Football Coaches Australia and XVenture have announced a new initiative which gives coaches and players easy access to the body of work which has been built by XVenture CEO Mike Conway, the emotional and mind coach who worked with Sydney FC during their record-breaking years and the Socceroos on their journey to achieving 11th place in the 2022 World Cup.
The new initiative, available from today at the FCA XV College, provides discounted access to the “Winning Minds Team Package” where coaches and their players will be able to learn, grow, develop, and apply the principles of Essential Skills for individual and team success.
Any community or accredited coach who signs up to the “Winning Minds Package” at Football Coaches Australia and XVenture College will get access to modules in emotional intelligence, leadership, culture, and communication. Then 16 players (or parents) from their team, will be provided free access to the Foundation program of 20 subjects. For each completed Module, coaches will also receive 30 CPD points towards license re-validation.
Football Coaches Australia CEO, Glenn Warry, said:
“To date, over 500 coaches from grassroots to elite have undertaken the FCA XV Essential Skills Program from Australia, New Zealand, India, Vietnam, Greece, and Sri Lanka. This new initiative is not about dollars and commercial gain.”
“This is about FCA and XVenture working together to provide coaches and their players the opportunity for greater success on and off the pitch. It’s about Essential Skills, for coaching and life.
“FCA is also seeking to support accredited coaches to attain their 100 CPD points to re-validate their respective FA coach licence by providing exclusive access to world leading professional development.”
Essential Skills Alumni, Drew Taylor, who is the Director of Football, Coach and Player Development at Newington College, said:
“I highly recommend having a look at undertaking the course for anyone wanting to better understand and/or develop emotional intelligence, communication, leadership, resilience and culture.”
Mike Conway added regarding his FIFA World Cup 2022 experience:
“I’ve spent some time reflecting on my experience in working with Graham Arnold, players and all the other staff involved in the 2022 World Cup Campaign and why we were successful.
“From my point of view, the answer lies in the deep connection, cohesion, trust, and commitment of those involved together with the incredible energy of support which we felt throughout the campaign. It was the same during my tenure at Sydney FC with 5 trophies won in 3 years.
“I’m now even more convinced that when we’re all on the same page regarding emotional intelligence, communication, culture, roles and relationships, amazing things can happen. So, we’re offering this new initiative, at a cost- effective price for coaches and no additional charge for players.”
Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) Co-Chief Executive Beau Busch outlined that the initiative would help Australian football to enhance the continual development of current and future coaches and PFA members.
“A number of PFA members have worked with Mike over a number of years in an effort the very best out of themselves,” he said.
“We are delighted that through this initiative more of our members will now be able to get access to the FCAXV Essential Skills Program through their coaches.”
One player who has appreciated Conway’s work is Harry Souttar.
Souttar told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2021: “It’s been a massive help in my progression as a footballer and as a human being as well, I’m going to be honest. For me, still being young, when you see older pros like Maty (Ryan) working with him, and he’s played how many times in the Premier League and had an unbelievable career … if he’s still doing that at his age, why should I not be doing this at my age?”
The Winning Minds Package is now available at www.fcaxvcollege.com for $140 during April and May.
For players who are keen to get access, please forward this information to your coach and encourage them to sign up for the Winning Minds Team Package.
