DOC Football Academy & All Abilities Hub

Football Academy. David O’Connor founded the DOC Football Academy in Singapore in 2002 where he coached in the S- League. He recognised the need for an academy when he discovered there was a lack of grass roots coaching being offered to the children of Singapore. DOC Football Academy grew very quickly to become the leading Academy in the country. In December 2004 David returned to Melbourne and spent almost a year setting up the Academy here to make sure that it was ready to offer the very best coaching possible for all kids, Boys and Girls alike. DOC Football has always been very pro-active from day one in promoting Girls involvement in our great game and are proud of the way Women's soccer has developed over the past 5 years in particular. The most important thing was to get the right coaching staff and we believe that we have done that as all the coaches have been handpicked by David himself. There are a great many coaches in the game of soccer that can teach skills and game concepts. We use the great game of soccer as a vehicle to develop players to their full potential to be future leaders on and off the field. DOC Football Academy trains players from other Clubs. Our programs focus on fostering a positive environment that allows the development of highly skilled players and teams, as well as leaders for tomorrow. Huge Potential for DOC players
DOC Football Academy is affiliated with English league club Sheffield Wednesday and talent scouts for them. We have taken a number of our players overseas to train with professional clubs in the UK and had one selected to train with A-league club Melbourne Victory. Over the past five years 12 Academy boys have signed for professional clubs in the Victorian Premier league, Plus two have signed for A-league clubs. This is an achievement which we at the academy are proud of, as it proves to us that we are on the right track. Our number one objective is and always will be to give our kids the knowledge and skill to follow their dreams of playing the game professionally or just to be a very good social player. DOC Football Academy runs three programs:

Soccer Kick - For Beginners

DOC Kick - For Competent Players

DOC Football Academy - For Elite Players (players can't come into the group until they reached a certain standard and is by invitation only)

DOC Football Academy coaches kids from as young as 4 years of age

We look after the other end of the scale also with our Golden Oldies:
DOC Football has run training for Veterans for many years. This is for players over 35 years of age who still want to have a kick but just for fun and fitness not in an over competitive way. We have players still playing over sixty years of age. Our commitment
DOC Football believes in giving back to the communities in which we live. We work actively within the community to raise funds for charities. Over the past few years we have raised money for many worthwhile causes such as the Lions club, Special Needs and the recent tragic Melbourne bushfires, to name a few. DOC Football assists players to obtain education/sports scholarships at selected colleges and to date has successfully obtained these scholarships for a number of players. DOC Football runs a program for people with special needs. David personally coaches the kids and generously dedicates his time. He wants to expand this program and intends to form a special needs league in the near future. Why shouldn't these kids play the sport they love. We know that all our kids can achieve so much if only they are given a chance. At DOC Football they are certainly given that chance. They are much loved and a huge asset to us and our future. Our Vision
DOC Football is proud to offer soccer programs at every level – Special Needs groups, Competitive, Recreational and Developmental. The traditional goals of our soccer programs include, but are not limited to, providing a structured, challenging learning environment where friendship, teamwork and lifetime mental & physical fitness can evolve. The Academy and Club offer the most positive outlets for soccer players and is a place where the community can come to make friends and enjoy a good social atmosphere. Mission Statement
DOC Football’s ‘Commitment to Excellence’
• Creating an environment where players are developed to their fullest potential and have the best chance of self-actualizing as citizens, students and athletes.
• Providing professional leadership, high quality coaching and instruction with an emphasis on life skills, discipline, strategy, good health and having fun, fun, fun!
• Establishing a culture and atmosphere where family values, sportsmanship, fair play, honesty, integrity and loyalty are the foundation for the future at DOC Football.
• Reaching out to our community through our commitment of Community based projects and charity work.