Club Update
As we near a return to the field in some capacity, we thought it would be a good time to provide you with an update on the Club, and everything we have been doing in 2020 to keep building Collingwood City.
Return to play
Our Coaching Directors have been busy developing ideas and programs to best engage our entire football community as we prepare to return to play.
The traditional Player Development Program will again run this summer, with a proposed six-week training schedule.
Girls-only training will be held on Mondays, with both boys and girls then able to join the Tuesday and Thursday sessions, for all Junior ages and abilities.
We will also run a 5-aside competition. The Junior competition will run from mid-November to late December, a 5-6 week competition for Under 8 through to Under 18. The senior competition dates will be finalised once we have more information.
2020 will see the launch of our Soccer Mums program, with introductory, inclusive and fun training sessions designed specifically for women. All women are welcome, whether you have played before or just starting out, as a way to learn the basics of football, keep fit and meet new people!
We are also looking to begin small-group individualised training, as well as running Junior assessments in preparation for the 2021 season.
All Abilities
This season we did not manage to get our All Abilities program underway, but the coaches and team manager have now begun to plan for a return in 2021.
During the lockdown, Annette, Wayne and Luke attended 3 online interactive workshops - the Autism and Sport Workshop Series.
The workshops were run by Kellie Tait from AAA Ballarat who has been working with Kieran Thorpe (Psychologist) from FED University to provide better opportunities for children with Autism in Sport.
The workshops have helped provide our team with information and strategies to assist with coaching as the program continues to expand. These include positively managing players and improving teaching strategies to ensure all players can reach their potential.
Coaching licences
The club is extremely proud of the dedication and quality of our coaches.
The coaching credentials held within the Club now far exceed the requirement of any Junior clubs, including the NPL.
This year we have had four coaches undertaking their B-Licence, which provides us with: an A-Licenced coach, four coaches undertaking the B-Licence and six C-Licenced coaches.
All of our coaches also attend regular Club-run and external workshops, including specialised speakers delivering on a range of topics, from positive psychology, skill development in Juniors, and the most up-to-date coaching methods.
All new coaches to our Club also undergo a mentor program, ensuring we are developing as many fantastic coaches as possible who all align with our Club philosophy and vision.
'Study and Play' model
Over the break, our Coaching Director’s have put significant thought into how best to keep our older Junior players engaged with football, whilst maintaining a healthy balance with their schooling and studies.
From 2021, the Club will look at options to utilise our Clubrooms to provide a ‘study-space’ on training nights from 3:30pm onwards. This can be used by all players to study and complete their homework, either before or after training.
The intention is to help keep as many players at Years 11 and 12 involved in the Club to maintain the exercise and social benefits that it provides, yet not jeopardising their schooling.
The Club will also revisit making two-night training mandatory for Year 11 and 12 students in ‘A’ teams, as well as looking at ways to keep those who elect not to play involved at CCFC.
Senior Women
Over the past five years, our Club has put significant effort into developing our Girls program. We are proud of how this program has grown, boasting over 100 registered girls in 2020.
Although they are yet to compete, the Club this year registered our first Senior Women’s team. The team had begun preparations early in the year, only to be halted before returning to the field in the middle of the year.
We can’t wait to see them in action in 2021 in a momentous occasion for the Club, now fielding female teams at all ages.
Achievements
CCFC has recently been awarded a 5-star rating by Football Federation Australia (FFA) in the National Club Development Program (NCDP). The NCDP was established by FFA, intending to raise the overall standard of club administration and operations at all levels of the game. It provides a clear model to develop and maintain a successful football club.
The Club also engaged with Good Sports Australia to increase our accreditation to Level 3. The program aims to play a central role in supporting clubs to keep people active, healthy, socially connected and safe. It’s an excellent example of how we can prevent and minimise the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs, promote healthy behaviours, enhance participation, and support club integrity and sustainability.
*All programs are pending restrictions and council approval
