Football Manager’s Report – James Rankine
Football Manager’s Report – James Rankine If anyone tells me they have 2020 vision, I’m washing my hands and taking a big step back, because no one could see this year coming! I’m sure there will be lots of references to this throughout all the submitted reports so I won’t go into it too much other than to say that the f ootball family has stayed strong and united and I would like to acknowledge all the clubs, teams, players, coaches, staff members and Directors, not just at NFA but FNSW, FFA and everyone else involved for your patience, commitment, flexibility and resolve during this period of uncertainty and as we hopefully steer through this and come out the other side to a changed and different world, we can remember all the good qualities in ourselves and each other that will make our game even better and stronger. It started off normal enough as we rolled through the end of season Community Coach Education program and the sign could’ve been the successful running of the Community Goalkeeping Certificate – our first for many years and we finished it after confirming that the ash and f ire debris count was below the required level to host an outdoor event! We did run our Certificate courses before and after the Covid restrictions as the return to play guidelines allowed and we also were able to get creative and design a socially distant compliant but also great learning environment that was still able to give our new coaches the understanding and tools to be able to run sessions for their players that were not just fun and f ootball like, but safe. Between these workshops and the Certificate courses we were still able to reach out and provide training to a tick over 400 coaches and that’s a remarkable achievement given the conditions and restrictions that have been in play. Another great example of Nepean people just getting it done! Here's our 100th coach to attend a course this year receiving his goody bag. We were also able to host a number of Game Leader Workshops and these were invaluable in helping parents, siblings and youth players to work through the requirements to have a great fun game of football in the Miniroos age groups. These sessions use practical settings to practice the behaviours needed to help these youngest of players enjoy the game because we want them back next year. I also ran a Game Leader workshop for
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