From the Pitch
Head coach Tommy on what drives every session at Elite Performance Futbol — and why it's different from what you'll find anywhere else.
Ask Tommy what the biggest mistake young players make and the answer comes without hesitation. It's not a lack of talent — it's the habits nobody corrects.
"Bad habits — that's a big one. Fixing those habits. Being sharp in what we do. We see a lot of kids just standing still. Always moving, always bouncing, even if it's just bouncing around."
— Tommy, Head Coach
At EPF, coaching starts with undoing the habits that hold young players back — standing still, switching off, going through the motions. From the first whistle, players are expected to move with purpose.
Walk past a lot of youth training sessions in Sydney and you'll see the same thing — kids running pre-set patterns, following rigid instructions, learning a system instead of learning to play. EPF does the opposite.
"A lot of teams nowadays it's a robotic system — we're not doing that. We're playing European football."
— Tommy, Head Coach
Sessions are built around constant movement and creative play, not rigid drills. Players learn to read the game, make decisions under pressure, and trust their feet — not just follow instructions.
EPF's coaching methodology is modelled on European development — technical skill, sharp movement, game intelligence. The goal isn't just to win under-10s games. It's bigger than that.
"We want to get the kids ready not for Australian football, not hitting long balls — we want to teach them European football, so if they do go well, our aim is to get them into a system overseas or in a professional system where they can just adapt straight into it."
— Tommy, Head Coach
Every session at Doohan Reserve is designed to prepare players for the highest level they can reach — whether that's a competitive club pathway, a rep squad, or something bigger. The foundation is the same either way.
Every player who walks onto the pitch at EPF has ability. The coaching is about unlocking it — building confidence and decision-making so players trust themselves in the moment.
"We want them to trust their instincts. Every single player can do it — it's just being developed and taught how to do it, that's all it is. We just want to give them the best opportunity that there is."
— Tommy, Head Coach
That's the mission — not to create robots who execute drills, but to develop footballers who back themselves on the ball and make smart decisions when it counts.
The hardest thing to teach a young player isn't a skill — it's the mentality to keep performing when things aren't going their way. Tommy and the coaching staff push players past their comfort zone every session for exactly this reason.
"Everything we do is mental. We want to try and break that barrier. Laziness is a big key mistake — wrong attitude. Not do one good thing, do one bad thing. Consistent. Keep that flow going."
— Tommy, Head Coach
The aim isn't occasional brilliance — it's repeatable, consistent performance. That's what separates development from just turning up. And that's what parents see after a term at EPF: a player who competes for the full session, not just the first ten minutes.
See It in Action
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