2026-2028
Football Plan
This ambitious plan shares the journey ahead, outlining what we want to achieve and how we’ll hold ourselves accountable. The Sharks are on the road back to the top, and we want the whole community to be part of it.
Achieving these goals will take discipline, teamwork, and a lot of hard work from everyone across the club - players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters alike. By sharing them openly, we’re making a promise to stay accountable to the people who put their trust in us.
This plan is more than words on a page. It’s a commitment to action and a reminder of what the Sharks stand for: honouring our history, staying true to our community, and putting in the hard work required to return to the top and build success that lasts well into the future.
OUR GOALS
NPL pREMIERS
Our goal is clear: win the NPL Premiership within three years, with at least half of the First Grade squad developed through the Sharks pathway. This will not only deliver silverware but also prove that homegrown talent, developed with discipline and dedication, can succeed at the highest level.
Youth Promotion
Secure Youth promotion to NPL1 at the next available opportunity, ensuring our pathway competes at the highest level. This will give our players the challenge and exposure they need to grow, and restore the Sharks’ reputation as one of the state’s strongest development programs.
Community Connection
We will build trust and strengthen partnerships with the SSFA and local clubs by making Sharks players and coaches more visible, sharing knowledge, and supporting clear pathways for local talent. This will help connect grassroots and elite football and deliver lasting benefits for players and families across the Shire.
Gold Status Pathway
By 2027 we will lift our JDL program from Silver to Gold, reaching Football NSW’s highest benchmark for coaching, player development and program quality. With the same system coming to Youth in 2026, our goal is to achieve Gold there too by 2027, setting the standard for excellence at every stage of our pathway.
How We’ll Get There
Four focus areas driving our plan
To achieve our key objectives, the Sharks will focus on four main areas that shape every part of our football program. Each area sets the standards we need to reach and provides the framework for the initiatives and targets that follow.
1. Performance
Results matter, but they must be built on strong foundations. We will set clear targets across all teams, balancing success on the pitch with continual player growth and enjoyment of the game.
2. Best Practice Programs
We will raise our programs to meet Football NSW’s highest standards, delivering consistent coaching, strong development frameworks, and a clear playing identity across every age group.
3. Pathways & Education
From grassroots through to senior football, we will strengthen and clarify the pathway for every player. With better progression, coach development, and structured support, our aim is to prepare more players for senior football and beyond.
4. Community
The Sharks are part of a much bigger football ecosystem. We will work hand in hand with the SSFA and local clubs to share knowledge, align pathways, and ensure that our success lifts the whole Shire community.
1. PERFORMANCE
While results on the pitch matter, Sutherland Sharks FC understand that individual player development and the continual enjoyment of the sport are also paramount to our football program. That being said, our football plan must still focus on the following to ensure we meet our target of a top 4 position across all competitions.
| Initiative | KPI |
|---|---|
| First Grade – Win the Premiership Build a high-performance environment that combines elite coaching, targeted recruitment, player development, and video analysis to position First Grade as consistent contenders to win the NPL title within three years. | Win the First Grade Premiership within the next 3 years |
| Youth – NPL1 Promotion Strengthen youth development through elite coaching, player progression pathways, and alignment with the Sharks Football Identity Pyramid to secure promotion to NPL1 within two years. | Youth – promotion to NPL1 in 2 years – the next opportunity |
| Pathway – First Grade Debuts Embed a clear youth-to-senior pathway by providing Youth and U20 players with development opportunities, first team training integration, and match exposure to ensure at least two graduates debut in First Grade each season. | Minimum of two Youth/U20 graduates debuting in First Grade each season |
| Local Player Pathways Strengthen alignment with SSFA clubs through transparent talent identification and grassroots partnerships to ensure 70% of Sharks youth squads are filled with players from the Suthelrand Shire by 2028. | 70% of Sharks squads with players originating from SSFA clubs by 2028 |
| Improve Player and Parent Education Offer regular educational workshops for players and parents on topics such as nutrition, injury prevention, mental health, and understanding the game, to support the holistic development of players and lift parental involvement. | Host a minimum of four educational workshops annually, with at least 75% attendance from targeted participants |
| Expand and Improve Facilities Invest in expanding and upgrading club facilities, including securing additional field space, dedicated female change rooms and facilities for training, culture and team building events across the club. | Complete upgrade of female/male change rooms by 2026 season. Secure additional field for training by start of 2026 season |
2. Best Practice Programs
Our Football Program ensures the club is aligned with Football NSW’s high standards across the entire player pathway – from JDL and Youth through to Senior football. It lays the foundation for achievement having obtained a Silver Rating in 2025 and sets the stage for a Gold Rating by 2027 within JDL. This reflects our commitment to excellence in player development, coaching, and program quality at every level, positioning the Sutherland Sharks as a leader in nurturing talent and delivering high-performance football across all age groups.
