Sam Kerr launches new football academy for Australian kids

Staff Writer
Sam Kerr Football
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Sam Kerr has announced the creation of her own football academy, to help develop the next generation of Matildas and Socceroos.

The program is named ‘Sam Kerr Football’, and will include business opportunities for people to purchase a franchise.

With the motto of ‘helping kids fall in love with football’, the academy will be tailored for children aged between three and 14.

“Sam Kerr Football incorporates a prescriptive but flexible football curriculum, along with broader health and wellbeing initiatives that are fundamental to player development,” a statement on the academy’s website read.

Kerr is already taking online registrations for the program, which will begin on football pitches across Australia sometime next year.

“Growing up, there weren’t opportunities for me to develop my game in a way that allowed me to be my best,” Kerr told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It wasn’t until I turned pro that I learnt things like how to nourish my body to perform at my best or how to manage my mental well-being. My hope is that delivering a comprehensive program that is more than just skill development will give young players the best chance to live out their potential as a player.”

“Being in the position I’m in today, I want to give back to the sport I love and to my young fans. It’s an incredible privilege to be able to share what I have learned to better the sport, to build a legacy, and to inspire and connect with the next generation of Australian footballers.”

“The program will be developed under my guidance with support from the best in the game both in Australia and around the world.”

The news comes after the Matildas had their most successful ever World Cup campaign, finishing fourth out of 32 competing nations.

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Weston Bears Park to Transform into a State-of-the-Art Sports Hub

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Weston Bears Park upgrade new clubroom facilities

The Weston Bears Park upgrade will deliver modern, accessible facilities for football players, spectators, and the local community in Newcastle. Construction is well underway and the project scheduled to finish by February 2026.

The upgrade is part of Cessnock City Council’s ongoing community projects. It will improve local sports infrastructure and support community engagement. Weston Bears Park hosts daily training and matches for Premier League and junior teams. Additionally, it serves as a venue for community events.

The project includes:

  • Refurbishing the grandstand to create new clubrooms, a canteen, office space, and members’ area

  • Building team change rooms, referee facilities, and a gym

  • Upgrading spectator amenities, including toilets and better access

  • Constructing a new car park and improving landscaping

The Weston Bears Facility Upgrade follows the adoption of the Weston Bears Park Masterplan in September 2020. Council consulted with Weston Bears Football Club, Weston Junior Football Club, Weston Workers Club, and the community. This ensured the upgrades meet the needs of all users.

Funding comes from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program and Council’s operational budget. This partnership shows a shared commitment to local sport and community wellbeing.

Cessnock City Council Mayor said: “This upgrade marks an exciting step for Weston Bears Park. It will provide modern, accessible facilities for everyone—from grassroots players to long-time supporters. We are proud to invest in infrastructure that brings people together and strengthens our sporting culture.”

Ultimately, the project will transform Weston Bears Park into a state-of-the-art sporting hub. Consequently, it will remain a key centre for football and community activity in Newcastle for many years.

Elite Coaching Secrets Revealed: Chris Ramsey MBE to Inspire Australian Youth Coaches

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Chris Ramsey MBE presenting youth coaching strategies

Football Coaches Australia has announced a special online CPD session featuring Chris Ramsey MBE on Monday, November 17th at 7:30 pm AEDT. The timing is significant: Ramsey will be joining the session immediately following his involvement with the FIFA U17 World Cup.

This means Australian coaches will receive fresh, real-world insights from one of the game’s most respected youth development experts while his observations are still current.

Elite Experience Meets Youth Development

Ramsey brings a rare dual perspective to the session. As a former Premier League coach and current Professional Development Phase Lead for England’s youth teams, he has worked across both elite senior and youth environments.

This combination gives him unique insight into what young players actually need to succeed at the highest levels. He’s not theorising about development pathways; he’s actively shaping them for England’s next generation of elite footballers.

The Maturation Factor

The session will focus on a critical but often misunderstood aspect of youth coaching: “The Need to Consider Growth and Maturation when Developing Young Players.”

Ramsey will explore how physical, psychological, and emotional maturity impact player performance. More importantly, he’ll share how the world’s best youth systems adapt their coaching to account for these differences.

This isn’t about treating all players the same. It’s about recognising that young athletes develop at different rates and adjusting coaching approaches accordingly.

Practical Takeaways From the World Stage

The U17 World Cup provides the perfect laboratory for observing these maturation differences in action. Players from different countries, backgrounds, and development systems compete at the same age level but often display vastly different levels of physical and mental maturity.

Ramsey will draw from these specific observations to illustrate how elite programs identify and work with these variations. Australian coaches attending the session will gain access to strategies currently being used at the highest levels of international youth football.

Session Details

The CPD session takes place on Monday, November 17th at 7:30 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time online. This represents a valuable opportunity for coaches to learn directly from someone actively working at the forefront of international youth development.

With Ramsey’s MBE recognition and his current role shaping England’s youth teams, the session offers Australian coaches a direct connection to elite European development thinking and practice.

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