Club Capability Workshop Wraps Up Successful Season Of Coach Development

Football NSW recently delivered its final Club Capability Workshop of the 2026 season, bringing together Technical Directors and Heads of Program to explore how clubs can further develop creativity and decision-making within their training environments.

Facilitated by Gareth Long from ACPE, the workshop challenged participants to consider how coaches can create player-centred environments that encourage problem-solving, creativity and effective decision-making.

Through a combination of discussion, collaboration and practical learning, attendees explored strategies for designing training activities that help develop intelligent footballers capable of adapting to the ever-changing demands of the game.

A key component of the workshop saw Club Technical Directors and Heads of Program work collaboratively to co-design sessions focused on improving decision-making in realistic, game-like situations.

Discussions centred on how training design, constraints and coaching interventions can influence learning outcomes, while also promoting greater player ownership and engagement throughout the learning process.

The practical component of the evening saw Football NSW’s Joe Fox deliver a pre-designed session with the Rydalmere FC Under-15 squad.

This provided attendees with an opportunity to observe how session design, coaching interventions and player decision-making can be effectively connected within a live training environment.

For Dulwich Hill FC’s Michael Grbevski, the workshops have provided an important opportunity for clubs to work together and share ideas rather than simply viewing one another as competitors.

“My takeaway from Monday was that if we all work together, sharing ideas, we can return to our environments better equipped to help our players become the best versions of themselves,” he said.

“Thank you for providing the tools for us to help them get better outcomes during training and games. Helping us understand the best ways to deliver information to our kids and players is key to helping them become better people and players.”

Football NSW would like to extend its sincere thanks to Rydalmere FC for hosting the workshop and providing excellent facilities for the evening.

Their support helped create an outstanding learning environment and allowed participants to connect the concepts discussed throughout the evening with their practical application on the pitch.

As the final Club Capability Workshop of the season, the event also provided an opportunity to recognise the ongoing commitment shown by Technical Directors, Heads of Program and clubs across the Football NSW community.

Their dedication to developing coaches and players, strengthening club environments and creating positive learning experiences for all stakeholders continues to play a vital role in Football NSW’s vision of developing the most effective youth football system in Australia.

Throughout the season, the Club Capability Workshop series has combined theory, collaboration and practical application to provide clubs with valuable tools, ideas and strategies to enhance player development.

Football NSW thanks all participants for their engagement, collaboration and commitment throughout the year and looks forward to continuing this important work with clubs across NSW in the seasons ahead.