FOOTBALL CANBERRA IN JAPAN
Date: Sunday 27th September to Monday 5th October 2026
Age range: Boys aged 13 to 15 in October 2026
Ability: NPLB
Cost: $3,500 Player & $3,000 Supporter (Cost does not include flights)
EOI Deadline: 31st March 2026
Register on the QR code
FOOTBALL CANBERRA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Term 2: Friday evenings
24th April to 5th June 2026
Boys sessions and women's sessions
Ability: NPL & SAP
Cost: $300 per term or $50 a night
Register on the QR code
OUR STORY
Football Canberra is dedicated to being immersed in a holistic approach to football player and coach development.
Philosophically, Football Canberra recognises the importance of enhancing the person first, to then developing an individual’s competencies, enabling the player or coach to perform in a competitive team sport to the highest level of capability.
OUR VALUES
To deliver knowledge and expertise, guiding people along their football journey, through a multitude of pathways.
To be transparent, authentic, and realistic towards goals and expectations.
EXPERTISE
Football Canberra draws on expertise gained from an elite level of experience in the football industry across the globe, along with accredited evidence of the most prestigious football coaching qualifications, and with a history working with children and young people in sport and education.
IAN WORTHINGTON
Ian holds the UEFA A Licence in Coaching Football and has a football career spanning thirty years. Holding the Asia FA A-Licence and Australia A-Licence. Ian's coaching career has enabled several young players to play professionally and Internationally during his time at Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Burnley.
ROBIN WORTHINGTON
ROBIN WORTHINGTON
ROBIN WORTHINGTON
Business Director Robin Worthington has worked in administration for over 25 years
in various roles in medical recruitment, accounts, clinical examination management, higher degree research and student administration as well as research
management. Robin completed a Diploma in Management and a Mini MBA program with the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).
FRANK CACHIA
ROBIN WORTHINGTON
ROBIN WORTHINGTON
Head Coach and Australia A-Licence holder, Frank Cachia, led Canberra Olympic Men’s team to the 2016 Australia Cup Semi-Finals, and was crowned Champions with the club in a sensational treble-winning year. Frank was Head Coach of Canberra Olympic Women in 2025, with whom he claimed League Championship and Grand Final glory in 2024, Cachia
Head Coach and Australia A-Licence holder, Frank Cachia, led Canberra Olympic Men’s team to the 2016 Australia Cup Semi-Finals, and was crowned Champions with the club in a sensational treble-winning year. Frank was Head Coach of Canberra Olympic Women in 2025, with whom he claimed League Championship and Grand Final glory in 2024, Cachia also has a Grand Final, Australia Cup Qualifying Final and Charity Shield winners medal from 2022.
TROY BOOTS
ROBIN WORTHINGTON
TROY BOOTS
Head of Goalkeeping Troy, is an Australian B Licence coach with an extensive career in goalkeeping. Founder and owner of the Boots & Gloves Goalkeeping Academy, Troy works in partnership with Football Canberra in the centre of excellence along with clubs in the Canberra region.
Troy is excelling at professional and international level wor
Head of Goalkeeping Troy, is an Australian B Licence coach with an extensive career in goalkeeping. Founder and owner of the Boots & Gloves Goalkeeping Academy, Troy works in partnership with Football Canberra in the centre of excellence along with clubs in the Canberra region.
Troy is excelling at professional and international level working with both Canberra United in the A league women and the Para Matildas where he will head to the World Cup in 2026.
HARRY MENZIES
MICHAELA THORNTON
MICHAELA THORNTON
Coach Harry holds the AFC B-Diploma in Football and both the Certificate in Strength and Conditioning and Goalkeeper Coaching qualifications. Harry is a PE and Exercise Science Teacher who moved back to his hometown to take on the role of Technical Director of Yamba Football Club and launch the Clarence Football Academy in Northern NSW.
MICHAELA THORNTON
MICHAELA THORNTON
MICHAELA THORNTON
Physiotherapist Michaela Thornton is the Physiotherapist, holding a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, a master’s degree in Physiotherapy, a FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine, Level 1 and Level 2 Certificates in Sports Physio as well as Certificates III and IV in Fitness. She has previously worked with the Young Matildas and Canberra United..
RITCHIE BRANAGAN
MICHAELA THORNTON
RITCHIE BRANAGAN
International Programs Manager Ritchie, is a former professional footballer & youth international, now a UEFA B licensed coach, currently managing the International Programme at Bolton Wanderers. Ritchie managed SRC Hiroshima’s Academy in Japan, he has developed strong relationships across English & Japanese football clubs with a huge network to enable the future of young players.
RUSS GIBBS
MICHAEL REID
MICHAEL REID
Head of Communications, Russ Gibbs, currently works as Senior Manager of
Strategic Communications for the FIFA Oceana Football Confederation . Russ was Head of Communications at Canberra United and was a commentator at the Women's World Cup.
MICHAEL REID
MICHAEL REID
MICHAEL REID
Head of Safeguarding & Welfare Michael Reid, has worked as a senior psychologist in NSW Health counselling children and their families in various settings including the child protection unit at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. He was a senior trainer of child protection workers and is the former Director of Child Protection Services.
