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Goodship ready for next coaching challenge

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Roar Guru
16th March, 2022
18

When Jake Goodship was moved on from Brisbane Roar at the end of the 202-21 season, it caused shockwaves around the A-League Women.

The Roar finished second that season, with the best attack in the league and one of the stingiest defences. They lost only one game during the regular season and had one of the best environments in the league according to a number of players and club insiders.

A few players have gone on to be part of Matildas calculations in the lead up to next year’s World Cup including the likes of Wini Heatley, Jamilla Rankin and Isabella Dalton.

In 2020-21, Brisbane scored 29 goals in 12 games and conceded only 12, four of those coming in their only loss to Canberra when Goodship was away for the birth of his second child.

The Roar struggled this season without Goodship, finishing sixth and well outside the top four.

However Goodship has moved on and is looking forward to the next challenge.

“I’ve had a great time to reflect proudly with my time spent at Brisbane, I had a great few years with the club and in particular within the women’s space and felt we had positively impacted the program from the limited resources we had available,” reflected Goodship, who has been keeping busy coaching with his academy, while also completing his Pro licence and spending time with his young family.

“I’ve been spending time at home with my family, and selfishly on my own in terms of self-reflection and professional development,” explained Goodship.

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“I’ve undertaken several Pro licence components, which provided the best opportunity to network and discuss all things football, leading and management with some of the leading coaches in the country.

“The down time also allowed me to focus on my business, The Football Company – which is a training service provider for boys and girls – but also provided a sense of time to recharge, re-energise and enjoy doing what I’m passionate about – helping young footballers develop while playing the game they love.”

With the A-League Women’s season into its finals series, there is every possibility a coaching position may open up at several clubs in the off-season.

Cortnee Vine of Sydney FC celebrates scoing a goal

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Goodship admits his time away has put him in a better position to take up any opportunities that may fall his way. He admits he has a drive to succeed at any club that he may end up at, and welcomes the challenge of not only developing players but growing a club as a whole.

“I feel if any potential roles within the national league space fall my way, then I am now in a better space to explore and discuss possible opportunities with like minded clubs,” Goodship said.

“The competitive nature of the league and the opportunity to hopefully positively impact another program and lead a group of passionate people to achieve something great and be successful is what really drives me.

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“This success comes in a number of forms, from winning games to pushing players onto the national stage radar. I also think it’s important as a leader to assist in growing a club within the local community via fan and community engagement initiatives.”

Goodship says he misses the match day experience, from seeing how the week’s preparations can come to fruition to coming up against the top football minds in the country.

“There is nothing better than match day. The adrenaline is something you can’t replicate. Personally, I love continuing to grow and testing myself against some of the league’s great coaches, such as Rado (Vidosic) and Jeff (Hopkins), who have achieved so much in the game,” he said.

One of his biggest strengths at Brisbane was the ability to create a positive culture that bred success. Goodship was quick to pay credit to the people around him at Brisbane, insisting it was crucial to have the right people on board who were all on the same page.

He is keen to do that again, admitting he was excited at the prospect of growing a club.

“The group we had a Brisbane was special, not just the playing squad, but the support staff I had. The technical support from people close by made it easier to provide the environment for everyone to enjoy and culturally set standards by which everyone bought into,” explained Goodship.

“If I went to a new club, I feel I’d be able take my learnings from Brisbane and other places I have coached at, to add and build upon any previous set foundations from previous coaches.

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“It is important to provide a process to continue to build, plan and strategise in terms of ensuring continued and sustainable success.

“All clubs have their own history and values so it would be important to align and ensure we have similar ambitions and principles to take the program further.”

With the 2023 World Cup on the horizon and the A-League Womens continuing to grow, Goodship insists it is an exciting time for Australian football. He insists the A-League Womens will continue to have relevance and will always be a platform for Australian footballers to take their game to the next level.

He admits he would love to be part of a club that is willing to invest in their players and women’s program, insisting the only way forward for women’s football is to enhance the A-League Women’s competition which will have a wholistic impact on Australian football altogether.

“The ALW has paid dividends to those clubs who have been very proactive in planning for the future and developing youth and recruiting, and attracting the right players in terms of suiting their playing style and fitting in well within the club’s set culture.

“We only need to look at the job Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory have done in regards to setting the benchmark.

“The ALW is in a fantastic space to continue to provide leading role models for young aspiring players at all levels, but also to build upon its legacy and develop players for the future of Australia’s national teams.

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“It’s been great seeing Wellington and more teams coming into the ALW to provide competitive minutes for more players within the highest level.

“Obviously it would be great to have a full extended season and home-and-away fixtures – we need to do this properly as we need the league to grow and ensure clubs have longevity and stability.

“I see the league continuing to provide a platform for players to develop and push on for either national team selections or put themselves in a window for overseas club opportunities.”

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