Football Coaches Australia appoints Ernie Merrick as FCA Ambassador

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Merrick

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) is pleased to announce the addition of Premiership and Championship-winning A-League Men’s coach Ernie Merrick as an FCA Ambassador.

Ernie’s ongoing legacy in Australia football is assured. To date, he has left an indelible imprint on Australian football, and on those he has worked with.

Through his statesman role, FCA looks forward to Australian football coaches continuing to be able to tap into Ernie’s considerable football experience and expertise. Ernie will also be able to provide valuable commentary and insights on FCA issues relevant to coaches in Australia.

Ernie Merrick OAM was a PE teacher, as well as an amateur football player before entering the head coaching ranks.

Ernie’s most recent A-League role was as Newcastle Jets FC Head Coach where he took the Jets to the Grand Final in his inaugural 2017/18 season. He is the former head coach of the Victorian Institute of Sport, Hong Kong national football team, and A-League clubs Melbourne Victory FC and Wellington Phoenix FC.

Under Ernie’s leadership, Victory won the 2006–07 A-League Premiership, finished second in the group phase of the 2008 Asian Champions League and in the 2008–2009 season, won the treble, the Pre-Season Cup, the Premiership and the Grand Final.

During the 2009–2010 season, despite severe season-ending knee injuries to key players, Victory once again reached the Grand Final.

In committing to the FCA Ambassador role Ernie stated:

“When asked by FCA to become an Ambassador and Technical Advisor to FCA I felt privileged and honoured. I hope to be able to work with FCA to provide ongoing professional development mentorship to aspiring coaches.”

FCA President Phil Moss acknowledged the appointment by stating:

“Ernie’s credentials as a coach speak for themselves – without a doubt one of the most successful to grace the national competition – but he is also a top-class human being who passionately cares about people so he will add significantly to our organization & our members.”

Long-time football colleague, and current FCA Executive Committee member, Gary Cole endorsed Ernie’s role.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Ernie (Merrick) since the mid-eighties when he came to Preston Lions in the NSL as a young assistant coach to Billy Murray. Our paths crossed again when he was Head coach of the Victorian Institute of Sport, where he helped develop wonderful players like Vince Grella, Simon Colosimo, Adrian Leijer and Billy Celeski. We then had the opportunity and privilege to help set up and build Melbourne Victory Football Club.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Ernie as he is a wonderful leader and has the gift of being able to make the complex simple. He is a Pro-Licence Coach, with a teaching and sports science background, yet simplifies rather than confuses, which helps him to be the wonderfully successful coach he is, as well as a great developer of players.”

FCA looks forward to further Australian coach Ambassadorial role announcements within the near future.

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FCA to Host Exclusive Two-Part Goalscoring Workshop Series with Dr Ron Smith

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Image Credit: box2box

One of Australian football’s most respected coaching minds shares decades of research ahead of the FIFA Men’s World Cup.

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) has announced an exclusive two-part coach education series featuring renowned coach educator and football analyst Dr Ron Smith, offering coaches a rare opportunity to explore the evolving science of goalscoring through the lens of one of Australia’s most influential football thinkers.

The online workshops, scheduled for June 1 and June 8, will examine the historical development, modern trends and future direction of goalscoring in football, drawing on extensive research that formed the foundation of Dr Smith’s doctoral studies.

For FCA, the sessions represent the culmination of more than a year of planning and provide a timely opportunity for coaches to deepen their understanding of attacking play ahead of the FIFA Men’s World Cup.

“Ron’s work on goalscoring has been years in the making and continues to evolve,” FCA President Ian Greener said.

“We felt there was no better time to bring this knowledge to the coaching community than in the lead-up to the World Cup, when coaches around the world will be analysing the game’s best teams and players.”

Across the two sessions, Dr Smith will present findings from his extensive research into goalscoring patterns and trends, examining how the game has changed over time and what coaches can learn from football’s biggest tournaments.

Topics covered throughout the series will include:

  • Historical analysis of goalscoring trends
  • How goalscoring has evolved in the modern game
  • Key patterns identified through Dr Smith’s research
  • Scoring trends across the last six FIFA Men’s World Cups
  • Comparisons between men’s and women’s World Cup tournaments
  • The role of pressing, transition moments and direct play in creating goals
  • Practical coaching implications for improving attacking performance

The two-part structure has been intentionally designed to build upon itself. Session One will focus on the evidence, data and research underpinning Dr Smith’s findings, while Session Two will explore the practical applications and coaching interventions that can emerge from that analysis.

Football Australia has accredited both workshops with one Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hour each, allowing coaches to earn two CPD hours by attending both sessions.

Dr Smith’s coaching and coach education credentials span decades. He has worked extensively with Football Australia, the Australian Institute of Sport and the Socceroos, while also holding coaching roles internationally in Iceland and Malaysia, as well as within the A-League.

His contributions to coach development have helped shape generations of Australian coaches, making this series a valuable opportunity for coaches across all levels of the game.

Event Details

History and Future of Goalscoring – Session One
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026
Time: 7:30pm AEST
Format: Online
CPD: 1 Football Australia-accredited CPD hour

Following the completion of the FIFA Men’s World Cup, FCA is also planning a special panel discussion featuring leading Australian and international coaching voices to analyse the key tactical developments, trends and lessons emerging from the tournament.

Further details regarding that event are expected to be released later this year.

FCA members can attend the workshops free of charge, while guest registrations are available through Eventbrite.

FA partners with Coca-Cola ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

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Image credit: Football Australia

The two-year partnership will place the global soft-drink giants as the Official Supplier for Australia’s Men’s and Women’s senior national teams.

 

Global partner, global stage

As the Socceroos look to deliver performances on the pitch at this summer’s tournament, it is a move off the pitch which will capture the imagination of fans across the country.

Football Australia announced an exciting deal with Coca-Cola, designed to align the global reach of football – and of the brand itself – to unite and engage fans this summer as well as during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.

Thus, through national campaigns featuring prize draws and the chance to access various rewards, Coca-Cola will help to drive passion and interest in upcoming major tournaments.

“This partnership brings together the global scale of Coca-Cola with the passion and reach of football in Australia, creating new opportunities to connect with fans across the country,” explained FA CEO, Martin Kugeler, via press release.

“The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 represents a key moment for the CommBank Socceroos, and the Coca-Cola campaigns will help bring supporters closer to the team through unique and engaging experiences.”

Furthermore, with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 also set to enjoy similar campaigns by Coca-Cola, the partnership’s impact and reach will extend across both the men’s and women’s game.

 

Marketing power

As football continues to grow – both in financial power and population reach – collaborations with global brands are now an expected aspect of tournament build-ups.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also struck a deal with fashion brand Loewe, set in place for the next four years. In a similar vein, England’s off-pitch teamwear will feature the marks of both Nike and Palace Skateboards, while France will receieve their prematch jersey from Nike and Jacquemus.

This is the state of the landscape. Aligning global brands and household names with a sport capable of reaching billions at once.

Values, reach and connecting with fans. Three key ingredients to a successful collaboration.

Such alignment is key to the partnership between FA and Coca-Cola, as recognised by Managing Director, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Orlando Rodriguez.

“For nearly 90 years, Coca-Cola has been a part of the fabric of Australian life – bring people together through shared moments,” said Rodriguez.

“Partnering with Football Australia reflects our continued commitment to connecting communities through experiences that unite the nation, with the CommBank Socceroos and Matildas at the heart of that.”

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