Coach Development Opportunities

Coach development is vital for developing knowledgeable and skilled coaches who can create positive and enjoyable learning environments for our players. Not only do they contribute to skill and performance development, but more importantly, they foster a lifelong passion for the game among all participants. By investing in coach development, we can significantly enhance the overall quality of football in our region, and hence we are committed to providing quality development opportunities for all our coaches.

This page outlines the upcoming Coach Education courses and Continued Professional Development (CPD) workshops offered by MFA. This including the MiniRoos Certificate, Foundation of Football, SAP Coaching Workshop (U8-U12), 11v11 Coaching Workshop (U13+), Foundation of Goalkeeping, the Football Australia/AFC C Diploma plus any CPD workshops.

COACH EDUCATION COURSES

MiniRoos Certificate (U6-U10) - FREE

A 3-hour practical course for parents and coaches of players in the Discovery Phase encouraging the coach to develop practices that are based on FUN; no coaching but organising FUN football exercises to help players build a love for the game.

Dates:

Monday 16th March - 6pm-9pm at Wandarrah Reserve - home of Mt Annan Mustangs - REGISTER HERE

Resources:

Foundation of Football - $100 (Pre-requisite for C Diploma)

This course focuses on the delivery of practical sessions covering the fundamentals of techniques as well as learning about basic playing principles of the game. Aimed at volunteer parents and coaches working with advanced beginner to competent level players or players aged up to 15 years old.

This course has a total duration of 9 hours in person and is a prerequisite for the C Diploma.

Dates:

Wednesday 11th, 18th and 25th February (6pm-9pm each day) - Cunningham Park, the home of Gregory Hills - Register Here
Sunday 1st March 2026 9am-5pm at Doohan Reserve, Oran Park - Register Here (*at capacity, waiting list only)
Wednesday 11th, 18th and 25th March (6pm-9pm each day) - Belgenny Reserve, the home of Camden Falcons - Register Here
Saturday 14th March 2026 9am-5pm at Douglas Park Sportsground, Douglas Park - Register Here

Resources:

Foundation of Football Session Structure

C Diploma - Football Australia / AFC

For coaches looking to take the next step in their journey, whether they are coaching at a grassroots club or NPL level.

The Football Australia/AFC C Diploma is aimed at coaches working with advanced beginner to competent level players or players aged approximately twelve (12) years of age and above. The course is designed to provide a logical connection to the Foundation of Football Certificate covering in greater detail:

The technical aspects of the game, including teaching the basics of passing, receiving, and dribbling with the ball, as well as defending strategies.
The principles of coaching and comprehension of the principles of play; and
The concept of teaching behaviour using various sorts of practice methods.

The minimum age to join the ‘C’ Diploma is 18 years old. The ‘C’ Diploma is a minimum of 60 hours in duration and is delivered in face to face contact over a period of several weeks or months.

2025/26 C Diploma – Macarthur FA #1

2025 – November 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th
9am–4:30pm each day
Venue: Lynwood Park, St Helen's Park

REGISTRATION LINK

2025/26 C Diploma – Macarthur FA #2

2026 – March 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th
9am–4:30pm each day
Venue: Ron Dine Memorial Reserve, Camden South

REGISTRATION LINK

Resources:

Football NSW C Diploma Courses

SAP Coaching Workshop (U8 - U12) - FREE FOR ALL MFA MEMBERS

Designed for coaches working with players in the Skill Acquisition Phase (U8-U12), this workshop combines a 1-hour webinar with a hands-on 2-3 hour practical module. Emphasising core skills like First Touch, Striking the Ball, Running with the Ball, and 1 v 1, the workshop equips coaches with tools for structured training sessions. In addition to personalized feedback on session planning, delivery, and effective communication with players, coaches will learn to leverage valuable resources such as the MFA's partners Sport Session Planner.

Resources:

11v11 Coaching Workshop (U13+) - FREE FOR ALL MFA MEMBERS

Designed for coaches working with players in the Game Training and Perfomance Phases (U13 - All Age), this workshop combines a 1-hour webinar with a hands-on 2-3 hour practical module, with an emphasis on the development of tactical awareness, perception and decision making through a game relate approach to training. In addition to personalized feedback on session planning, delivery, and effective communication with players, coaches will learn to leverage valuable resources such as the MFA's partners Sport Session Planner.

Resources:

Game Training Certificate Participant Manual

Foundation of Goalkeeping & Goalkeeping Workshops

The Foundation of Goalkeeping course is designed as the first accreditation step for coaches, parents or volunteers who work with, or plan to work with goalkeepers of any standard across the country.

The training is designed with the player in mind and is based on how goalkeeper sessions should be delivered: safely and effectively and with a sense of fun. After completing the course, the student will be able to: Identify the training needs of goalkeepers, identify ways to make training inclusive for all participants, implement basic goalkeeper coaching principles, and create engaging goalkeeper sessions.