Head of Safeguarding & Welfare Michael Reid, has worked as a senior psychologist in NSW Health counselling children and their families in various settings including the child protection unit at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. He was a senior trainer of child protection workers and is the former Director of Child Protection Services. He was also previously the Director of Youth Justice in the ACT.
CALUM KENNEY
MICHAEL REID
CALUM KENNEY
Leader of Kit and Equipment, ‘kit man Cal’ resides in the north west of England , studying Sport and is a season ticket holder at Bolton Wanderers. Calum is a football coach with foundation phase players.
Calum started his role as Kit Man on the 2026 UK Tour ensuring the dressing room was prepared and the warm up was set up before every
Leader of Kit and Equipment, ‘kit man Cal’ resides in the north west of England , studying Sport and is a season ticket holder at Bolton Wanderers. Calum is a football coach with foundation phase players.
Calum started his role as Kit Man on the 2026 UK Tour ensuring the dressing room was prepared and the warm up was set up before every game ensuring a professional environment for all of the Football Canberra players.
LATEST NEWS
SMITH AND WALDREN UK OPPORTUNITY
At the end of the UK Tour in 2025, Josh Smith and Isaac Waldren were identified by three different Talent ID football professionals. So upon returning to the UK in January 2026, Josh and Isaac were given the opportunity to train with two English Football Clubs. Thank you to Bolton Wanderers Official and Macclesfield FC for providing a memorable experience around aspiring professional players and the highest quality coaches.
Football Canberra UK Tour
7th to 17th January 2027
JUNIOR MATILDA TEHYA ASPLAND
Tehya Aspland has been selected in the CommBank Junior Matildas U17 squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026.
Tehya was identified by Women's teams in England on the recent Football Canberra UK Tour
EMERGING MATILDA ISLA MURPHY
Isla Murphy has been selected in the 2026 Emerging Matildas National Championships and will represent ACT U16's this week.
Isla was on the recent Football Canberra UK Tour and performed excellently throughout.
BOY"S CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Term 2: Friday evenings
24th April to 5th June 2026
Boys sessions
Ability: NPL & SAP
Cost: $300 per term or $50 a night
Register here: https://forms.gle/gT65J2gSthhYpLXg7
WOMEN"S CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Term 2: Friday evenings
24th April to 5th June 2026
Women's sessions
Ability: NPL & SAP
Cost: $300 per term or $50 a night
Register here: https://forms.gle/imSXEirZoV9qXETb7
EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP GROUP FOR UK TOUR 27
Football Canberra are proud to have compiled one of the most experienced Tour Management groups you are likely to find for their Tours of the United Kingdom.
The Football Canberra United Kingdom Tour runs from 7-17 January 2027 and is for Boy’s aged 16 - 19.
INDIGENOUS DESIGN TO APPEAR ON FOOTBALL CANBERRA UK TOUR SHIRTS
Football Canberr 2026 UK Tour playing shirt featured a unique, one-of-a-kind indigenous design. Provided by Macron, the kit, which consists of a vibrant combination of Football Canberra’s navy and red stripes, includes a design created by Tia Burridge, a youngster of indigenous heritage.
SPONSORSHIP FOR 2026: LENNOCK MOTORS
Football Canberra is delighted to announce that Lennock Motors will sponsor Football Canberra in 2026. 
Football Canberra would like to thank George Miklas and the team at Lennock Motors.
For those looking for a vehicle, look no further than Lennock Motors and mention Football Canberra. https://www.lennock.com.au/
You will see our jersey at Lennock Hyundai when you pop in.
MAJOR SPONSORSHIP FOR 2026: RAY WHITE
Football Canberra is delighted to announce that Ray White will be our major sponsor for 2026.
We would like to thank Scott Jackson and his team for their incredible support.
The generosity of Ray White will enhance the experience and opportunities for all players who attend Football Canberra Education programs in 2026.
Centre of Excellence
UK Tour Boys
UK Tour Women
Thank you!!!!
MCGREGOR SIGNS PRO IN SWEDEN
Congratulations to Archie McGregor who has signed a professional contract in Sweden with Athletic Football Club Eskilstuna, also known as AFC Eskilstuna or simply AFC, is a Swedish professional football club based in Eskilstuna
ASPLAND STARS FOR YOUNG MATILDAS
Tehya Aspland #16 played in the Australian Under 16 team in the Asia Championships Semi Finals and Final.
Tehya & The CommBank Junior Matildas secured their place in the Final of the ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championships 2025™ after a 3–0 win against tournament hosts Indonesia. In the Final they faced defending champions Thailand and won 1-0. Football Canberra looks forward to Tehya being part of the Football Canberra team in the UK in January 2026.
Congratulations to Tehya and her family!
REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS
Football Canberra is delighted for three boys who represented Capital Football at this week's National Youth Championships in Melbourne as Emerging Socceroos.
We can't wait to see you back in Canberra wearing Football Canberra and Boots & Gloves Academy colours.
Well done Isaac, Cooper &. a special mention to Lachlan Forno who travelled despite injury.
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