our history

In 1939, the Gladesville-Ryde club appointed the first Professional Soccer Coach in Australia, Bobby Walker, who had played professionally in Scotland for Motherwell FC and Falkirk FC.

Eric Worthington, National Director of Coaching Report in the 1984 Annual report states “… need for the formation of an Association of (professional) coaches”.

Historically, Football Coaches Australia was formed on the day that the Australian male international “A” representative team qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2018, having been coached to the World Cup by an Australian national football coach, Ange Postecoglou.

Ongoing discussions with a cross-section of professional Australian coaches over the October-December 2017 period resulted in a resounding endorsement of the formation of an association.

FCA will provide coaches with industry recognition as a significant stakeholder in Australian football, a platform for a “collective coaches’ voice” and professional support – particularly in legal advocacy, high performance, leadership, development and well-being.

After many months of careful planning and working with our prospective members across Australia, and with our coaches working abroad, FCA unveiled the Interim Executive Committee.

The interim committee was elected during the organisation’s inaugural meeting, held on November 15 at Macquarie University in Sydney. They represent the many coaching cohorts in Australian football, including A-League, W-League, National Teams, Youth Development, Academy Development, NPL Clubs, Overseas-based coaches, Education and High Performance.

As part of the process to establish a Congress Review Working Group to review membership of the FFA Congress, a Football Coaches Australia delegation met with representatives of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation in Sydney in February, 2018.

FCA sought representation, not only on behalf of coaches, but as an active voice which advocates for higher standards across the entire sport. FCA was represented at the meeting by interim directors, Glenn Warry and James Kitching, alongside FCA Interim Executive Committee members Spencer Prior, Warren Grieve and Kelly Cross. Other FCA ExCo members joined the meeting via teleconference. The FCA delegation warmly welcomed both the FIFA and AFC representatives to Australia and was pleased by the highly productive exchange of ideas.

“FCA presented our strategic plan to FIFA and the AFC and put forward our key priorities with regards to delivering better outcomes for coaches,” FCA CEO Glenn Warry said, “all FCA and member federation coaching delegates present expressed the same view: that coaches have had no historical voice in the management of the game, which is unacceptable given the fundamental importance of what coaches do.”

Football Coaches Association (FCA) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) are committed to working with a “unity of purpose” for the benefit of the game after agreeing to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Sharing a commitment to pursue the highest standards of professionalism in Australian football, the MOU commits the FCA and PFA to maintain a close working relationship between players and licensed coaches and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 May 2018.

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) announced that it had formally elected its inaugural board, following the organisation’s historic first Annual General Meeting, held in Sydney on Thursday, July 2018

Highly-respected Australian football coach Phil Moss was formally elected as FCA’s first President. Moss, 46, has previously managed A-League club Central Coast Mariners and was most recently the Assistant Coach for Sydney FC.

 “I’m extremely thankful & humbled to be handed the opportunity to lead as the inaugural FCA President,” Moss said. “Having coached at all levels of the game in Australia it’s a project very close to my heart & one that seemed but a pipe-dream up until a year ago.

“I’m a football coach who has stood in a lawyer’s office fighting my fight with zero support & I’m so proud to say no Australian coach will now be forced to stand in those shoes moving forward.

“We take our place in the game very seriously & FCA will strive to give coaches the support & tools they require to survive & thrive in a job that is so unique & complex in its own way. 

“I’d like to congratulate my colleagues, especially vice-president Rae Dower, on their election to the inaugural FCA executive committee and thank our interim ExCo for guiding the organisation to this stage.”

Australian U-17 Women’s National Football Team coach Rae Dower was elected as the organisation’s vice-president. 

I’m also very humbled to be elected as the inaugural Vice President of Football Coaches Australia. I am looking forward to supporting Phil, the FCA Exco and all Australian coaches to be recognised as a fundamental stakeholder of the beautiful game.

Also elected to the FCA Board were Canberra United FC W-League Head Coach Heather Garriock, Brisbane Roar FC W-League Head Coach Mel Andreatta, Head of Development at Football West, Jamie Harnwell, former Head of High Performance at Sydney FC Andrew Clark and Sydney FC’s Academy Director, Kelly Cross.

The Congress Review Working Group (CRWG), published its final report on 7 August 2018.

