football

grassroots football: the state of play

Through our time spent working within the local football community as both players and coaches; and consulting stakeholders within the community, we have identified three major needs of grassroots football in the Central Tablelands, and we’re dedicated to filling these gaps.

Goalkeeper-Specific Training

Goalkeepers are often overlooked in grassroots football, with an emphasis on outfield players and a lack of goalkeeper coaching expertise. Whilst it's important not to 'pigeon hole' players into positions too early, we believe we can provide development opportunities for both established and emerging goalkeepers. Our Goalkeeper Skills Centre, provides an aligned, coordinated approach for junior players, aged 8-12 years old wishing to access a high quality, enjoyable goalkeeper specific training experience that enhances their skill development. Our curriculum addresses the core skills goalkeepers need in both attacking and defending, as well as the two constants of positioning and communication.

Creating More Opportunities for Girls

There is no doubt the recent success of the Matildas national women’s team, the Women’s World Cup in 2023, and the increased accessibility and media coverage of women’s professional football is having an impact on female football participation. Between 2023 and 2024, registrations of women and girls across NSW increased 18 per cent. However, societal messages often reduce sports to a means of fitness or appearance, reinforcing cultural stereotypes that discourage competition and physical performance. The pressure and unwanted attention girls face in sports can make it feel burdensome rather than enjoyable. It’s an important moment that requires a strategic approach to develop female football and promote life-long sports participation. We’re committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for girls to play and develop skills together, build confidence and recognise sport as more than just about appearance and fitness.

Our Female Football Strategy is informed by current research in this space, and outlines our mission, program offerings and future aims. Click HERE to view the document. To find out more about the programs currently on offer, press PLAY.

Quality Coaching: Accessible, Affordable and Effective

The Central Tablelands, like many regional areas, face unique challenges when it comes to football. The simple geography makes it difficult for players and parents to access programs and opportunities that are found in every suburb in Sydney. In many cases, football within our local context is driven by the essential work of volunteer parents and members. Time, money and football knowledge and expertise is limited and spread thin. This inevitably leads to parents and players seeking out football opportunities and resources through travel, representative teams, or expensive coaching programs.

We want to give MORE players QUALITY coaching much EARLIER in their journey, by making our programs, accessible, affordable and engaging. This will result in a greater number of skilful, confident players who are passionate about the sport and participating long term.

Our approach to coach education is unique and backed by our Director with over 12 years in the education sector. As a teacher he will admit that the vast majority of learning that occurs for educators is in the classroom, through hands-on practice. Our coach education approach embraces this ideal by combining player and coach workshops, inviting coaches to our skills centres, and making ongoing mentoring timely and efficient. Our coaches learn by doing; receiving hands-on experience with our support and advice in real time.

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