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Coach/TM Guidance

This template has been developed to give Coaches & Team Managers ideas on information that may be useful to increase engagement with parents/carers and players in their team.

It is intended to make it clear to everyone what playing for Middle Park Football Club means and to give you the opportunity to explain how your team will operate during the season so expectations are set.

You do not have to use any of the slides that have been prepared.

You may add many more slides. You know your team and how to engage people best. Some of the information on these slides might spark off ideas to discuss with your team to help make it the most successful & rewarding season possible for all.

It is recommended that you organise a team Season Kick-off event pre-season. What this looks like is completely up to you.

Perhaps pizza one night after training, or a longer chat after training or dinner at a local venue. It's important to get as many parents and players there as possible so that everyone hears these key messages at the same time.

You may like to consider combining the team Season Kick-off at the same time that your uniforms are due.

You can then make the kit presentation to each player memorable, to highlight the importance of what it means to be a Middle Park Football Club member.

Feel free to provide any feedback or ideas for improvement to middleparkfc.juniors@gmail.com

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OUR TEAM!

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INSERT TEAM PHOTO

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Our Expectations

Player Responsibility

    • Respect your coaches, team members and opposing teams
    • Always arrive to games and training on time.
      • Games - 30 mins before kick off
      • Training - 10 mins before start time
      • If setting up for home games - 45 mins before kick off
    • Ensure you are in the correct uniform
      • You will be advised when to wear the away kit
    • Respect the referees.

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Parent Responsibility

    • Ensure your child arrives on time for games and training.
    • Respect the coach, players, referees and opposition.
    • Watch & support your child at games and training.
    • Arrive on time when it's your turn to support with any team activities that are assigned to you eg referee, linesperson, setup / pack up.
    • Communication - advise us when you are running late or non-attendance via our team WhatsApp for training and games.
    • Volunteer for club activities ie BBQ’s, committees etc

Our Expectations

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Reminders

Win with grace and lose with dignity – we are always representing the club in everything we do.

Arrive at games & training early enough to help with set up – if the coach is doing setup then they are not getting the team ready to play.

Clean and sweep up change rooms (if used), check the pitch for any lost items and keep Equipment Room organised when we are finished.

Support your Team Managers by anything required for the team.

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18 rounds (may include byes)

First game is Friday 20 March

Catch-Up Rounds (no games scheduled):

June 7, August 9

Final game is weekend of Sept 6

Final: 13 Sept

Competitions Calendar

State League Men’s

18 rounds (may include byes)

First game is Sun April 26

Catch-Up Rounds (no games scheduled):

  • Women’s June 7, August 2
  • Metro June 7, August 9

Final game is Sunday Sept 6

Finals

  • Women’s September 13
  • Metro Sept 13 & 20

State League Women’s & Metro

Seniors Season 2026

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18 rounds (may include byes)

First game is Sat April 25 or Sun April 26

Catch-Up Rounds (no games scheduled):

June 6/7, July 4/5

Final game is weekend of Sept 5/6

Games are played throughout school holidays

MiniRoos (U7-U11)

18 rounds (may include byes)

First game is Sun April 26

First sixgames are grading games

(except for A-Grade teams)

Catch-Up Rounds (no games scheduled)

June 7, July 5

Final game is Sunday Sept 6

Finals Sunday Sept 13 & 20

Games are played throughout school holidays

Junior Leagues (U12-18)

Juniors Season 2026

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Everyone contributes

18 ROUNDS IN A SEASON (may include byes)

    • Up to 9 Away Games
    • Up to 9 Home Games (JL Murphy Reserve or Lagoon Reserve)
    • Every family rostered for the season
    • Linesperson - see mpfc website/resources tab for guide on running the line.
    • Scorer - if delegated this task from TM - see mpfc website/resources tab
    • Ground Marshal - if delegated this task from TM - see mpfc website/resources tab
    • Home games only - set up before the game/pack up after
    • Player energy source: Oranges/lollies
    • Referee fee payment
      • if an assigned FV referee this is managed via Football Victoria.
      • if a club referee - payment is to referee directly (Junior League is refunded, Miniroos is paid direct by team/parents, not refunded)
    • Captain - may be selected for the season or each week for your team
    • Assisting with the BBQ at JLM when requested to help with fundraising for the club

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OUR TEAM– XX players

    • List each player

OUR COACHES

    • List Head Coach and coaching team

OUR TEAM MANAGER

    • List Team Manager

OUR GUEST COACHES

    • Are there any planned? Eg Goalkeeper Coach, Professional Female NPL players

Our Team

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Our Team Goals for the season

Develop skills as individuals and as a team

Develop individual and team resilience

Develop a love for the game

Have fun in a positive learning environment

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Playing as much as possible!

    • Training (1-2 x per week) xxx days, times, locations
    • Individual player development plans
    • Individual player practice/homework
    • Training Assessment intervals every 6 weeks (3 times a season)
    • Practice matches early and frequently
    • Tournaments (pre-season, post-season and during season) - see mpfc website/resources tab for list of tournaments. Note that tournament fees are additional to registration fee.

Training is the MOST IMPORTANT activity of the week!

Principles for the season

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Training

Mandatory 2 training nights per week, unless otherwise agreed

Training attendance may affect game time

Day of the week

Time of training

Who else they train with (if relevant)

Do they need to wear a particular kit eg away kit etc

Do parents need to stay to watch etc

Include Extreme Weather Policy - FV Extreme Weather Policy.pdf

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List the skills you want your team to master this year

Training - Skills Acquisition Phase

Ball Mastery

Ball skills, first touch, second touch, striking the ball, running with the ball, 1-1 skills

Receiving and passing

Positioning without the ball, what space means

Game skills

Game positioning and their role, working for each other

Fitness

Strength, speed, endurance, injury prevention

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If appropriate, can detail what the season plan looks like

Could be in blocks/months/etc

Training Season Plan

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If relevant, can list out drills

Training Drills

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Individual Development Plan

Every player will have their own development plan

    • Ball Mastery: turning, shooting, passing, dribbling
    • Game and position specific skills
    • Decision making

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Team Events

MPFC provides an allowance for each team - this can be used for events, trophies, awards, or tournament entry and costs.

