Northern NSW Football paves the way for future coaches with all-female coaching course

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Northern NSW all-female coaching
Image via Northern NSW Football

Northern NSW Football are setting up the future for female coaches in the region, with a group of coaches taking part in a Northern NSW Football all-female coaching course at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.

The Women in Football Scholarship Program is helping the participants receive the opportunity to take part in the first stages of the Football Australia ‘C’ Diploma Course, regardless of experience or background.

The scholarship’s main goal is to upskill women in non-playing roles and enhance voices within our football community, and this is the first step in terms of female coaching.

NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge presented over the course of three weekends, with Newcastle Jets Goalkeeper Coach Greg Lowe delivering a session as a special guest on one of the course days.

The course, available to coaches 18 years and older, gave candidates an understanding of the National Curriculum and Football Australia’s vision and philosophy.

The Football Australia ‘C’ Licence course focuses on the technical aspects of the game, which includes teaching the techniques of passing, receiving, striking the ball and running with the ball, along with defending techniques to regain possession.

Participants were introduced to the concept of teaching behaviour in different types of practice methods as part of the education program.

NNSWF Talent Development Coordinator Joseph Wright discussed the importance of using the $10m Legacy Fund to good use for the future of coaching.

“By providing all-female courses such as the All-Female ‘C’ Diploma, we can provide an environment where female coaches can connect with like-minded coaches with shared experiences,” Wright said in a Northern NSW Football press release.

“We have seen a greater uptake of female coaches since the introduction of all-female courses leading to increased visibility across all environments.”

The importance of creating new coaches in the women’s game is vital and with the goal of creating a 50/50 split in terms of gender participation by the end of 2026, this course using the Women’s Legacy Fund money will fast-track the ever important coaching aspect of the game.

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More than 220 coaches attend Football South Australia’s second NOVA Youth Club Championship workshop

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Image Credit: FQ

Football South Australia drew more than 220 coaches to its second NOVA Youth Club Championship Coaches Workshop in late May, underlining the scale of engagement clubs are generating through the state’s restructured youth competition framework.

The online session was facilitated by Football SA Technical Director Michael Cooper, who also serves as Junior Matildas Head Coach. Cooper shared observations from the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup and Australia’s qualification for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, giving club-level coaches a window into the demands and standards of elite international football.

The presenter line-up extended that international lens further. Lachlan Tosh and Cristiano Dos Santos spoke to their experiences in national tournament environments, while legendary Australian coach Tom Sermanni addressed the fundamentals of youth coaching. Colin Sanctuary from the University of Newcastle examined coaching language and its direct influence on player learning.

Themes running across the session included the primacy of long-term player development over short-term results, with presenters consistently emphasising technique, ball mastery, individual improvement, and decision-making under pressure. Coaches were encouraged to expose players to varied styles of play, facilitate practice outside organised training, and help young players retain possession longer in match conditions.

Post-session feedback pointed to strong practical value, with coaches singling out clear communication, relationship-building, and age-appropriate feedback as key takeaways.

The workshop series sits within the broader transition from the Youth Premier League to the Club Championship model, which ties coaching participation to championship points for clubs and CPD credits toward individual coaching diplomas. Six workshops are scheduled across the season, with four still to come.

Premier League backs grassroots football in Singapore

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Image credit: Premier League

The NEXTGEN coach programme saw past legends and current coaches unite to deliver an activity intent on supporting grassroots football through high quality and inclusive coaching.

 

Creating new leaders

To reach the top in elite football requires tactical education, personal guidance and consistent support throughout the development journey.

Coaches therefore take on a great deal of responsibility for players seeking a top-flight dream.

Yet even for those who never make it to the top, there is always one coach who stands out. Not necessarily for the silverware achieved or results on the pitch, but for the way they helped build a person off the pitch to play better on it.

The Premier League’s NEXTGEN Coach programme in Singapore aims to equip coaches with the skills and knowledge to do exactly that: creating welcoming environments which nurture confidence and a love for the game.

“This will hugely benefit local coaches, providing them with expert training and skills that will cascade into the communities they coach in,” said Premier League Director of Community, Nick Perchard, via media release.

“After opening the League’s first international office in Singapore more than seven years ago, we are now building on our commitment to the country with a structured coach development programme.”

 

What does the programme include?

The programme initially saw Premier League coaches deliver training sessions to coaches from StarHub – the League’s broadcast partner in Singapore who engage with local community football.

Furthermore, the training was consolidated through stakeholder engagement events and talks from 150 students at the Institute of Technical Education about their careers in the game.

In total, the programme saw 30 coaches take part – all from diverse backgrounds selected by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to maximise community reach and positively impact as many young individuals as possible.

“Youth development is a key priority for FAS, and it starts at the grassroots level,” explained FAS General Secretary, Badri Ghent via media release.

“Coaches play a central role in shaping not just how young players learn the game, but how they experience it, building confidence, character and a lifelong connection to football.”

Through high quality programmes like NEXTGEN, grassroots football can grow to ensure future coaches and players are confident in themselves and their future roles in the game.

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