GIS Students Go Behind-the-Scenes with Bentleigh Greens in Melbourne Residential

As part of our GIS programmes, students have the chance to combine online study with on-campus residential weeks in some of the biggest sporting cities in the world.

Recently, our MSc Football Coaching & Analysis students headed to Melbourne, where their experience included a day with local side Bentleigh Greens.

Playing in the National Premier League Victoria, the club competes in the country’s second-highest tier. Working as their Senior Academy Analyst is Matthew Fazio, who recently graduated from GIS with a degree in MSc Football Coaching & Analysis.

Hosting our students at the club alongside Technical Director and former Socceroo Kimon Taliadoros, Matthew spoke to GIS, running us through the students’ experience.

The opportunity first involved observing the Bentleigh Greens first team preparing for a pre-season match, as well as quizzing the head coach after the game on his football philosophy and preferred style of play. 

“The value students gain from practical trips and experiences as a former GIS student myself,” Matthew began, “is the practical insights into football clubs around the world and how each team operates.

“They can experience different playing styles and the methodology behind each style. On top of this, they gained insight into the behind-the-scenes of a matchday from pre-match preparations to post-match analysis.” 

On his role as Senior Academy Analyst, Matthew then told us that, despite the pressures of the role, it is a rewarding one.

“It’s a job that requires a lot of knowledge of football tactics and strategies. It can become stressful if the team has three games in seven days to the point where the work will dig into some of your own personal time. 

“However pursuing a career in analysis also has its amazing rewards, including working with professional athletes/coaches on a daily basis, travelling the world, learning from head analysts and more experienced analysts to help develop your own analysis skills, football knowledge and/or tactical strategies.”

Overlapping with our GIS Australia Global Sports Summit, the residential also gave students the chance to hear from industry guest speakers and to network with fellow GIS students.

One guest speaker session was with Emma Checker, former Matilda and current manager of NPLW side Melbourne Victory. In partnership with Football Coaches Australia, students in attendance gained official time towards their coaching Continuing Professional Development (CPD), accredited by Football Australia.

Overall, the Melbourne residential offered the students the chance to combine their flexible online studies with real-world application, including trips to local clubs like Bentleigh Greens where the students gained first-hand exposure to match preparation, tactical analysis and industry expertise. 

To learn how you can kickstart your career in coaching, analysis, or a multitude of other sporting disciplines, discover our course offerings today.
Article by Zakaria Anani