The inaugural Northern NSW Football Regional Coaching Conference was held on Saturday at Coffs Coast Synthetics.
More than 30 coaches from regional northern NSW areas travelled to take part in the event.
This was the first time NNSWF have hosted the conference in a regional area, providing participants the opportunity to upskill for season 2024 with an informative day of lectures and workshops from industry leading coaches.
The conference speakers included Gold Coast United Technical Director Craig Midgely, North Coast Football Technical Director Greg Brown, Rural Fit Exercise Physiologist Amy Roser, former Newcastle Jet’s goalkeeper Claire Coelho as well as NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge and Talent Development Officer Brett Angell.
Gavin Whitney who coaches in the Football Far North Coast region was pleased to have the opportunity to attend a conference closer to home.
“I think having it locally where it is more accessible and with local coaches who probably aren’t able to get to those major regional centres it’s an absolute plus,” Whitney said.
“It is massively important in terms of not only attracting coaches but also making coaches aware that there is a support structure there for them. As a coach it’s super important that you have that ongoing mentorship in a way. Without these types of things, you won’t grow as a coach.”
North Coast Football coach Emily Schafer took many key learnings away from the day.
“I was really interested to hear from Amy and how she tailors her programs to football specific players. It was definitely eye opening to see just how relative strength and conditioning is to all sports in general. She discussed how to tailor it down, how to manage workload, how to get that periodisation right for your players and the age groups you are working with,” Schafer said.
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge was thrilled with the success of the conference.
“It is really important that we service regional areas and that provide opportunities to coaches within our regional footprint,” Doidge said.
“As part of our commitment to increasing opportunities for coaches and players and non-playing members in these areas, it’s really important that we can get out and provide something like this and continue to provide events like this.
“I would like to extend a big thank you to the presenters that ran sessions at the conference and thanks to the whole Northern NSW Football Talent Development team who are striving to provide more opportunities.”
NNSWF will also be holding the Metro Coaching Conference on Sunday 3 December at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. Find out more information and secure your spot HERE.