| Initiative | KPI |
|---|---|
| Communicate Playing Style and Player Profiles Communicate our club-wide playing style, along with detailed player profiles for each position that guide individual player development within the Sutherland Sharks model. | Ensure playing style and player profiles are communicated by TD's across all teams before 2026 season launch. |
| Coaching Methodology Principles Document and communicate our established coaching principles across relevant age groups and ensure they are communicated clearly to all coaches through training and workshops. | All coaches trained and implementing the club's methodology, with a score of at least 8 out of 9 points by 2027. |
| Coach Development Plans Under the direction of the TD, individualised development plans for each coach will be provided. | Ensure coaching plans available for all coaches before the 2026 season begins |
| Ensure Compliance with Required Qualifications By the end of the 2026 season, all coaching staff must meet and preferably exceed the minimum qualification requirements as per FNSW Club Standards. | TD is A License qualified by 2026 season. Ensure all youth coaches min B License for 2026 Season. |
| Improve Player and Parent Satisfaction Enhance the overall experience for players and parents through targeted improvements in communication, facilities, coaching, and support services to increase satisfaction and retention. | Establish Net Promoter Score benchmark (now complete). Increase NPS by 20 by the end of 2027. |
3. Pathways & Education
We are building a clear and sustainable pathway that develops players and coaches from grassroots through to senior football. With strong progression tracking, retention strategies, and alignment to Football NSW standards, we are ensuring opportunities for advancement while future-proofing the club through coach development, succession planning, and community engagement.
| Initiative | KPI |
|---|---|
| Club-Wide Identity Embed the Sharks Football Identity Pyramid and playing philosophy across all age groups to ensure full alignment and consistency by 2026. | Alignment of Sharks Football Identity and Philosophy in all age groups by 2026. |
| Youth Integration Create structured training opportunities for U18s and U20s with First Grade to accelerate development, strengthen pathways, and prepare players for senior football. | U18s and U20s regularly train with First Grade. |
| Youth Progression Benchmarks Establish clear, measurable benchmarks for youth players to track development and support progression through each stage of the Sharks pathway. | Clear benchmarks for youth players to progress. |
| Elite Player Pathways Develop and showcase talent capable of advancing beyond the NPL by increasing the number of Sharks graduates securing A-League, W-League, or overseas contracts. | Minimum of 2 Sharks graduates earning A-League, W-League, or overseas contracts each year by 2028 |
| Representative Pathways Elevate player development standards to increase Sharks representation in Football NSW programs and national team squads. | Minimum of 2 gaining representation in Football NSW and National team squads each year by 2028. |
| Player Retention Strategy Our player retention strategy includes regular structured feedback sessions, personalised development plans and continual investment in our facilities and programs. | Achieve a minimum 80% player retention rate year-on-year across all youth teams. |
| Female Participation in Mixed/Boys Pathway While the club has already enjoyed success in its 2025 JDL Program, we aim to further promote and support the inclusion of female players in mixed or boys' teams to encourage diversity and development. This will be revisited if the club is in a position to provide a female pathway in the future. | Ensure at least 4 female players are actively participating in the mixed or boys' pathway each season. |
| Technical Succession Implement a structured succession plan for coaches and Technical Directors to ensure stability and continuity when key personnel change. | Maintain a coaching and TD succession plan to avoid disruption when key personnel leave. |
4. COMMUNITY
Our intent is to strengthen our role as an integral part of the Sutherland football ecosystem by building our partnerships with the SSFA and their member clubs. Through shared coaching experiences, player appearances, and transparent talent identification, we will create stronger connections between NPL and community football. With clear KPIs for local player representation, coaching engagement, and increased community attendance, the Sharks will ensure long-term alignment with SSFA and reinforce our identity as the flagship club of the Shire.
| Initiative | KPI |
|---|---|
| Bi-Annual Coaching Exchanges Facilitate regular knowledge-sharing between Sharks coaches and SSFA clubs to strengthen grassroots capability. | Minimum of two Coaching IP Exchanges (Sharks TDs and coaches deliver workshops). |
| Player & Coach Community Presence Promote visibility of Sharks players and coaches within SSFA clubs to inspire young players and deepen connections. | Sharks players/coaches present at SSFA club sessions and gala days. |
| Transparent Player Pathways Develop a clear and trusted system for identifying and progressing local talent in partnership with SSFA. | Talent ID processes aligned with SSFA to ensure transparent player progression. |
| Annual Coach Development Support community clubs by providing access to Sharks-led workshops that raise coaching standards across the Shire. | 100% SSFA clubs engaged in annual coaching workshops. |
| Community Matchday Engagement Strengthen ties between Sharks and the local football community by encouraging greater SSFA attendance at first grade matches. | Year-on-year increase in SSFA club attendance at Sharks first grade matches. |
Download the Plan
Our 2026-2028 Football Plan is available in full for players, families, and the wider community. By sharing this document openly, we’re holding ourselves accountable to the goals we’ve set and the standards we expect.
Inside you’ll find the complete detail behind our objectives, initiatives, and KPIs — from First Grade ambitions to grassroots pathways and community connection.