Western NSW hosts Successful Coaching Workshop
Representatives of Football Australia’s Technical Department recently visited Western NSW and held a workshop at Orange for the region’s youth coaches.
Despite wet conditions, coaches working in the MiniRoos age group (4-11 years) attended a highly successful session led by Football Australia’s Kevin Grima and Football NSW’s Andrew Fearnley.
The workshop focused on the ‘Circuit Method’ as a practical approach to expose children to a range of fun games and activities in the one session.
On the previous evening, the Western NSW FC Under 13 Boys’ team were invited to participate and pilot a new Talent Identification testing format at Proctor Park, Bathurst.
It is proposed that this standardised format will be utilised to contribute to the identification of talented youth players from other remote areas in Australia, thereby providing an opportunity for regional players to showcase their potential and qualities to FA and Member Federation technical staff.
Also in attendance on the trip was Marius Papi, FA’s Junior Programs Officer – MiniRoos, who took the opportunity to meet with regional association representatives in Orange and Bathurst in support of the wonderful work that they are doing with their various junior programs.
“This was a great opportunity to have staff from Football Australia visit one of our regional areas, and the workshop was of great benefit to the coaches who attended,” said Football NSW’s Development Manager, Regional Football, Andrew Fearnley.
“It is our hope that this has provided those who attended other options and practices to integrate into their own sessions, and they will in turn will share with other coaches within their own clubs, all in the aim of improving both player development and overall enjoyment in our game.”
Football Australia’s Boys Youth Development Manager, Kevin Grima added, “Our recent trip to Bathurst and Orange in support of the work of the many community coaches, and to identify talented players in regional Australia, exemplifies our intentions to service regional areas.
“It also highlights a strong collaboration amongst our football ecosystem with both Football Australia and Football NSW working together to reach out to these outlying regional areas.”
Football NSW and Football Australia will look to take this to other regional Associations later this year once the various COVID restrictions are lifted.
