Futball Funda

From backyard sessions with her dad in New Jersey to becoming one of the top strikers in Australian football — this week on Futball Funda , we sit down with Kelli McGroarty for an inspiring conversation about resilience, mindset and the relentless pursuit of excellence. A former Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year, NCAA Division I standout at La Salle University and University of Iowa, Kelli sh...

In this episode of Futball Funda , we sit down with Kosta Drakoulakos , founder of 747 Fitness and one of Australia’s most respected strength & conditioning coaches , working with footballers, AFL players, MMA fighters and elite athletes across the country. If you’re a young footballer who wants to get stronger , faster , stay injury-free , and take your game to the next level, this is the epi...

💬 “Players don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” That’s the mantra of Simon Zappia , Senior Manager at Melbourne City Academy , and it’s the heart of our latest episode of Futball Funda ⚽🔥 Simon opens up about what real development means and shares what drives players like Craig Goodwin, Jordy Bos, Akeem Gerald, Matt Baker, Thomas Nasoo, Jayden Necovski, and Ryan Kalm...

In this inspiring episode of Futball Funda , we sit down with Akeisha Sandhu, an elite footballer and qualified osteopath who recently led South Melbourne FC to victory in the 2025 Nike Cup, sealing the win with that unforgettable penalty. Akeisha opens up about the grit and grind behind the glory, sharing valuable insights into leadership on and off the pitch, the importance of recovery, strength...

In this special episode of  Futball Funda , we sit down with  Justin Micallef , Head Coach of South Melbourne FC’s Senior Women’s team. Fresh off a massive victory at the  2025 Nike Cup, Coach Justin shares his incredible journey from grassroots to elite coaching, offering powerful insights for young players, parents, and fellow coaches.  In this episode, we dive into: How Justin got into coaching...

In this inspiring episode of Futball Funda, we sit down with Nahuel Bonada – a true baller who's taken the long road from playing on the streets of Argentina to shining on the field for South Melbourne FC 🇦🇷➡️🇦🇺 Nahuel opens up about his early life chasing the ball on the streets of Argentina, how football shaped his mindset, the move to the other side of the world and what it takes to keep chasin...

In this episode of Futball Funda, we sit down with Mauricio Novak, whose football journey has taken him from the tough streets of Brazil to coaching the next generation right here in Australia. Mauricio opens up about: Playing through hardship and why football is more than just a game in Brazil His own battle with serious injuries — and how he bounced back What separates average players from elite...

What separates the good players from the great ones? In this episode, we’re joined by leading Sports and Performance Psychologist Michael Inglis, who has worked with elite athletes across AFL, Rugby, and Football. Michael dives deep into the mindset needed to thrive under pressure, how to bounce back from mistakes, and what it really takes to build mental resilience. Whether you’re a young baller,...

In this episode, we sit down with Ayana Aoyagi, a globetrotting goalkeeper who's just signed with South Melbourne FC’s senior women’s team in Victoria’s NPL. Ayana opens up about her journey through the beautiful game—starting out as a young outfield player and making the bold switch to goalkeeper, which eventually took her from grassroots football in Australia to the USA and Japan. She shares...

Get ready for the incredible story of Hassan Jalloh! In this episode he opens up about the challenges of being a young striker chasing big league dreams, injury setbacks, and his epic comeback helping a team in Iceland get promoted! Hear about his unwavering respect, his hard work ethic, and how he made his dreams a reality. A truly inspiring journey!

In Episode 2 of our podcast, we sit down with Casey Reibelt, a top FIFA referee who has officiated at the World Cup and across international tournaments. Casey shares her journey into refereeing, from starting at just 15 to making it to the global stage. She opens up about the challenges of decision-making, handling pressure, and the role of VAR in modern football. Casey also discusses the importa...

Joining us today for our very first episode is Carlo Africa. His journey from a young player to a football coach is inspiring, and he's got tons of wisdom to share with us. In this episode we discuss what are some key attributes that young players need to develop, how much training is enough, tips to going pro and much more. Get ready for an exciting podcast episode filled with incredible stories...