John Moriarty Football supported by Football NSW and Tom Sermanni

Football NSW & John Moriarty

Last week, Football NSW assisted John Moriarty Football in their outstanding work in Dubbo and the surrounding areas in a number of special activities.

A number of Community Coaching Workshops were conducted as a part of a week-long dedication to football at both the Narromine Sports Complex for the Narromine Soccer Club and the Westside Panthers Club.

An additional trip was made to the township of Peak Hill, where JMF led a range of school holiday clinics for excited youngsters.

The Football NSW team who attended the event were headed up by Football NSW Technical Director Warren Grieve and Regional Football Manager Andrew Fearnley, with former Matildas and current Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni appearing as a special guest.

Coaches from the Narromine Soccer Club and the Westside Panthers Club were treated to information evenings aimed at further developing and upskilling them with a focus on fostering natural development.

Enthusiastic grassroots coaches in attendance had the opportunity to discuss with the technical staff key points around the ‘Discovery Phase’ (coaching children aged 5-9) for the upcoming grassroots season.

Football NSW has actively supported John Moriarty Football’s coaches in recent years with tailormade coaching development courses focused on guiding them through their Indigenous clinic-based programs and providing development workshops targeting best practices on and off the pitch.

In a sign of the growing popularity of the game and of the immense work being done by John Moriarty Football, club officials and volunteers, Peak Hill FC will field a number of MiniRoos teams in the competition based out of Parkes for the first time in 15 years.

“Whilst supporting the JMF coaches, it has also been a great opportunity to provide regional clubs and communities with discovery phase workshops tailored to providing safe, fun, and engaging training sessions,” Football NSW Technical Director Warren Grieve said.

Football Ferns boss Tom Sermanni, who is currently preparing his side for their Tokyo Olympics campaign, reaffirmed the positive and enjoyable atmosphere of the experience.

“The week has been great. I have had a fantastic few days at the JMF clinics and seen some terrific talent on display across all ages.”

“Furthermore, the various coaches involved and their ability to teach, motivate and interact with the players was outstanding and I look forward to hearing of how they progress in the coming years on their own coaching journey.”

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WA announce TV series for Sam Kerr’s children’s novels

A new TV series based on Sam Kerr’s children’s books ‘Kicking Goals’ is set to begin filming in early 2027 in Western Australia.

The show follows a young Kerr before she became captain of the Matildas and a star at Chelsea FC. Set in her home state of WA, the story sees her navigate her way through growing up and chasing her dreams, alongside her family and friends, and the adventures that entailed.

Speaking to Screenwest, Kerr said, ‘It’s pretty surreal knowing that Kicking Goals is being adapted into a TV series. These stories are all about believing in yourself and having a go, so it feels really special that a whole new generation will get to experience them on screen.’

Co-authored by Fiona Harris, the books have been a success since their initial release in 2021, a period which has coincided with Kerr and her Matildas teammates growing from beloved within Australia’s football community, into a team of genuine national appeal and recognition. They are available nation-wide, sold at major retailers such as Big W and Dymocks.

The television adaptation will beproduced by Orange Entertainment for Paramount+.

‘Kicking Goals’ is set to inject AUD 5million into the WA economy and provide over 130 local jobs.

Creative Industries Minister of WA, Simone McGurk, said via WA GOV, ‘The series will showcase all that Western Australia has to offer – including our world-class talent, crew, and diverse locations – while celebrating the story of one of our sporting greats.’

Casting is currently underway, with a search for a young Kerr and her mates ongoing.

The months after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australian and New Zealand saw an 11% increase in women and girl’s participation in football compared to the previous year, showing the direct impact the biggest stage can have on grassroots football.

Kerr has managed to build on that success and begin a new chapter, inspiring kids both on and off the field.

Former Socceroos captain set to headline coaching conference

Mark Milligan – former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning manager – is set to be the guest of honour at the 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, held at Valentine Sports Park from November 21st–22nd.

The annual conference represents Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches, and is set to include expert insight into coaching, practical sessions and development plans for attendees. Milligan will partake in a Q&A session with MC Stephanie Brantz on November 21, adding significant gravitas to the conference.

Chris Gallo, Football NSW Coach Education Manager spoke highly of Milligan via Football NSW.

‘Opportunities to hear from people who have experienced the game at the highest level are incredibly valuable for our coaches. Mark brings a unique perspective on leadership, performance and the demands of elite football, and we want our coaches to be able to take those insights back into their own environments,’ he said.

Milligan traversed the globe across a near-twenty year professional career that started in the old National Soccer League, concluded in the A-League, and took in time across Europe, the UK and Asia.

He represented the Socceroos with distinction across 80 appearances, selected by four seperate managers in World Cup squads, and was captain of the Olympic team in 2008. His nascent managerial career has already seen two trophies at Newcastle, where he is presently leading them in the Asian Champions League.

But it all began on the local pitches of Bankstown. Milligan is an authentic, home-grown product of Football NSW, and emblamatic of the rewards that can be reaped from investing in the beginning of a player’s journey.

With the conference already selling out, attendees can now expect to learn plemty from one of Australia’s most exciting, up-and-coming coaches.

The opportunity Football NSW are providing showcases their commitment in helping coaches develop, and their continued pledge of giving back to the game at its foundation.

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