Almost Sold Out - Club Development Conference | THIS SATURDAY, 8 February
2025 Club Development Conference
The conference, the first of its kind in WA, is aimed at everyone who has a role in grassroots football including club administrators, coaches, referees, players, volunteers and parents. There will be several guest speakers and presenters from around the country, including Football Australia, SportWest, Monarch Leadership, Pride Cup, Helping Minds and the Football Futures Foundation.
Football West General Manager - Football David Lewis said: “The Club Development Conference is a great addition to the Football West calendar and a terrific opportunity for club representatives to gain new tools and to network with other key stakeholders ahead of the new season."
Community Manager Abid Imam said: “This will be our first club conference at Sam Kerr Football Centre so come along to this special opportunity where you can learn some great insights to progress your club, meet Football West staff and other club representatives in person, and kick off your season the best way possible.”
The all-day event is presented by the Club Changer program and takes place at the Sam Kerr Football Centre in Queens Park on Saturday 8 February. It runs from 9am to 4pm. Final tickets: bit.ly/CDC2025
SESSION DETAILS
VOLUNTEERS – FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA
Football Australia Manager Member Service Jamie Monteith will share his expertise from working with football clubs across Australia regarding volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition. Network with other club representatives in a Q&A session and gain tips on supporting your volunteers.
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FEMALE REPRESENTATION – FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA
Football Australia Women’s and Girls Coach Engagement Lead Lizzie Ramsey will speak about the importance of female representation, facilitation of female-only learning environments and the importance of female mentorship programs.
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CHILD SAFEGUARDING & SIDELINE BEHAVIOUR – FOOTBALL WEST
As part of the Club Development Conference 2025, we will deliver a key session on child safeguarding and sideline behaviour, supporting clubs and emphasising the importance of best practice.
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UPSKILLING MINIROOS COACHES – FOOTBALL WEST
New Football West Program and Development Lead Dean Evans will host an on-pitch session to help new parent coaches and support current MiniRoos coaches with fun, vibrant and safe activities for children.
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EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION – MONARCH MANAGEMENT
Monarch Management founder Monica Beazley explores the role of communication in fostering positive relationships between coaches, players and parents. Participants will build awareness of how communication styles influence motivation, understanding and team dynamics while learning strategies to enhance connection, reduce conflict and create a supportive, inclusive sporting environment.
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ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH – HELPING MINDS
This session will support clubs with tools to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and how to have conversations with teammates/family if they notice they are struggling with their mental health.
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CLUB INCLUSION – PRIDE CUP
Pride Cup CEO Hayley Conway will speak about how clubs can ensure everyone feels welcome and safe with practical skills and knowledge for LGBTIQ+ inclusion. The session will explore the challenges and barriers for LGBTIQ+ players and supporters, celebrating the LGBTIQ+ community and supplying clubs with tips and tactics for bystander intervention when things go wrong. This session will be for club administrators, parents, players, coaches and referees.
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PELVIC AND MENSTRUAL PAIN EDUCATION – PELVIC PAIN FOUNDATION
Clinical educator Julia McShane will speak to coaches, team managers, parent and other club support figures. This session is loaded with practical tools to keep young athletes in the game and guidelines for fostering period-positive sports environments and reducing training and game-day disruptions.
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ALL ABILITIES – FOOTBALL FUTURES FOUNDATION
Football West charity partner Football Futures Foundations will run a session on introducing all-abilities football to your club. This will provide clubs with the tools to support a safe and welcoming space for players of all abilities to try football while raising awareness of disability and inclusion. There will be a Q&A with ParaMatildas IFCPF World Cup-winning goalkeeper Katelyn Smith, WA Paras player and brain cancer survivor Baxter Hutchinson and representatives from Wheelchair Football, Walking Football and Equal Footingball.
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CLUB CHANGER – FOOTBALL WEST
Football West Club Changer Lead Karen Hennessy will present on Football Australia’s club development program Club Changer. This includes how to become a 1-star Club Changer club, get support on your action plan, plus how to achieve 2-star status.
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MISCELLANEOUS
During the day there will be interactive workshops with Football West departments including club support, competitions and referees who can answer your questions for the upcoming season.
For more information on the 2025 Club Development Conference, please contact Karen Hennessy at Karen.hennessy@footballwest.com.au.