For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face PFA skill development workshops have returned to A-League teams during season 2023-24.
PFA Player Development Managers have worked in conjunction with player delegates at each club across the A-Leagues to determine a workshop that would be beneficial to each playing group.
Workshops have varied from performance nutrition, delivered by Alicia Edge from CompEat Performance, leadership and confidence by Monica Beazley from Monarch Management, and financial literacy held by former Brisbane Roar midfielder George Lambadaridis from Australian Money Mentors.
Adelaide United’s A-League Women’s team received a brand and media workshop from Jarrod Walsh.
Each workshop is designed for players to build complementary skills off the pitch that enhance their football careers and support their lives off the pitch.
Head of Player Development Rita Mankoswka said the feedback regarding the workshops has been positive, with a number of teams already partaking in the seminars over the last few months.
“It’s been really pleasing to hear such great feedback from players following their respective skill development workshops,” Mankowska said.
“We adapted our player development curriculum to go online during COVID, but it’s clear that in-person learning is still really important to our members.”
“Our group really enjoyed the ‘Game On’ workshop. Individually we all gained self confidence and mindset tools that we will use on and off the field,” Melbourne City midfielder Leah Davidson said regarding the workshop held by Monica Beazley.
“Monica was very engaging and passionate. Her workshop has the ability to take players’ [confidence] to the next level”.
Melbourne Victory’s Leigh Broxham also spoke glowingly about the workshop ran by Lambadaridis.
“[The workshop provided] great insight from a past player [that] opens your eyes to some of the realities in football and particularly money management during your career,” Broxham said.
“George was very informative and was able to connect with the varying generations that a football change room has.”
Jarrod Walsh conducting a Brand and Media workshop with Adelaide United’s A-League Women’s team.
Here’s some of the workshops to be held so far:
- Newcastle Jets ALW – Performance Nutrition Workshop
- Adelaide United ALM – Financial Literacy Workshop
- Adelaide United ALW – Brand and Media Workshop
- Canberra United ALW– Leadership & Confidence Workshop
- Melb Victory ALM – Financial Literacy Workshop
- Melb City ALW – Leadership & Confidence Workshop
- Wellington ALM – Nutrition and Cooking Workshop
- Wellington ALW – Financial Literacy Workshop
- Perth Glory ALM – Financial Literacy Workshop
- Perth Glory ALW – Leadership & Confidence Workshop
- Western United ALW – Leadership & Confidence Workshop
- Western United ALM – Financial Literacy Workshop
Other teams not listed are scheduled for later this season.