FCA supported the governance reform in Australian football and the direct implementation of Article 15 (j) of the FIFA Statutes which would ultimately lead to a broader, balanced representation of Australian football stakeholders on the FFA Congress and with the ability to vote at the FFA AGM.

FCA also welcomed the recommendations that the FFA Board (directly elected by stakeholders) remain independent in line with best-practice Australian corporate governance standards and that a timeline be established for the corporate separation of the FFA and the A-League.

However, FCA was most disappointed that coaches were effectively excluded from the governance structure envisioned by the CRWG, being recognised as a “Special Interest Group”.

This accorded with the manner in which coaches have historically been forgotten in the organisation and structure of Australian football – and was very reason underpinning the creation of the FCA.

In this regard, the CRWG report noted that ‘coaches standing committees’ – which the FFA has argued represented coaches in the existing FFA Congress – were not established in five Member Federations, and was non-active in another Member Federation.

FCA expressed concern about the (4-5 year) qualification processes proposed by the CRWG for ‘Special Interest Groups’ (effectively, those stakeholders not invited to form part of the CRWG) to become “Full Members” of the FFA Congress.

In accordance with Section 6.3 (c) of the Football Federation Australia (FFA) Constitution (dated 16 October 2018) (Constitution), Football Coaches Australia Inc. (FCA):

(i)   formally applied to become a Qualifying Member of the FFA (Refer Application letter);

(ii)  registered its intent to represent the ‘special interest group’ of (Australian licensed) football coaches within the FFA; and

(iii)   addressed compliance with the Qualifying Member Criteria in Schedule 1 to this letter.(plus relevant attachments)

Football Coaches Australia formally registered its intent to become a representative member of a Special Interest Group of Football Federation Australia and submitted a formal application to become a qualifying member of Football Federation Australia.

The submission demonstrated FCA’s intention of establishing the coach association’s institutional integrity of any new member, that is (1) commitment, (2) capacity and (3) capacity to professionally represent, govern and manage their constituents having regard and respect to integrity, transparency, accountability and diversity.

As a qualifying member, FCA could potentially now be a member of a FFA Standing Committee.

The purpose of the AGM was to receive and consider the Annual Financial Report of FFA, report on the Annual activities of FFA, inform the members of the FFA annual budget and elect up to four directors to the FFA Board.

The members also considered, and passed resolutions to grant qualifying member status to Football Coaches Australia (FCA) and the Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) under the FFA constitution.
FCA now looked forward to progressing its pathway to becoming an Associate/ Provisional Member and ultimately towards a full member.

In February 2019 FCA liaised with all Member Federations, the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, and the Australian Association of Football Clubs to further the discussion regarding the implementation of standard grievance procedures and standard contracts for professional coaches as soon as possible.

FCA drafted the Association’s following policy positions relating to these employment-related
positions.

In March 2019 Football Coaches Australia registered with the Australian Sports Foundation to gain deductible gift recipient status

The aim of registering with ASF is to support Football Coaches Australia to raise funds for the Association’s projects.

The Australian Sports Foundation is uniquely positioned to enable philanthropic support to Australian sport by providing tax deductibility for donations made to projects signed up with them. ASF is the only organisation that can provide a tax deduction for donations to sport across Australia.

Football Coaches Australia partnered with The Football Coaching Network to host regular football functions to talk about the game and provide influential coaches, within our game, with the opportunity to present as keynote speakers or panel presenters.

TFBN will also support FCA to hold unique events recognising the achievements of Australian professional and community football coaches.

The Football Business Network is a platform for like-minded corporate executives who have a passion for the round ball game to come together.  Whether this is to look at business opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, discuss ideas with Australian professional football coaches – or just a place to socialise and talk all things football.

FCA’s first ‘pop up event was held at the Sydney CBD Hotel on Thursday 16th May.

FCA entered into a partnership with International Football Coaching Conference Australia (IFCCA) regarding their inaugural football conference, which was held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast on Saturday 25 May and Sunday 26 May, 2019.

FCA held discussions with the Association Football Coaches and Trainers (AFCAT) to partner with Football Coaches Australia and to become FCA Victoria on July 1, 2019. FCA and AFCAT are currently formalising a Memorandum of Understanding regarding this partnership.

During the partnership transition the current two hundred (200) AFCAT members were recognised as FCA Associate members.