Some teams choose to use this allowance to partly fund an end of season celebration.

The amount of the allowance for each team will be finalised after all registrations are in.

Season Kick-Off event

Mid-Season get together

End of Season celebration

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The Parkers Song

Well, it’s a grand old team to play for,

And it’s a grand old team to see.

And if you know your history,

It’s enough to make heart go ‘whoa-o-o-o’.

We don’t care what the other boys say.

What the hell do we care?

‘Cause you always know,

That there’s gonna be a show,

And the Middle Parkers will be there!

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Our Locations

  • Pitch 16E, Aughtie Drive, Albert Park
  • Pitch 3, JL Murphy Reserve, Port Melbourne
  • Lagoon Reserve, Port Melbourne

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OUR SPONSORS

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OUR PARTNERS

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Middle Park FC Website - www.mpfc.com.au

Check out the MPFC website for lots of great information about our club and its proud history. Middle Park FC

The Resources tab in particular has information about:

    • Tournaments
    • Season calendar
    • Guides on running the line
    • Ground Marshall responsibilities
    • Football Victoria fixtures
    • Training schedule
    • Links to the Macron Shop to purchase additional uniform kit.

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Safeguarding for Volunteers

The safety of children and vulnerable individuals is a top priority for us.

As a volunteer, you are required to:

    • Complete any necessary background checks (WWCC) and safeguarding training (via Volunteers: Sports Integrity Aus or Coaches: Football Aus)
    • Attend Volunteer Welcome BBQ
    • Be vigilant about safeguarding risks and report any concerns immediately to memberprotection@mpfc.com.au.
    • Follow all safeguarding guidelines provided by the Club.

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Health & Safety Procedures

The health and safety of our players, coaches, and volunteers are of utmost importance. Please adhere to the following guidelines:

Always check the environment for hazards before starting any activities.

Be aware of the first aid kit location and the designated first-aid volunteer.

Make sure all equipment is in good condition before use.

Be aware of our Extreme Weather Policy FV Extreme Weather Policy.pdf

Follow any instructions from coaches or club management in case of accidents or injuries.

Keep an eye out for our new ‘safety management software’!

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CODES OF CONDUCT

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Coaches & Team Managers

Every participant in our sport has a role to play in ensuring that the game is free from physical and verbal bullying and abuse, and that it is played in a competitive and fair manner.

All participants of our game have a responsibility to promote respect and good behaviour.

As leaders, Coaches and Team Managers must demonstrate the behaviour that they expect their players and spectators to follow.

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All participants of our game have a responsibility to promote respect and good behaviour to ensure our clubs, and our game is free from physical and verbal bullying and abuse.

All players must abide by this Code of Conduct and demonstrate good quality behaviours that provide a welcoming environment for our sport.

Responsibilities:

1) Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit.

2) Respect all other participants and the rights and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background, or religion.

3) Play fair, play by the rules, and play to the best of your ability, always.

4) Be a good sport, displaying modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.

5) Respect the equipment and facilities provided to you as part of your program.

6) Be honest with your coach concerning illness and injury, and your ability to train and play.

Players

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7) Never yell at, ridicule, or criticize other participants. They are all trying their best.

8) Co-operate with your coach, teammates, referees, and opponents. Without them, there would be no competition.

9) Respect and follow the directions of your team officials and referees.

10) Do not argue with the Match Official. If you disagree, have your captain or coach approach the Match Official during a break in play or after the Match is concluded.

11) Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players, deliberately distracting or provoking another person is not acceptable or permitted in any sport.

12) Be respectful whether you win or lose. Shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game.

13) If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable at your club speak to someone you trust.

Players cont…

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All spectators of our game have a responsibility to promote respect and good behaviour to ensure our clubs, and our game is free from physical and verbal bullying and abuse.

All spectators and parents must abide by the Club’s Conditions of Entry and demonstrate good quality behaviours that provide a welcoming environment for our sport.

Responsibilities:

All spectators attending a Match or otherwise involved in any activity staged or sanctioned by FFA, FV or an affiliate Regional Association or Club must:

1) Respect the decisions of Match Officials as being fair and called to the best of their ability and teach children to do the same.

2) Respect the performances and efforts of all participants including players, coaches, officials, etc.

3) Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake or losing a game.

Spectators & Parents

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4) Remember that your child and all players participate in the sport of football for their enjoyment and not yours.

5) Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, language, politics, national or ethnic origin.

6) Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language or harassing players, coaches, or officials.

7) Never use violence in any form towards another person including fellow spectators, Players or Match/Team Officials (including Coaches and Ground Marshalls).

8) Not engage in acts of discrimination, harassment, or abuse towards any person, including:

a. the use of obscene or offensive language and/or gestures.

b. the incitement of hatred or violence.

9) Comply with all Conditions of Entry including provisions relating to security screening, intoxication, and items that are prohibited by law or restricted by policy from being brought into the Venue.

Spectators & Parents cont…

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Spectators & Parents cont…

10) Never throw missiles, projectiles, or objects of any description at Players, Match Officials, or fellow spectators.

11) Not enter or attempt to enter the field of play or playing arena without lawful authority.

12) Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided.

13) Refrain from any disorderly conduct or conduct that may injure the reputation and goodwill of the club and the code of Football generally.

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Here’s to a wonderful 2026 Season!

Go Parkers!