Sport
24 July, 2025
Good Counsel College’s inaugural partnership with Liverpool FC International Academy
LAST Wednesday, Good Counsel College in Innisfail created history when it launched an exciting international partnership with elite football club Liverpool FC.
This collaboration with the club’s international academy means students will have access to world-class football coaching. GCC coaches will receive mentorship and guidance from Liverpool’s expert team and enable delivery of a program focused on technical skill development, game intelligence, resilience, and leadership.
At the heart of this partnership is a shared set of values that are central to ‘The Liverpool Way’ which resonate deeply with the Marist and Catholic ethos at GCC. Both institutions believe in nurturing not only talent, but to inspire young people to be the best version of themselves.
“This initiative marks a first-of-its-kind international partnership for the College, bringing one of the most respected names in world football to Far North Queensland. Coaches will receive elite training in the philosophies and practices of ‘The Liverpool Way’- a coaching framework grounded in humility, unity, ambition, and commitment. These values strongly align with the Marist and Catholic ethos of GCC, which makes this partnership a natural fit,” said Paul Melloy Principal of GCC.
A discussion between Melloy and the College’s HPE department about his experience in establishing academies in New Zealand prompted PE teacher Jacob Vecchio to investigate. Vecchio emailed all 22 of the English Premier League teams, Liverpool FC replied and after much planning the idea became a reality.
GCC and Liverpool FC International Academy are set to introduce a co-curricular high-performance soccer school program starting in 2026, which will see the delivery of top-tier soccer education and training. Aspiring young soccer players throughout the Cassowary Coast will have access to world-class coaching and development, eliminating the need for travel outside their local region.
Students will have pathway opportunities into tertiary education in sport, health and fitness at the Australian College of Physical Education.
Jacob Vecchio will work closely with Liverpool’s coaching team and lead the implementation of the International Football Academy program at GCC.
A free Community Day will be held this Saturday, July 26 at Good Counsel College from 9.30am - 3.00pm for players aged 6 to 16. These 30-minute skill clinics run by accredited LFC International Academy coaches provide an authentic training experience which includes technical skills and small games and LFC giveaways. For further information on session times and bookings, please visit https://bit.ly/4m8KKOP
Read More: Innisfail