This ambitious plan shares the journey ahead, outlining what we want to achieve and how we’ll hold ourselves accountable. The Sharks are on the road back to the top, and we want the whole community to be part of it.
DOWNLOAD THE FPFC FOOTBALL PLAN
Achieving these goals will take discipline, teamwork, and a lot of hard work from everyone across the club – players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters alike. By sharing them openly, we’re making a promise to stay accountable to the people who put their trust in us.
This plan is more than words on a page. It’s a commitment to action and a reminder of what we stand for: honouring our history, staying true to our community, and putting in the hard work required to return to the top and build success that lasts well into the future.
OUR GOALS
NPL PREMIERS
Our goal is clear: win the NPL Premiership within three years, with at least half of the First Grade squad developed through our pathway. This will not only deliver silverware but also prove that homegrown talent, developed with discipline and dedication, can succeed at the highest level.
YOUTH PROMOTION
Secure Youth promotion to NPL1 at the next available opportunity, ensuring our pathway competes at the highest level. This will give our players the challenge and exposure they need to grow, and restore our reputation as one of the state’s strongest development programs.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
We will build trust and strengthen partnerships with the SSFA and local clubs by making our players and coaches more visible, sharing knowledge, and supporting clear pathways for local talent. This will help connect grassroots and elite football and deliver lasting benefits for players and families across the Shire.
GOLD STATUS PATHWAY
By 2027 we will lift our JDL program from Silver to Gold, reaching Football NSW’s highest benchmark for coaching, player development and program quality. With the same system coming to Youth in 2026, our goal is to achieve Gold there too by 2027, setting the standard for excellence at every stage of our pathway.
OUR GOALS
FOUR FOCUS AREAS DRIVING OUR PLAN
To achieve our key objectives, FPFC will focus on four main areas that shape every part of our football program. Each area sets the standards we need to reach and provides the framework for the initiatives and targets that follow.
1. PERFORMANCE
Results matter, but they must be built on strong foundations. We will set clear targets across all teams, balancing success on the pitch with continual player growth and enjoyment of the game.
2. BEST PRACTICE PROGRAMS
We will raise our programs to meet Football NSW’s highest standards, delivering consistent coaching, strong development frameworks, and a clear playing identity across every age group.
3. PATHWAYS & EDUCATION
We will build trust and strengthen partnerships with the SSFA and local clubs by making Sharks players and coaches more visible, sharing knowledge, and supporting clear pathways for local talent. This will help connect grassroots and elite football and deliver lasting benefits for players and families across the Shire.
4. COMMUNITY
We are part of a much bigger football ecosystem. We will work hand in hand with the SSFA and local clubs to share knowledge, align pathways, and ensure that our success lifts the whole Shire community.
1. PERFORMANCE
While results on the pitch matter, we understand that individual player development and the continual enjoyment of the sport are also paramount to our football program. That being said, our football plan must still focus on the following to ensure we meet our target of a top 4 position across all competitions.
INITIATIVE
KPI
First Grade – Win the Premiership
Build a high-performance environment that combines elite coaching, targeted recruitment, player development, and video analysis to position First Grade as consistent contenders to win the NPL title within three years.
Win the First Grade Premiership within the next 3 years
Youth – NPL1 Promotion
Strengthen youth development through elite coaching, player progression pathways, and alignment with the Sharks Football Identity Pyramid to secure promotion to NPL1 within two years.
Youth – promotion to NPL1 in 2 years – the next opportunity
Pathway – First Grade Debuts
Embed a clear youth-to-senior pathway by providing Youth and U20 players with development opportunities, first team training integration, and match exposure to ensure at least two graduates debut in First Grade each season.
Minimum of two Youth/U20 graduates debuting in First Grade each season
Local Player Pathways
Strengthen alignment with SSFA clubs through transparent talent identification and grassroots partnerships to ensure 70% of Sharks youth squads are filled with players from the Suthelrand Shire by 2028.
70% of Sharks squads with players originating from SSFA clubs by 2028
Improve Player and Parent Education
Offer regular educational workshops for players and parents on topics such as nutrition, injury prevention, mental health, and understanding the game, to support the holistic development of players and lift parental involvement.
Host a minimum of four educational workshops annually, with at least 75% attendance from targeted participants
Expand and Improve Facilities
Invest in expanding and upgrading club facilities, including securing additional field space, dedicated female change rooms and facilities for training, culture and team building events across the club.
Complete upgrade of female/male change rooms by 2026 season. Secure additional field for training by start of 2026 season
2. BEST PRACTICE PROGRAMS
Our Football Program ensures the club is aligned with Football NSW’s high standards across the entire player pathway – from JDL and Youth through to Senior football. It lays the foundation for achievement having obtained a Silver Rating in 2025 and sets the stage for a Gold Rating by 2027 within JDL. This reflects our commitment to excellence in player development, coaching, and program quality at every level, positioning the Sutherland Sharks as a leader in nurturing talent and delivering high-performance football across all age groups.