A not for profit organisation, AFCAT was founded in October 2012 by a group of coaches, & headed by their hard working Executive Ian Greener, Harry Bingham, Frank McGrellis and Rolando Navas, who volunteer their time to provide opportunities for coaches to have access to coaching material from around the world. The coach association also has provided numerous opportunities for coaches to network and collaborate with other coaches of all levels.

PFA agreed to provide FCA members with shared access to PFA national wellbeing support services. 

PFA Members have access to a variety of wellbeing programs and services designed to provide critical support in times of need but also to assist them in dealing with the demands of professional sport both on and off the pitch.

FCA will be able to access the same ‘confidential counselling and psychological support services to assist in dealing with a variety of challenges’ that coaches may also be facing, including:

1. Addiction
2. Anxiety
3. Depression
4. Relationship breakdown
5. Grief
6. Transition
7. Medical Support & Screenings

FCA welcomed new committee members Gary Cole, Sarah West, Belinda Wilson and Ian Greener. FCA thanked Rae Dower, Mel Andreatta, Kelly Cross, Andrew Clark and for their significant contribution as Executive Committee members over the past 12 months.

In accordance with the FCA Constitution, the FCA Executive Committee appointed three independent members to the Exco for the term: Karen Grega; Nicholas Rosamilia; and Brad Crismale. The FCA Executive Committee also appointed its Member, Heather Garriock, to the vacant position of Vice-President.

This first survey implemented by UQ was designed to capture information around the working environments of licensed coaches registered with Football Federation Australia.

UQ produced an Advance Coach Employment conditions report based on the survey response data. The information collected from this survey was used to identify strategies to provide support to Advanced licensed football coaches. 

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) presented the findings and recommendations derived from an independent study conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ), into employment conditions and the well-being of football coaches in Australia.

FCA were pleased that the UQ recommendations concurred with its core constitutional objectives and ongoing mission to ensure coaches are recognised and respected within the Australian football landscape.

The full UQ report is available for download from the FCA website here.

Soccerscene and Football Coaches Australia (FCA) announced a formal media partnership commencing as of 6 July 2020. The media partnership was based on a mutual alignment of key values, including a desire to promote the growth of Australian football domestically and its reputation on the world stage.

The agreement will see the organisations collaborate across three key areas to provide ‘Community, Connection and Camaraderie’ within the coaching network to enable coaches to perform their role and best promote our great game.

Importantly FFA and FCA agreed to collaborate to deliver aligned technical education and professional development programs for Advance Licence and Community coaches at all levels.

For further information read the full media release on the FCA website.

FCA and the AIFC recognised each other as developing Associations and, in particular over the past year, engaged in dialogue on the major issues within, and affecting, the football ecosystem in Australia and India.

FCA and the AIFC committed to cooperate to build careers in football in a professional and economically sustainable manner, and to ensure that coaching roles are properly safeguarded and attractive to Australia’s and India’s best talent. 

Both Associations recognised the influential role and powerful position that coaches play in the lives and livelihoods of footballers, with particular attention to those children and young adults in their care. 

With the upcoming 2023 FIFA WWC, FCA and AIFC seek to lead the way in developing best practice systems to support all Associations and their member coaches in the Asian region, and in particular, the advancement of female coaches.

For further information read the full media release on the FCA website.

McFlynn was delighted to formally join the organisation after contributing in an unofficial capacity for three years.

In addition to welcoming McFlynn to its Executive Committee, FCA’s AGM served as a platform to reflect on the organisation’s positive growth over the last 12 months and map out its key objectives for the future.

The association, which now boasts 382 members, reported major progress across three major pillars of focus – Governance, Advocacy, and Professional development.

For further information read the media release on the FCA website.

Under a partnership between Football Coaches Australia and XVenture (founded by Hon. Prof. Mike Conway) the series of online courses aim aim to develop essential skills on the mental side of the game – such as Leadership, Resilience, Culture and Communication. 

Having worked with a variety of Socceroos and top coaches, Conway has developed a series of immersive and interactive courses as part of FCA’s plan to build a library of material for coaches in Australia to utilise. 

The cost-effective courses – available from the start of 2021 – could be used by all coaches from park football to elite levels, and will position FCA as a world leader in the delivery of unique professional development experiences for football coaches.

