaching in Australian football, brings an extraordinary breadth of experience to the field. His résumé includes roles as Technical Director at Football Australia and various Member Federations, Head Coach at the AIS, Assistant Coach and Analyst for the Socceroos, and coaching stints in Iceland, Malaysia, and Perth Glory. A true student of the game, Ron also holds a doctorate in how goals are scored.

This workshop offered a rare chance to learn from Ron “Smudger” Smith in a practical, pitch-side setting. His generous approach to coach education makes this session a must-attend event for anyone looking to deepen their tactical understanding.

The Advantages of Creating 2 v 1’s in the Modern Game:
Smith’s workshop consisted of three engaging 30–35 minute sessions, featuring Football Victoria Academy players in a 9v9 plus goalkeeper format. The sessions focused on:
  • When and how to create a 2v1 situation
  • How positioning influences decision-making and improves performance
  • How to use available space in the final third

These learnings are designed to provide coaches with actionable strategies applicable across both community and professional environments.

Official launch of Football West Academy

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Image credit: Football West

The Football West Academy was officially launched by Football West at the Sam Kerr Football Centre last week. The event brought together over 130 young players, their parents, coaches, and staff at the top-tier Queens Park venue.

Football West’s General Manager – Football, David Lewis, took the stage to outline the Academy model, its vision, and what it aims to achieve.

The program is being led by Football Development Officer Neil Kilkenny, in collaboration with Policy and Advocacy Manager Garth Naven.

Drawing on his experience as a former Socceroo and Premier League player, now a UEFA A-Licence coach, he highlighted the exciting opportunities ahead for the young athletes and the commitment required to reach the elite level.

“I’m big on standards, that’s the one thing I will be pushing,” Kilkenny said at the event.

“I’ve always had an interest in coaching. I want to give back to the young players coming through in WA, and hopefully I can contribute and help them realise their dreams.”

Football Australia teamed up with Football West, as well as the state bodies from South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria, to co-pilot the Academy program.

The program, part of a nationwide initiative, gives boys aged 12–15 and girls aged 12–18 access to elite training and a clear pathway to higher-level competition and national opportunities.

Throughout their development journey, players will be supported by top-tier coaching staff, as Football Australia works with FIFA and the AFC to establish Australian coaching credentials as globally respected qualifications.

Football West Academy is committed to developing top-tier players and preparing them to thrive in a professional sporting environment.

The system for player development includes:

  • The FIFA Talent Development Scheme
  • The Emerging Socceroos Championships and Emerging Matildas Championships (formerly the National Youth Championships)
  • selection for the Australia U17 boys and girls national team

With the guidance of experienced coaches and a pathway to professional competition, the Football West Academy is set to shape the future of Australian football, cultivating the stars of tomorrow and ensuring they are fully prepared for the professional sporting world.

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