![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/michael-cooper_20260411_emc-coaching-workshop_avellino_mark-58.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhile elite on\u2011field competition remains the foundation of the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships, the tournament continues to strengthen its role as a whole\u2011of\u2011game development platform through a program of workshops supporting players, coaches, referees, parents and football administrators.<\/p>\n
A major focus of this year\u2019s Championships was the expansion of High Performance Physical Testing through Perform+, giving national team staff and Member Federations deeper insight into the physical attributes of Australia\u2019s next generation of talent.<\/p>\n
Almost 500 players undertook testing during the Championships, mirroring the protocols used at professional and national team level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Assessments included sprint speed, jump height and body measurements, providing objective data to complement technical and tactical analysis.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CommBank Junior Matildas head coach Michael Cooper.<\/p>\n
CommBank Junior Matildas head coach Michael Cooper said the testing continues to add meaningful context to player identification and long\u2011term development.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe High Performance Physical Testing has been a great addition to the Emerging Matildas Championships,\u201d Cooper said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt highlights the importance of physical performance at an elite level and helps us establish benchmarks for profiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile not the deciding factor, it gives us key insights. Importantly, the information collected helps us to identify and develop training programs needed to support players\u2019 growth through their journey to fulfil their potential.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"EMC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/emc-testing.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
High Performance testing at the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships.<\/p>\n
Football Australia General Manager of High Performance Andrew McKenzie said the Championships represent an important entry point to the national team pathway.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Emerging Championships are the start of the pathway for our National Teams and an important competition for selection for our U17 teams,\u201d McKenzie said. \u201cIntroducing players to physical testing routines and the Perform+ program helps prepare them for what they may experience in future national team environments.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper development was another key pillar of the workshop program, with specialist goalkeeper education sessions aimed at identifying and nurturing Australia\u2019s next generation of CommBank Matildas shot\u2011stoppers.<\/p>\n
Football Australia Goalkeeper Coach Educator Neil Tate said performance data plays a vital role in profiling young goalkeepers.<\/p>\n
\u201cTesting provides crucial data that allows us to profile physical and athletic potential for identifying future national team goalkeepers,\u201d Tate said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe then use this information to guide training programs and individual development plans.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Neil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/neil_tate20260411_emc-coaching-workshop_avellino_mark-71.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Football Australia Goalkeeper Coach Educator Neil Tate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Off the pitch, Football Australia continued its commitment to inclusion through the Multicultural Initiative and Gala Day, hosted in partnership with La Trobe University.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The initiative provided Australia\u2019s newest communities with a welcoming football environment, highlighting the sport\u2019s ability to connect participants through a shared love of the game.<\/p>\n
At the grassroots end of the pathway, the Coles MiniRoos Come and Try Session introduced younger participants to football in a fun and accessible setting, reinforcing the Championships\u2019 role in inspiring the next generation.<\/p>\n
![\"Coles](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/coles_miniroos_20260410_emc-miniroos_avellino_mark-39.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Education also extended to referees, with Football Australia Head of Referees Jon Moss leading workshops involving Member Federations and Championship coaches.<\/p>\n
The program brought together the country\u2019s most promising 16\u201319\u2011year\u2011old referees, providing exposure to tournament football and elite development expectations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese Championships provide an important opportunity for emerging referees to gain experience officiating matches at a national tournament level,\u201d Moss said. \u201cHopefully we\u2019ll see future A\u2011League and international referees emerge from this environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Referees](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/referees_workshop_20260410_emc-ref-workshop_avellino_mark-38.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Referees Workshop at the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships.<\/p>\n
Daily Technical Study Group meetings, led by Josh Kennedy and Ian Crook, brought coaches and technical directors together each morning to review match footage and discuss trends observed throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n
Coach education remained a cornerstone of the Championships, with more than 70 coaches from across Victoria \u2014 ranging from C Licence to Pro Licence \u2014 attending a four\u2011hour education session.<\/p>\n
FIFA High Performance specialist April Heinrichs spoke on talent identification from international and domestic perspectives, while Melbourne Victory A\u2011League Women head coach Jeff Hopkins focused on transitioning players into senior football.<\/p>\n
Michael Cooper also shared insights into what CommBank Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro looks for within the Junior Matildas space.<\/p>\n
A dedicated mentor program complemented the sessions, with four Member Federation coaches selected to work alongside Football Australia staff.<\/p>\n
Additional workshops included HUDL Hub video analysis sessions led by National Teams staff, National Teams operational briefings and a CommBank Financial Services Parent Workshop designed to support families navigating the elite football pathway.<\/p>\n
Together, the expanded program of workshops reinforces the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships as more than a competition, positioning it as a critical development environment for Australia\u2019s entire football ecosystem.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"While elite on\u2011field competition remains the foundation of the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships, the tournament continues to strengthen…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":612003,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[64,63,297272,297271,7799,952,7797,44,13833],"class_list":["post-612002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-australia","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-commbank-emerging-matildas","tag-emerging-matildas","tag-emerging-matildas-championships","tag-featured","tag-football-australia-news","tag-news","tag-press-release"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=612002"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612002\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/612003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=612002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=612002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=612002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}