This week, our MFA Coaching Spotlight took us to Douglas Park Wilton FC, where we spoke to two incredible coaches, Jess Simons (U9 Girls Coach and Female Football Coordinator) and Brad White (U10 Boy’s Coach). Both coaches are encouraging their players to turn up every week to learn and be part of an environment where football can be enjoyed and their love for the game can continue to grow!
Jess Simmons (U9 Girls Coach & Female Football Coordinator):
Jess Simmons has been a part of the girls space, not only for the youth, but also for the senior women’s. She feels motivated to coach by creating an environment where girls feel safe to play football. By making the sessions enjoyable, she wants to create continuity within the girls space and ensure they come back every year with the same positive energy to learn and have fun.
Jess’s biggest goal this year is to build a team where the girls can bond and build friendships, whilst overall enjoying their football. She has adapted her coaching style to suit each of her players acknowledging that they have different learning style. She states they contribute different skills to the sessions, therefore the main focus is on improving every week and progressively developing her players.
Jess highlights that she values her players’ confidence in asking questions during different scenarios, such as at games or training. Whilst also, she expresses her satisfaction in the new players’ ability to come out of their shell and bond with the other girls in the team.
The confidence growth within the team has been Jess’s highlight and she’s enjoyed seeing the smiles and positive energy that her players have brought to training over the course of the season.
Brad White (U10’s Boys Coach):
Brad White is the U10 Coach at Douglas Park FC and has built an welcoming and positive environment within his team. Brad feels motivated to coach by creating sessions that are highly inclusive and allow the players to solely focus on football and enjoy playing the game with their friends.
Brad expresses that planning is a big thing for him; he looks at how he can benefit the individual players in his team, whilst still focusing on the bringing the team together to progress throughout the season. The team’s season has started out well, but Brad focuses on learning different parts of the game each week so his players are developing in all areas. This ensuring they can still have fun and try their best through the season.
Brad’s favourite experience has been watching his players form friendships but specifically adding that the parents of the players have also been able to bond, therefore bringing everyone together. Brad’s inclusive personality continues to make a positive impact at Douglas Park Wilton FC, and we cannot wait to see what else he and the team can achieve.
Both Jess and Brad are developing a positive, fun and dedicated group of footballers at Douglas Park Wilton FC. By leading through their own actions on and off the pitch, they are not only helping players improve their skills but also shaping them into confident and respectful individuals. Their players are fortunate to have coaches who care so deeply about their growth and well-being.
We are proud to continue our MFA Coaching Spotlight by sharing Jess and Brad’s stories, and we thank them for their dedication to the Macarthur football community. We look forward to seeing their ongoing impact and where their football coaching journeys take them next.
If you're part of a club in the MFA and would like to nominate a coach to be featured in our MFA Coaching Spotlight series, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact Football Development Manager, Matt Rootsey, at matt@macarthurfootball.com.au.
