Off The Bench Football

In April I took a bit of a gap month away from the daily grind to spend some time walking over 430km on my second Camino through Portugal and Spain with my great mate Grant. Whilst it was a personal challenge, it also doubled as an opportunity to help raise funds for dementia research for the Queensland Brain Institute.

Of course, from an “Off The Bench” football perspective, there was absolutely no way I was missing the opportunity to take in a couple of matches along the way!
I’ve been fortunate enough to attend Premier League matches before, along with a couple of games in Italy, so getting a taste of Portuguese football was another exciting prospect.

The first match was Sporting CP v Santa Clara in front of a completely packed stadium, with Sporting winning 4-2 in a cracking atmosphere.

The second was FC Porto v Nottingham Forest in a Europa Cup quarter-final which finished 1-1 and was another outstanding football experience.

One thing I noticed immediately was that both stadiums were absolutely full — and speaking with locals and other fans, that simply seemed to be the norm rather than something unusual or reserved for major occasions.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the ticket pricing. Even needing to purchase through a reseller, my quarter-final ticket positioned around 13 rows back in an excellent seat only cost 80€, which works out to roughly around AUD$130-140. Considering the occasion, atmosphere and quality of the experience, I thought that represented outstanding value.

Now whilst the football itself was quality, what interested me most were some of the observations around the overall matchday experience when comparing it to not just Australian and New Zealand football, but really all codes in general back home.

Firstly, football in Portugal felt like a true family affair. Grandparents, kids, teenagers, mums and dads — everyone attended together and there was a real sense of community around the grounds.

One thing that really stood out was the non-sale of full-strength alcohol inside the stadiums. Instead, there were plenty of quality food outlets along with zero beers available, which was actually great. I could still enjoy a couple of tasty beers while watching the football and lots of people were taking that option.

Fans could still have a few drinks across the road before heading in if they wanted, but once inside the venue the focus shifted completely to the football, atmosphere and shared experience. As a result, you simply didn’t see the drunken antics, abuse or aggression that can unfortunately creep into many stadium sporting environments across Australia and New Zealand at times.

The passion though? Still absolutely next level. Singing, chanting, scarves in the air and genuine emotion — but it all felt controlled and respectful. Almost everyone seemed to be wearing club merchandise which added to the colour and identity of the occasion.

It reinforced to me that sport at its best is about community, family and creating environments where people of all ages feel comfortable attending together. There are definitely elements of the European matchday experience that many sporting codes and venues back home and in NZ could continue to learn from moving forward.

Off the Bench Football watching Sporting Lisbon win 4-2 at Home 🇵🇹

Just a quick reminder that I’m away until May 1st so Off the bench will take a short break ….

Season done and dusted at Westmac, with all girls teams finishing second — not bad, but we might need a chat about that top spot next year!🤣🤣

The Year 7s were especially unlucky, missing first by just one point….

Massive thank you to all the girls — your effort, energy, and team spirit made it such a fun season to be part of. Loved every minute of it and can’t wait to go again next year ⚽️

Shane's Camino Trek for dementia research at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute This April, I’ll walk 350km of El Camino across Portugal in honour of my mum, Sandie, who passed away in early 2026 after early-onset dementia. This journey celebrates her life and raises vital funds for dementia research at QBI.

Excellent early morning session to kick off the 2026 Girls Football Programme at Westmac today!
Absolutley delighted to see these two superstars wearing their OTB kits!

HNY !!

As we start to think about football again in 2026
I’m available to again to start scheduling training sessions for Term 1.

Just shoot me a DM with perhaps a preferred day etc and we can get to work😆⚽️

💛 Thank You, Off The Bench Team– What a Year ⚽️

As 2025 comes to a close, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported Off The Bench this year.

It’s been genuinely awesome to work with each and every one of the kids in some capacity — whether through 1-on-1 sessions, small groups, school team training or sessions to get ready for an upcoming tournament. Watching their confidence, skills, and love for the game grow has been incredibly rewarding.

Stepping away from senior coaching was a really difficult decision for me but choosing this path has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. Working closely with over 32 young players in 2025 and Westmac College has reminded me why I love coaching — it’s about development, enjoyment, and helping kids believe in themselves.

Thank you to the families for the trust and support, and to the kids for bringing the energy, smiles, and effort every session. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and excited for what’s ahead in 2026.

Enjoy the break and see you back on the pitch soon ⚽️
Kind Regards Shane

At Off The Bench Football, we couldn’t agree more with this photo below and parents thoughts. ⚽

Youth football should be about love for the game, growth, and shared moments — not sideline drama or politics. When the final whistle blows, what matters most are the memories made and the lessons learned together.

Let’s all keep our focus on supporting, encouraging, and being present for our young players as they grow — both on and off the pitch.

Season 2026 incoming 😉