On Saturday the 16th of March Hills Football hosted its Coaching Expo for 2024 at Bella Vista Public School. The expo was a success setting the benchmark for the year and provided key insights into different coaching methods across different ages and abilities.
At the expo were 39 registered coaches from a range of different member clubs including:
Baulkham Hills Football Club
Bella Vista Football Club
Box Hills Rangers Football Club
Castle Hill Rockets Football Club
Castle Hill United Football Club
Glenhaven Football Club
Hills Knights Football Club
Hills Spirit Football Club
Kellyville Kolts
Kellyville United
Norwest Football Club
The Hills Grammar School
Rouse Hill Rams
Winston Hills Football Club
On the day we had multiple stations covering the different phases of training for age groups as well as focusing on the following coaching practices:
- Game Training: Purposeful passing practices to support gameplay – Players supplied by Box Hill Rangers – Coached by Peter Nowakowski (Football NSW)
- Girls Only Session Skill Acquisition Phase: Constraints-Based learning for junior football – Players supplied by Rouse Hill Rams – Coached by Jaimee Turner (Hills Football)
- Skill Acquisition Phase: Safe environments to support teaching players how to head a ball correctly – Players supplied by North Rocks SFC – Coached by Ambaye Akele with Heading Pro balls supplied by Deploy.
- Discovery Phase: Learning through play – the benefits of game-based learning – Players supplied by Hills Spirit – Coached by Lachlan Inns (Hills Football)
- Skill Acquisition Phase: Supporting Player Ownership during training – Players supplied by Hills United FC SAP – Coached by Gareth Long
- Goalkeeping: Key Techniques of Goalkeeping – Players supplied by North Rocks SFC – Coached by Alex Gornall (Hills Football / Hills United)
A special thanks must be made to the coaches who led sessions throughout the expo. Their commitment to sharing their knowledge and displaying their coaching skills played a pivotal role in making the event a resounding success. These Coaches include Peter Nowakowski from Football NSW and Gareth Long from ACPE. Also, a big thank you to Deploy Football for Supplying us with Heading Pro balls for our heading practice.
Coaches have a direct impact on the quality of the football experiences of all players. As such Hills Football is committed to supporting our Grassroots Coaches in their understanding, delivery, development, and coaching journey. The Coach has the power to inspire and develop the next generation of footballers.
Better Coaches = Better Player Experience
Better Player Experience = Better Club Retention & Better Player Development
Looking ahead, the Hills Football Coaching Expo has set the pathway for coach education initiatives. By learning and growth coach education has the potential to improve the coaching ability of coaches within the Hills District. Hills Football are committed to supporting grassroots coaches in developing their coaching skills through coach education initiatives.
If your club would like to host a coaching course for your coaches, please reach out to Paul office@hillsfootball.com.au
For more information including a coach education schedule and session plans please visit Hills Football Coaches HQ.
