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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Football NSW partners with Deploy for Association Championships

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Image credit: Deploy Football

In an announcement released on Thursday this week, Football NSW revealed Deploy as the Naming Rights Partner of the Football NSW Association Championships.

New competition, new talents

The Association Championships, set to take place in July 2026 at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee, will replace the former Association Youth League.

Although the tournament has changed name, its purpose remains consistent: giving youth players the platform to showcase their talent on the football pitch.

In a display of unity and collective ambition, 18 Associations across New South Wales will enter representative teams, each one featuring gifted grassroots players looking to prove themselves against their peers.

“The Deploy FNSW Association Championships will provide a fantastic platform for our Associations to come together and celebrate the best of elite community football,” said Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas via official press release.

“This tournament is all about giving young players, coaches, and referees from every corner of the state a chance to shine and develop in a competitive, supportive environment.”

The partnership between Deploy and Football NSW, therefore, is not merely about a name alteration. It is a collaboration which presents future grassroots talents with a platform and opportunity to compete.

 

Built on shared values

No partnership can succeed without both parties sharing a common goal or set of values. In this case, the alliance between Football NSW and Deploy is built on a commitment to supporting grassroots football and supplying players with quality resources and experiences to showcase their talent.

“Deploy is proud to partner with Football NSW as the Naming Rights Partner of the Association Championships. Community sport plays a vital role in bringing people together and building future leaders, both on and off the field,” explained Chief Commercial Officer at Deploy, Kurt Johnson.

“As long-time partners with Football NSW, this aligns perfectly with our strategy of creating balls designed for each age and skill level of the game, ranging from junior training balls to professional match balls perfect for the competitive environment like the Association Championships.”

Furthermore, with hundreds of participants including players, referees, coaches and supporters due to attend the tournament, the partnership’s impact will extend right across the state of New South Wales.

Victorian Parliament Hosts Landmark Launch Event for Level the Playing Field Initiative

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Image Credit: Football Victoria

Victoria’s football community gathered at Parliament House on Thursday for the launch of the Level the Playing Field initiative, bringing together government representatives, councils, administrators and grassroots clubs in a rare show of unity for the game.

Held in Queen’s Hall at Parliament House Melbourne, the event marked the formal introduction of the campaign and highlighted the growing collaboration between football stakeholders and government to support the sport’s rapid growth across the state.

The launch was organised through the Parliamentary Friends of Football Victoria, a newly established group aimed at strengthening ties between football and policymakers at federal, state and local levels.

Speaking at the event, co-convenor Anthony Cianflone emphasised the significance of bringing the sport’s diverse ecosystem together under one roof.

“This is the very purpose of establishing the Parliamentary Friends of Football Victoria,” he said.

“It’s about bringing together federal, state and local governments with the entire football ecosystem – something that has never been done before.”

Cianflone described the gathering as a historic moment for the sport in Victoria, noting that the state’s parliament had never previously hosted a dedicated football event of this scale.

“Queen’s Hall being booked out for football has never happened before,” he said. “Hopefully it leaves a lasting impression about what football means to local communities and why continued investment and support is so important.”

The event drew representatives from clubs across Victoria, alongside administrators and officials from across the football landscape, reflecting the sport’s deep grassroots foundations and broad community reach.

Leaders from Football Victoria also addressed the gathering, highlighting the role football plays in promoting health, social inclusion and community connection across the state.

The launch comes at a time of significant momentum for the sport nationally, following the record-breaking success of the Australia women’s national soccer team and growing participation numbers at grassroots level.

With football participation continuing to rise across Victoria, organisers said the event represented an important step toward strengthening collaboration between clubs, governing bodies and government to support the future of the game.

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