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.