Three-way global alliance set to take Australian football coaches and analysts to a new level

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Image provided by Football Coaches Australia

A new global partnership designed to take Australian football coaches and analysts to a new level of excellence was jointly announced today. Global Institute of Sport (GIS), Football Coaches Australia (FCA) and cutting-edge experiential learning firm XVenture have joined forces to provide unique opportunities for Australian football coaches and analysts to improve and accelerate their careers both here and abroad. Central to this collaboration is that upon completion of the immersive virtual reality based FCA XV Essential Skills Program, motivated Australian coaches and analysts can now be considered for entry into GIS’ pioneering MSc Football Coaching & Analysis Master’s degree. The FCA XV Essential Skills Program is made up of five modules covering:

  • Emotional Intelligence;
  • Leadership;
  • Communication;
  • Culture; and
  • Resilience.

The program is delivered in a self-paced online-based virtual world campus, with over 100 subjects brought to life as videos, podcasts, articles, websites and interactive e-books.

The modules cover universal themes and seamlessly integrate classic and contemporary models and thinking with each subject coloured with examples and cases from football, other sports and business globally.

This course aligns well with the themes of the MSc Football Coaching & Analysis Master’s program, which is also delivered in GIS’ inspirational campuses in the UK and US, which have Wembley, Etihad and DRZ PNK stadiums at their heart.

Brand new from January 2023, Australian coaching students will be able to study with GIS online with immersive face-to-face residentials once per year in Melbourne, including at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. In addition, GIS, FCA and XVenture have pledged to provide mutual guest speaker, placement and study tour opportunities for coaches to learn from their combined network of global football industry leaders.

Previous GIS guest speakers have included Harry Kewell, Gareth Southgate, Steven Gerrard and Hope Powell.

Glenn Warry, CEO of Football Coaches Australia, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Global Institute of Sport to provide enhanced progression opportunities for Australian football coaches and analysts. Aligning and integrating Australian football coach education and tertiary education pathways for coaches and other sports professionals is an important part of our strategy to enhance best practice, networking and high-performance capabilities of current and future Australian coaches. The future opportunity of partnering with GIS and XVenture to presenting high-performance coaching programs at world-class stadiums is exciting for all.”

The author of the FCA XV Essential Skills Program, XVenture Founder and CEO, Mike Conway, stated: “Having the opportunity to partner with a global sports education provider who is committed to providing best-in-class learning opportunities is fantastic. My team and I are passionate about developing accelerated experiential learning programs and we’re looking forward to working with GIS academics and students.” Mike is currently also working as the emotional agility and mind coach for the Australian National Football team, the Birmingham Phoenix Women’s team and the Adelaide 36ers NBL team.

Sharona Friedman, GIS President, added: “The aim of this partnership is to create an environment that helps to provide better and increased opportunities for Australian coaches, not just domestically but also globally. On top of this, it will also facilitate enhanced learning and career opportunities for GIS students studying on campus in the UK and online across the globe.”

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Off the Pitch Podcast: The Art of Meditation in Sports with Chris Shen

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Image Credit: Christopher Shen Consulting

On Episode 14 of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch Podcast, sports psychologist and martial arts master Chris Shen explored the topics of mental health in athletes, his long martial arts journey and the psychology behind returning from injuries or a mistake in a particular match.

In the fun but detailed discussion, meditation before a game was one of the many topics that Shen explored, with a focus on its effectiveness and the best time to do it.

“I absolutely love this practice. I recognise that everybody is different, so not all athletes or sports people will enjoy the same particular mental habit,” he said.

“Regardless of the actual sport, when I’m working with a team in a competition, I will run a group mindfulness session in the pregame for 5 to 6 minutes.

“I always prefer athletes doing it pregame before any coaches address or individual preparation.”

Shen expanded on the importance of staying calm and in control before playing a sport.

“Mindfulness is just an attention oriented form of meditation based on centuries old practices that enables people to interrupt the chaos of the real world. Also enables them to calm themselves, focus, and then be able to prepare and listen to the coaches and so forth.” he said.

“Any way of creating calm and relaxation, which enables you to focus, can be very powerful.”

Sports psychology plays a crucial role in football, particularly at the semi-professional and professional levels, where the mental side of the game can often determine performance.

Understanding how athletes think, focus, and recover mentally is just as important as physical preparation in achieving success on the pitch.

Click hear the full interview with Chris Shen, on Episode 14 of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch Podcast – available on all major podcasting platforms.

SIXT vehicles set to join Macarthur FC

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Image credit: Macarthur FC

Macarthur Bulls FC has announced a new partnership with leading car and truck rental company SIXT, which will join the club as its official transport partner for the next two A-League seasons.

SIXT will feature across multiple platforms for the Bulls after signing the agreement, including front-of-shirt branding on the club’s A-League playing kits, extensive match-day signage and digital activations.

Managing Director of SIXT NSW, Murari Rijal expressed how the partnership will support the grassroots community of the Bulls FC Academy through to the professional level.

“Football has an incredible reach, from grassroots through to the elite level, and this partnership gives SIXT the opportunity to drive meaningful engagement with fans while showcasing our premium transport solutions,” Rijal said in a press release.

“We are especially proud to stand behind our local young players, who represent not only the future of Australian football but also the future of our community.”

Macarthur FC members and fans will be able to access deals and discounts on SIXT rentals nationally throughout the two-year term of the partnership.

Additionally, SIXT vehicles will play a role in driving the Bulls’ community programs across South West Sydney, helping the club with football clinics, school visits, and grassroots initiatives.

Chief Commercial Officer of Macarthur FC, Mark Jensen also shared enthusiasm for the support SIXT will provide for the club’s community programs and youth development.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to growth, innovation, and creating memorable experiences for our members, fans, and community to help drive football across our community,” he said in a press release.

“We thank SIXT NSW for putting their trust in us to grow football and community engagement across South West Sydney.”

The agreement will ensure SIXT’s logo will appear on the sleeve of all Bulls FC Academy teams, including their 17 academy team squads.

SIXT aims to provide a strong presence at the Bulls’ match days at Campbelltown Sports Stadium by engaging fans with interactive precinct experiences.

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