Image Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb8pqwtkh4y Hi Kieran, hope you are well. Thank you for your time. Can you first walk us through what role is it John Fawkner College and the work you do with Melbourne City? I am a PE/Health and mathematics teacher at JFC [teachers in Australia normally specialise in two subjects rather than just one.] I also coordinate two programmes, the Melbourne City College of Football and the Sports Industry Pathways Programme. And yourself, how did you end up in your current position? I applied to be a teacher in 2013 and the stars aligned. I was able to pick up these programmes that had been seeded and put my own spin on them. Can you tell us a little more about the Melbourne City College of Football? It is a programme run through the school with the support of A-League club Melbourne City. It is for students in years 7-12 and they are granted time as part of their studies to participate in a technical Football programme delivered by qualified Melbourne City coaches. The programme incorporates specialist coaches including strength and conditioning and goalkeepers.
How do players gain entry to the programme? You must be part of John Fawkner College and be a footballer. From there you trial to be part of a three tier system. The levels are Elite, Community and Development depending on skill level and application. And what is the ultimate aim - to produce first team players for Melbourne City? Very much so, but through the NPL and NYL Pathways that Melbourne City currently has in place. We wish to funnel as many students through this pathway as possible, but ensure there is a back up plan of education if they do not make it as professional footballers. This is where the Sports Industry Pathways Programme ties in and is an innovative curriculum that allows students to join their education with their passion for sport and Football through themed curriculum areas at years 10-12.
What challenges have you first in the first years of the programme? How have you overcome these? We are still a new programme, the teething issues were as expected. Ensuring standards are high has been a major focus as many of our existing students joined the programme however were not use to a more professional environment. Timetabling is another difficult one, this is hard as we need certain students on the pitch at certain times, but we are an educational institution first and foremost and this takes preference over Football. How much of an influence and support are MCFC, and how much is left upto your discretion? How and where are coaches rectuited from? I am more on a management side. Melbourne City offer the coaching and are extremely supportive. I am only an email away from people at the club who can solve issues and answer questions very quickly. I don t have a huge part in recruiting coaches, Melbourne City very much own that aspect and send out those who are more than appropriate for our setting. Their screening processes with coaches is very rigorous and as a result we get some high quality coaching at the College. Where do you see the future of the programme going? Again, producing professional players. I think numbers and quality will grow as the years go on. I am hoping to have a factory of professional athletes and students wanting to pursue further studies, particularly in the sports field. We are lucky to have a link with such a fantastic university in La Trobe. This is also Melbourne City Football Clubs base.
In terms of your own career, did you always want to be a teacher? Did you go straight from school to Uni? And where to you see yourself in 5/10 years time? I made up my mind to be a teacher in year 11/12 as I was trying to think of what it may be that I was good at. I loved sport and excelled in Mathematics so it seemed the logical choice for me. I went straight from school to uni and then into a full time job. In 5-10 years, it is hard to pinpoint where I would like to be, if this programme continues to evolve and develop in the same fashion, then it would be ideal to continue in this role as my passion is football and teaching. The programme is however bigger than any individual, so I would ensure that I was doing the right thing by the school and programme. In terms of Australian football in general, what do you see as the main challenges facing the FFA over the next 10 years? The game in Australia cannot afford to sit in idle. I think the NPL (National Premier League [Tier 2]) has been a positive step. Things won't change over night, it is now a matter of improving on what has been introduced. After Australia winning the Asian Cup, how far do you think the Socceroos are from making a more serious impact on the World Cup? Many years away in my opinion. Being realistic, we have some serious ground to make up. We may be lucky here and there, but we are a long way off the dominant nations of the world. Lastly, what advice would you give to young and aspiring coaches? Take opportunities and work hard. Sometimes you may go unrewarded for long periods but those who stick with it are generally more successful in my opinion.
Links: MCFC College of Football Staff: http://www.melbournecitycollegeoffootball.com/melbourne-citycollege-of-football-staff/ MCFC College of Football Trials: http://www.jfc.vic.edu.au/?page_id=1743