Coach Development Week 2025 wrap up

Thank you to everyone involved in organising the John Moriarty Football Coach Development Week. This was a special event which involved 23 Indigenous football coaches from our remote and regional hubs in NT, QLD and NSW, travelling to Sydney for a life-changing week of development and mentoring.

A huge shout out to our Head Coaches and HQ staff for coordinating all the logistics for the week and to JMF Program Manager Jen Wicks for developing and leading JMF’s intensive coach development session.

One of the few female UEFA A Licence holders in Australia, Jen’s session taught the coaches how to design and execute training programs that are engaging, encourage team work, and focus on self-learning through practical activities.

JMF Dubbo Community Coach, Chloe O’Keefe (Wiradjuri), said she found the course to be invaluable.

“When coaches come together from all hubs, football becomes more than just a game, it empowers connection and allows us to have a collective identity of both football and culture. Jen’s ability to develop our skills as coaches allows us to continually grow the quality of the foundation and continue John’s amazing legacy.”

The coaches also participated in a Football NSW Foundation of Football coaching course, a prerequisite to attaining the FA AFC/C Diploma qualification.

Highlights of the week included:

• The Borroloola coaching team had an exhilarating time climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb
• Exploring Aboriginal historic sites in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
• Attending the launch of John Moriarty’s book Saltwater Fella
• A session with Focus Performance Psychology focused on resilience and self reflection
• A special tour of Sydney FC’s base at Sky Park in Macquarie Park