INITIATIVE
KPI
Communicate Playing Style and Player Profiles
Communicate our club-wide playing style, along with detailed player profiles for each position that guide individual player development within the Sutherland Sharks model.
Ensure playing style and player profiles are communicated by TD’s across all teams before 2026 season launch.
Coaching Methodology Principles
Document and communicate our established coaching principles across relevant age groups and ensure they are communicated clearly to all coaches through training and workshops.
All coaches trained and implementing the club’s methodology, with a score of at least 8 out of 9 points by 2027.
Coach Development Plans
Under the direction of the TD, individualised development plans for each coach will be provided.
Ensure coaching plans available for all coaches before the 2026 season begins
Ensure Compliance with Required Qualifications
By the end of the 2026 season, all coaching staff must meet and preferably exceed the minimum qualification requirements as per FNSW Club Standards.
TD is A License qualified by 2026 season. Ensure all youth coaches min B License for 2026 Season.
Improve Player and Parent Satisfaction
Enhance the overall experience for players and parents through targeted improvements in communication, facilities, coaching, and support services to increase satisfaction and retention.
Establish Net Promoter Score benchmark (now complete). Increase NPS by 20 by the end of 2027.
3. BEST PRACTICE PROGRAMS
Our Football Program ensures the club is aligned with Football NSW’s high standards across the entire player pathway – from JDL and Youth through to Senior football. It lays the foundation for achievement having obtained a Silver Rating in 2025 and sets the stage for a Gold Rating by 2027 within JDL. This reflects our commitment to excellence in player development, coaching, and program quality at every level, positioning the Sutherland Sharks as a leader in nurturing talent and delivering high-performance football across all age groups.
INITIATIVE
KPI
Communicate Playing Style and Player Profiles
Communicate our club-wide playing style, along with detailed player profiles for each position that guide individual player development within the Sutherland Sharks model.
Ensure playing style and player profiles are communicated by TD’s across all teams before 2026 season launch.
Coaching Methodology Principles
Document and communicate our established coaching principles across relevant age groups and ensure they are communicated clearly to all coaches through training and workshops.
All coaches trained and implementing the club’s methodology, with a score of at least 8 out of 9 points by 2027.
Coach Development Plans
Under the direction of the TD, individualised development plans for each coach will be provided.
Ensure coaching plans available for all coaches before the 2026 season begins
Ensure Compliance with Required Qualifications
By the end of the 2026 season, all coaching staff must meet and preferably exceed the minimum qualification requirements as per FNSW Club Standards.
TD is A License qualified by 2026 season. Ensure all youth coaches min B License for 2026 Season.
Improve Player and Parent Satisfaction
Enhance the overall experience for players and parents through targeted improvements in communication, facilities, coaching, and support services to increase satisfaction and retention.
Establish Net Promoter Score benchmark (now complete). Increase NPS by 20 by the end of 2027.
4. BEST PRACTICE PROGRAMS
Our Football Program ensures the club is aligned with Football NSW’s high standards across the entire player pathway – from JDL and Youth through to Senior football. It lays the foundation for achievement having obtained a Silver Rating in 2025 and sets the stage for a Gold Rating by 2027 within JDL. This reflects our commitment to excellence in player development, coaching, and program quality at every level, positioning the Sutherland Sharks as a leader in nurturing talent and delivering high-performance football across all age groups.
INITIATIVE
KPI
Communicate Playing Style and Player Profiles
Communicate our club-wide playing style, along with detailed player profiles for each position that guide individual player development within the Sutherland Sharks model.
Ensure playing style and player profiles are communicated by TD’s across all teams before 2026 season launch.
Coaching Methodology Principles
Document and communicate our established coaching principles across relevant age groups and ensure they are communicated clearly to all coaches through training and workshops.
All coaches trained and implementing the club’s methodology, with a score of at least 8 out of 9 points by 2027.
Coach Development Plans
Under the direction of the TD, individualised development plans for each coach will be provided.
Ensure coaching plans available for all coaches before the 2026 season begins
Ensure Compliance with Required Qualifications
By the end of the 2026 season, all coaching staff must meet and preferably exceed the minimum qualification requirements as per FNSW Club Standards.
TD is A License qualified by 2026 season. Ensure all youth coaches min B License for 2026 Season.
Improve Player and Parent Satisfaction
Enhance the overall experience for players and parents through targeted improvements in communication, facilities, coaching, and support services to increase satisfaction and retention.
Establish Net Promoter Score benchmark (now complete). Increase NPS by 20 by the end of 2027.