Resources:

PlayFootball Goalkeeping Activities

Foundation of Futsal

The Foundation of Futsal is aimed at volunteer parents and coaches working with novice players or players aged up to approximately twelve (12) years old. You will participate in classes covering the basics of futsal as well as learning about basic playing formations during this course. The course is entirely practical and not graded, allowing the student to participate in real training sessions if they so choose. The course also promotes participating in group discussions with the goal of exchanging experiences.

To register for the Foundation of Futsal, a coach must be minimum eighteen (18) years of age.

Join our "MFA Coaching Community" WhatsApp Group for the latest updates on coach development opportunities and resources via the link HERE. Additionally, you can follow our Macarthur Football Association social media channels.

For local clubs wishing to host a Community Coaching Course at their home ground please visit the "Host a Community Coaching Course" tab HERE or email the MFA Football Development Manager Matt Rootsey at matt@macarthurfootball.com.au

For more information on the Football Australia coaching pathways, please see the website below
https://www.playfootball.com.au/coach/coach-pathways

CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD): WORKSHOPS

THE POWER OF VIDEO ANALYSIS. HIGH PERFORMANCE CPD WORKSHOP WITH ALEN STAJCIC - FORMER A-LEAGUES AND NATIONAL TEAMS HEAD COACH

Date/ Time: Tuesday, 24th March from 6:30-8:00pm
Location: Lynwood Park, St Helen’s Park
Licence Revalidation: 1 CPD HOUR - approved by Football Australia
Presenter: Alen Stajcic, former A-Leagues and National Teams Head Coach
Objective: Delving into his various coaching experiences, Alen will take coaches through how he has used video analysis at an A-League and National Teams level and show ways that advanced and grassroots coaches can use it within their own environments.
Cost: FREE
REGISTRATION LINK: CLICK HERE
Any Questions: contact MFA Football Development Manager, Matt Rootsey, via email on matt@macarthurfootball.com.au

SETTING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS. HIGH PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP WITH FORMER ACADEMY MANAGER - SYDNEY FC, NICK SUSKO.

Date/ Time: Wednesday, 4th February from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Lynwood Park, St Helen’s Park
Licence Revalidation: 1 CPD HOUR - approved by Football Australia
Presenter: Nick Susko, former Academy Manager - Sydney FC. High Performance Consultant.
Objective: Led by former Academy Manager - Sydney FC, Nick Susko, this 1 Hour CPD Workshop will delve into what you can do in pre-season to set you and your team up for success. The workshop will specifically covers areas including environment setting, the benefits of a games-based approach and the steps you can take to bring your coaching philosophy to life.
Cost: FREE
REGISTRATION LINK: CLICK HERE
Any Questions: contact MFA Football Development Manager, Matt Rootsey, via email on matt@macarthurfootball.com.au

TRAIN THE GAME, CONDITION THE PLAYER. HIGH PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP WITH FORMER LEAD SPORT SCIENTIST - MATILDAS, TIMOTHY KNIGHT.

Date/ Time: Tuesday, 2^nd December from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Lynwood Park, St Helen’s Park
Licence Revalidation: 2 CPD HOURS - approved by Football Australia
Presenter: Timothy Knight, former Lead Sport Scientist – Matildas, Head of High Performance at CC Mariners.
Objective: Led by former Lead Sport Scientist - Matildas, Timothy Knight, this 2 Hour CPD Workshop will delve into Football Conditoning and how as a coach, you can not only train the game, but condition your players at the same time. The workshop will specifically cover an introduction to football conditioning, the different S&C priorities through the stages of the season, and how to incorporate conditoning as part of your football sessions.
Cost: FREE
REGISTRATION LINK: CLICK HERE
Any Questions: contact MFA Football Development Manager, Matt Rootsey, via email on matt@macarthurfootball.com.au

For advanced coaches, to view upcoming Football NSW CPD Workshops, please visit the site: https://footballnsw.com.au/coach-hub/coaching-workshops/

Football Australia has recently moved learning platforms.

As this is your first time accessing the Football Australia Learning Centre, you will need to complete a couple of steps.

1. Use this link to create a PlayFootball account (or log in to your existing PlayFootball Account) and to register the person who will be completing the course.

2. After completing step 1, you will need to wait 3-4 hours, before being able to use the Football Australia Learning Centre link here to access the new learning platform.

Please ensure you log in as a ‘Football Australia Learner’ and then click on the registration links below to access the direct product page.

*Coaches are required to have had an active PlayFootball registration (2023 or 2024) to gain access to the Football Australia Learning Centre. If you have not yet registered for the 2024 season or are not currently coaching, we have established learner clubs.

To register to these learner clubs, please select your appropriate club below or head to ‘https://www.playfootball.com.au/club-registration-searchplease ‘and search for 'Learner', select the relevant state you are located in, and proceed with the registration process.

Support articles on how to register for these clubs can also be found online via the ‘Help Hub’ listed on PlayFootball. Coaches will be able to request support from the team via learningcentre@footballaustralia.com.au

COACH EDUCATION COURSES

2025/26 C Diploma – Macarthur FA #1

2025/26 C Diploma – Macarthur FA #2

CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD): WORKSHOPS

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