Fernando brings coaching to the classroom

"I've been playing football from a young age, and it has taken me all over the world, allowing me to continue playing, learn English and experience different ways to play the game," said Fernando.

"I played in America, but my goal was always coming to Australia. When I arrived, I spent two years not playing football. Then, I started playing futsal and football again and managed to get invited to the NSW Estate Futsal Team, but I couldn't commit enough to the team because I was studying, so I decided to become a coach."

Fernando then asked Andrea Icardi, the Technical Director of the Milan Academy in Sydney, to join the group and learn from him. After a three-month wait, he received an invitation to come along and learn.

His association with AC Milan took him to Italy to learn what they do in the youth space. He also visited significant clubs in Brazil and California.

"I started getting results in my first year, and I love coaching because I don't stop learning and improving. To this day, I have friends that are professional coaches, and I participate in professional groups of coaches back home in Brazil. We share information to keep learning and developing," he said.

While based in Sydney, he was part of the youth development at Manly United FC, winning the U20 NPL Competition before becoming a Technical Director at Christchurch United in New Zealand's Mainland Premier League while helping to develop and deliver New Zealand's national coaching programs before he returned to Australia.

Now settled on the Gold Coast, Fernando has joined TAFE Queensland's Academy of Sport as a Foundation Educator, training high school students at Football Queensland's headquarters.

"Being able to bring my skills to coach team members to become better players is the best part; you can share ideas, introduce them to different training structures and different ways to play the game," Fernando said.

Lambert is also an internationally licensed coach, having completed Brazilian A Licence (UEFA Accredited) and Australian B Licence coaching programs, having done working experience with acclaimed clubs like Corinthians, Sao Paulo and Gremio.

He also earned coaching qualifications in the United States and recently completed his training as a cognitive football instructor.

"Coaches influence a participant's enjoyment of the game more than anyone else. It's massively important that young players get involved in football courses as it helps give them a more structured coaching session, developing them into better players," Fernando said.

"Young people passionate about football should get involved to learn more about it. Whether within their community or with the Academy of Sport, the extra knowledge on how to play the game is beneficial, no matter what level they're playing at."

Through the Academy of Sport TAFE at School program, year 10, 11, or 12 students train at Football Queensland while undertaking a Certificate II in Sport Coaching (SIS20321) focusing on football.

Students undertake sports-specific training in an immersive athlete development environment that combines theory and hands-on delivery to advance their learning. This gives them the essential coaching skills required to conduct coaching sessions in community-based sports clubs and organisations.

The program fits in with students existing high school studies, replacing one of their senior schooling subjects, which also contributes to their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

Within the course offered by Football Queensland, students are introduced to all elements of football, developing their skills and knowledge of the game.

"I can see the students' skill development during each session. They've gone from kicking the ball around and having fun to getting structure, understanding the game better, and knowing how to attack and defend," Fernando said.

"If they can get an understanding and structure, they can form discipline within themselves, this can make players blossom, and they start to find their own feet and learn within the game."

Fernando is a firm advocate for players pursuing their ambitions. Taking advantage of opportunities like the Academy of Sport to reach their goals can be the first step in their journey.

"Start playing the game, and if football is your passion, take that extra step and look at the Academy of Sport. Whatever your ambitions in football are, there are ways to explore becoming the best player you can be - and getting there starts with taking the first step."

By developing their coaching skills, they set their people and leadership skills which they can take for life. The coaching qualification is more of an introduction to leadership management and can apply to all areas of life," concluded Fernando.