ABOUT US
Football Smarts Academy is fun, supportive and encouraging environment for developing the fundamentals of football including core skills, attacking and defending. The reason it exists is to help players learn the fundamentals of the game in a non-competitive environment. See us on Facebook / Instagram or check flier for email contact.
At our Academy & School holiday programs we focus on developing confidence and creativity with the ball (ball mastery). This is done through making sure each player has a ball at their feet regularly, by playing small sided games and understanding the roles of players as well as positioning in preparation for larger game formats. This assists in improving football decision making including purposeful execution of football skills
Football Smarts™ released a first football-themed app "My Club Statistics" in 2020.
OUR COACHES
GENE LASHCHUK
Gene has worked with players from Under 5 through to Under 18/ Reserves and Senior level and has coached within the Football South Australia SAP/SDP/STIC programs with players aged between U9- U14. He enjoys seeing players being positive and brave with their football and watching many progress through to higher levels of the game be that through Senior NPL grades, the FSA State teams between u13 and u16 or into Adelaide United's NPL Senior teams. Most recently, seeing names from previous SAP reach A league teams has been particularly motivating, many of them who faced very different pathways on their journey.
Gene took an U12 team to Manchester City's famous academy in 2017 as part of their football journey and a team to Wolves, Reading and Tottenham in 2024! He is always keen to work with young, enthusiastic players of all clubs. Gene coached U15 & U18 teams as well as helped with coach development in 2024. In 2025 he helped around the u16 space. In 2026 he will be assisting the senior team of Noarlunga and helping Sturt Lions in the junior spaces.
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AFC/FFA B Licence
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AFC/FFA Futsal Level 1 License
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FFSA SAP/SDP 2015-2020
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Sturt Lions FC 2013-2026
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Noarlunga FC Seniors 2026
ALAN PAICE
Alan's coaching experience ranges from U6 through to Senior Mens Football, He was awarded 'Australian Coach of the Year 2013/14, has coached within the Football South Australia SAP/STIC programs and is the current MiniRoo Technical Director at Sturt Lions FC. Alan has a passion for the "Skills factory" sessions that he runs on the morning of all holiday clinics ensuring that each player can develop the necessary functional ball and game skills for the future. He is currently the Assistant coach for U18 at Sturt Lions FC.
JASON GARRETT
Jason is a C-Licensed coach who has extensive experience at both Birkalla and Sturt Lions FC working with all age groups between U6-U18/Reserves. He has coached within the SAP program for U11-U12 and is currently helping in the u18/Reserve space at Sturt Lions. Jason has a passion for the game and is still running around Hewitt, Manson or Karinya on Friday nights scoring goals regularly! A great role model for our young players.
MITCH HUME
Mitch is a C-Licensed coach who has extensive playing experience. He was until recently, the U15 JSL A coach at Sturt Lions. Mitch is also a teacher who brings a wealth of experience to the team and is involved heavily in the Roma Mitchell Academy programs.
JD
JD is a coach the yong players absolutely love having! He is now a senior player, and part of the 2026 Sturt Lions NPL squad. He came to Gene and Jason as an u9 player and worked his way through JPL teams and SAP/SDP teams but is Blackwood at heart. JD is also a fantastic communicator and coach having coached in the juniors at SLFC for 2+ years now.