The partnership is to be launched in November 2020 with the delivery of an inaugural national FCA/XVenture ‘Mind Games’ Cup competition, pitting teams of coaches from national teams, A-League, W-League, NPL and grassroots football clubs in addition to academies and school teams against each other for the trophy and a $5000 cash prizeThis will provide ‘Community, Connection and Camaraderie’ between all Australian football coaching cohorts.

For further information, read the media release on the FCA website.

FCA is now working towards Full Membershipon behalf of our member coaches.

For further information read the media release on the FCA website.

FCA partnered with the RISE Football Program in Coffs Harbour to provide scholarships, professional development & wellbeing support and a pathway to the Newcastle Jets FC.

RISE is a fantastic not-for-profit venture based in Coffs Harbour which supports the refugee, Indigenous and less fortunate youth of the region with football as their core and community at their heart.

A Community coach licence program was conducted for the RISE youth in December 2020.

FCA sponsored the Faculty of Education at Monash University web survey, based on  research exploring the progression of Women Football Coaches in Australia – “Understanding women coaches’ experiences in football (soccer)” – conducted by Aishwarya Ravi, Associate Professor Ruth Jeanes and Dr Laura Alfrey.

FCA Executive Committee  member Gary Cole began the journey of digging down into the coaching journeys of the men and women who help grow and develop our players and teams. 

Supported by Ralph Barba at Making Media, FCA launched the ‘The Football Coaching Life’ podcast. By December 2021 the podcast had achieved 16,000 downloads.

FCA presented the following Women’s Football webinars – March 2021

“Celebrating Women in Sport” and May 2021 “Addressing Barriers for Women in Coaching”

FCA entered into Partnership Agreement with XVenture to deliver the FCAXV Essential Skills professional development program for Australian coaches, opening the doors of the virtual world FCAXV College.

Football Coaches Australia and Sport Session Planner (SSP) announced a partnership, for the purposes of delivering football coach professional development programs, to support accredited and community coaches in the planning and delivery of their individual training sessions and annual training programs.

FCA progressed discussions with Football Australia regarding a Standard Contract and independent grievance procedure (National Dispute Resolution Chamber) – FCA led a webinar on the subject which is also incorporated within the FA Domestic Transfer Whitepaper.

FCA commenced the FCA XVenture ‘Play It Forward program, providing 55 + coaches from John Moriarty Foundation, RISE refugee football program, All Nepal Football Association coaches and Association of Indian Football Coaches, complimentary access to the FCA Essential Skills program modules.

FCA held the FY 2021 Annual General meeting. At the meeting the following coaches were elected to the FCA Executive Committee –  Aish Ravi, Catherine Cannuli and Christopher Adams.

FCA Committee member, Heather Garriock was ratified as a Director on the Football Australia Board for a term of two (2) years at the FA General Meeting.

In conjunction with Macquarie University Research Centre for Elite Performance, Expertise and Training (CEPET) Football Coaches Australia delivered the 2021 Sports Webinar: ‘Elite Coaching in Australia: Well-Being, Resilience and Performance’.

Psychological well-being and resilience are vital for success in any high-stakes elite performance environment.

This 2021 CEPET Sports Webinar combined expert academic research with the perspectives of elite coaches and leaders, qualified sport psychologists and support practitioners to understand the barriers to coaches’ psychological well-being, the areas for development and improvement, and best practice protocols to ensure that the well-being of coaches in all levels of Australian sport is properly supported.

FCA announced the addition of Premiership and Championship-winning A-League Men’s coach Ernie Merrick as an FCA Ambassador. Through his statesman role, FCA looks forward to Australian football coaches continuing to be able to tap into Ernie’s considerable football experience and expertise. Ernie will also be able to provide valuable commentary and insights on FCA issues relevant to coaches in Australia

FCA implemented  follow up FCA/ University of Queensland Research into employment conditions of Australian football coaches.

FCA Executive Committee member Aish Ravi co-opted as a member of the FA Women’s Football Council.

FCA Executive Committee member Gary Cole was inducted into the Football Victoria Hall of Fame following a FCA nomination. Gary has had an immense impact on Australian football for over half a century – with a playing, coaching, mentoring and administrative career that has seen him occupy roles at all levels of the game.