Some time back, I had the privilege of meeting James Boyle. A Scotsman by birth, he has spent the last ten years in Australia, raising a family and continuing his love affair with the round ball game.
Boyle’s thirty-odd years of accumulated knowledge, experience and skill has recently morphed into Caledonia Football, a program based on a belief that the mind is potentially the most powerful tool available to the modern footballer.
It would be fair to suggest that the 48 year-old has identified an urgent need for development in that aspect of the Australian game. Boyle’s inspiration stems from two influential and respected footballing voices in the world game.
Andrea Pirlo once said, ‘Football is played with the mind, the feet are merely the tools.’ It is this approach that Boyle takes into his numerous coaching roles. He is also close friends with John Kennedy, the former Celtic and Scotland defender whose career was cut short by a horrific injury.
Kennedy has since taken on a coaching and recruitment role at Celtic and his discussions with Boyle continue to inform the way the expat approaches the game.
Currently, Calendonia works closely with the Riverstone Gunners in the north west of Sydney; a terrific club with male and female players across all age levels and abilities.
Boyle is also the SAP Technical Director and Assistant Youth Technical Director at Mounties Wanderers and the coach of the Met West under 14’s TSP (Talented Soccer Pathway) squad run by Football NSW.
His fundamental objective in coaching is to enable players to reach their full potential via an improved football intellect.
As well as his extensive club and representative coaching commitments, Boyle is a business man and quite a successful one at that.
Now a global leader, Boyle’s experience as a Senior Executive, Board member and Executive Advisor spans 25 years. He has seen a great deal in his time in business and the combination between his nine to five corporate existence and football is ever present.
That realisation birthed The Football Business, a corporate vision that aims to work with Board Members, CEO’s, Club Presidents and Directors of Football to enhance their business model and provide sustainable growth for clubs, academies and associations.
That vision now comes to fruition with an exciting event being held on November 22nd at Doltone House in Sydney’s harbour side suburb of Pyrmont.
Labelled, The Football Business Network – Executive Event and sponsored by Planit, it will be an exciting opportunity for like-minded and passionate football people to get together to discuss the beautiful game, press a little flesh and make a few contacts as well.
An opportunity to break away from the often tiresome and challenging realities of work, the event hopes to provide a space for the collective passion in the game to come to life. Gavin Rae, Manager of NPL 1 side Hakoah Sydney City East FC, will be on hand to offer his insights into football, business and the unique Australian perspective in which we exist.
Rae is the first of many planned guests who will appear at a variety of upcoming events hosted by the Football Business.
I’ll be scratching around with my notepad sniffing for a story, a comment or an angle. I’m sure those in attendance will appreciate the chance to make myriad connections and new friends, with football as the most beautiful of common bonds.
If you are in Sydney and like the sound of this free and exciting football and business collaboration, James would love you to come along.
There are still limited spots available but the attached link will reserve a place for you at this free and exciting event. Hopefully, I will see you there.
When: Thursday 22nd November, 2018 (5.30 PM – 7.00PM AEDT)
Where: Doltone House, 48 Pirrama Road Pyrmont NSW, 2009
Use the link below to register your attendance.
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