Performance psychology

NWS Spirit FC is privileged to work closely with Luca Falcone as our performance psychologist across Junior, Youth and Senior programs.

Luca is a proudly local player turned coach who is closely affliated with Macquarie Dragons from the local NWSF association. Luca joined NWS Spirit FC as part of our Mens First Grade coaching staff in 2019, supporting David Perkovic as assistant coach for over six years. During this time, our Mens First Grade have enjoyed great success, including promotion into NPL1, two historic Australia Cup runs (including a Round of 16 match against Melbourne Victory in 2024) and a Waratah Cup win in 2023. Luca’s expertise and experience has provided invaluable for our Senior players. Now, all players, coaches and parents across the club have the opportunity to engage with Luca, to further enhance their mental skills as part of our “relentless DNA”.

Why performance psychology?

We believe in the integration of performance psychology…

  • To enhance the mental performance and mental skills of our Spirit FC people
  • To educate our players, coaches/staff and parents on how mental skills that support high performance
  • To increase awareness of mental skills and how they support the development of a holistic, high achieving person & player

Our club is built on a holistic approach to development and performance – the NWSF DNA. This framework for football guides our programs and people, with a clear remit to develop mental skills through the DNA attribute of “relentless”, which we define as “people who constantly strive to develop themselves and are resilient to challenges & setbacks“. This quality can be specifically developed through performance psychology.

Who can benefit?

Players

Luca is available to players through individual consultation and session packages. Luca can provide support for high-performing players looking to further enhance their individual development, as well as supporting people who require support around resilience and confidence. NWS Spirit FC also provides opportunities for players to engage with Luca through presentations that are held throughout the season and communicated via team managers as part of our player education programme. To book Luca for an individual player consult, email via thinkfirstpsychology@gmail.com or call on 0413 239 432.

Coaches

We believe coaches can be developed in the same way players can, and that specific upskilling on mental skills and performance psychology can greatly enhance coaching practice. Coaches can seek out individual consultations and packages by contacting thinkfirstpsychology@gmail.com or via phone on 0413 239 432.

Parents

Managing a child in a representative football environment can be a rewarding and challenging experience for parents. There are many considerations and unique circumstances in which parents can benefit from performance psychology. Luca provides insight to support parents with the development of mental skills that then support the progression of your child as they engage with football, and life. Parents are encouraged to speak to Luca for consultation and packages via thinkfirstpsychology@gmail.com or call on 0413 239 432.

For further insight into what Luca can provide, current Spirit FC players & parents can find a recent presentation as part of our DNA Day by clicking here.