GIS Graduate on Coaching at Barça Academy Australia

From coaching in the USA to his experience at the Barça Academy Australia, a career in football coaching has taken GIS graduate Frankie Bussell around the world.

Recently completing his studies in MSc Football Coaching and Analysis, Frankie is a football coach who also works as the Technical Director at Berwick City SC, a club competing in Division 2 of Victoria’s football pyramid.

Originally from Staffordshire, Frankie started his part-time postgraduate studies in 2024, and spoke to us about his exciting experiences in the industry so far.

From GIS to Barça Academy Australia

Earlier this year, Frankie had the opportunity to move to Australia as part of the next step in his coaching career.

Based in Melbourne, Frankie started working in paid coaching roles with Football Star Academy and Football Technique Australia. Alongside these roles, Frankie began coaching as part of Barça Academy Australia camps, which are Barcelona-affiliated sessions that give kids and teenagers the chance to learn and train in the distinctive style of the club’s famous La Masia academy.

“I’ve been around football my whole life, both playing it and through my family being in the professional game,” Frankie told GIS. “Football is all I know.”

“Coaching at a professional academy is really refreshing as it allows me to enjoy the game. By being at GIS, and through modules on the course such as reflection on coach behaviour, I can make sure the kids are having as much fun as possible.”

Frankie’s GIS Experience

To help balance their studies with work in the industry, students’ learning is kept flexible, which for Frankie, was the biggest advantage of studying with GIS.

“The flexibility has allowed me to coach every single day, both in the UK, America, and now here in Melbourne.

“GIS provides constant contact with lecturers, module leads, and deputy deans, whilst also providing flexibility during the sessions of the live lectures that are two times a day; wherever you are in the world you can access it, do your work, and be able to get a degree out of it.”

Frankie also spoke about the GIS network, and how it led to him landing his first roles in sport out in Australia. This came through Yakka Sport, a proud GIS partner, who proactively connect sports students with real job opportunities around the country.

“Before moving overseas, GIS put me in contact with Yakka Sport,” Frankie said.

“They sent me a load of job vacancies, and after some valuable conversations and video calls, gave me a great opportunity to be in my current role.”

Hicham Sakhi, the co-founder of Yakka Sport who also coaches at Barça Academy Australia, emphasised the importance of actively connecting students like Frankie to these opportunities. 

“I realised that the gap between the studies and the real work experience in sport was quite big and very difficult for students to access directly, so that’s why we created Yakka Sport.

“Now is a great time to study and work in sport, especially here in Australia. This year we have the Asian Women’s Cup, next year we have the Rugby World Cup, and in 2032, we have the Olympic Games.”

Frankie Bussell on Why You Should Join GIS

Earning his UEFA C Licence, coaching overseas, and achieving a distinction on his dissertation, Frankie knows exactly what it takes to be a GIS student. So what has Frankie gained from his studies?

“Studying at GIS has allowed me to travel the world, given me opportunities I wouldn’t have had at home, and form great relationships. I’ve been exploring Melbourne, watching live games, touring the MCG, and meeting some really great people in the industry. 

“To someone who is interested in joining GIS, I’d recommend taking all the opportunities possible, whether that be the summits or living in different countries, always practically coaching so all the theory can be put into work, or benefitting from all the support from the staff at GIS.”

Article by Zakaria Anani