The Evolution of Football Coaching in Australia: An Historical Overview and Research Review of Coach Accreditation, Education, and Development

This chapter provides an overview of football in Australia, with a particular focus on the advancement of the game, and the development of coaching pathways, coach education, and coaching methods amongst Australian football coaches. Drawing from several cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies conducted in Australia, the chapter also provides a review and critical analysis of research in the field, with a particular focus on game-based coaching methods and coach mentoring programmes. Finally, the MASTER coach development programme will be introduced. This includes a presentation of the MASTER coaching framework and mentor-based education programme for football coaches, and evidence to support the feasibility and impact of the programme for use with community and representative level football coaches of junior athletes. Considering the information and evidence presented, recommendations for future research directions, policy, and practice in football in Australia will be posed.