As a foundational player for Brisbane Roar during the inaugural Isuzu UTE A-League season, Karl Dodd has returned to the club, this time as the head coach of the men’s NPL team. In a conversation with aleagues.com.au, he shares insights into the academy and his captivating coaching journey.
Karl Dodd is not only a coach but also an academic.
His story is one of an Australian mentor guiding the upcoming generation of football talents while striving to create a significant impact on their lives.
With over two years into his studies, he aims to complete his degree next year.
“As I’ve evolved personally and professionally, I view life through the lens of systems, recognising how all elements interconnect. It’s about optimising every system to reach its full potential,” Dodd informed aleagues.com.au.
“We’re tackling an issue that’s increasingly significant in sports, particularly one that hasn’t been thoroughly explored yet.”
“We’re shifting our focus beyond merely identifying victims and perpetrators, instead examining the entirety of the system. This encompasses guidelines and regulations from FIFA to government involvement—essentially, how can we truly prevent abuse in our sport?
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“The situation is fluid since perpetrators will always seek loopholes. Regulations can’t remain static; adaptation is crucial to stay ahead. However, through consistent controls, feedback processes, and systems thinking, we can enhance or optimise the framework. This approach applies not only in football but across all sports and industries.”
“We have to ask ourselves: do we engage in topics that merely scratch the surface or those that can bring about transformative, positive changes?”
“This is undoubtedly the most challenging endeavour I’ve undertaken.”
Amidst all this, the 44-year-old Queensland native balances his responsibilities as a coach in Brisbane.
A founding member of Brisbane Roar during the inaugural Isuzu UTE A-League season, Dodd has returned to the club in the role of NPL head coach for the 2025 season.
The former defender is dedicated to nurturing the Roar’s youth talent, aiming to discover the next star following academy graduate Lucas Herrington, with a focus on Queensland talent.
“I believe Queenslanders take great pride in their state, and our aim is to enable both boys and girls from Queensland to progress through the ranks and represent the top teams,” Dodd expressed.
“That alone will draw crowds. We have a strong sense of pride here, and we would love to see that representation.”
Dodd remarked, “Our youth team holds several promising players who, if we can get them fully prepared, will soon be banging on Ruben’s (Zadkovich) door.”
“Currently, we have about four or five players regularly training with him. That’s a testament to the hard work put in by the boys and the environment we’ve fostered.”
“In Queensland, the geographical landscape poses certain challenges, leading to varied demographics. Players hailing from the north often differ from those in the city, so it’s essential to cultivate a well-rounded representation, ensuring the Queensland mentality resonates across all teams.”
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Dodd plays a crucial role in bridging the gap from the academy to the Isuzu UTE A-League setup, as evidenced by James Durrington’s debut prior to the recent international break.
Having previously coached in Guam, Dodd shares a close collaborative relationship with Ruben Zadkovich, although there are many dimensions to his responsibilities as an NPL head coach.
Coaching youth football transcends merely directing on-field activities.
“Ruben is currently navigating a transitional phase with the first team, and as I step in, my objective is to develop well-rounded players,” explained Dodd.
“If Ruben opts for a specific formation, we will tailor our training to ensure our boys can adapt accordingly.”
“We have clear principles we aim to instil—playing with bravery, pressing, and working hard. Yet adaptability is key. Whatever formation or strategy Ruben wishes to adopt, I’m focused on developing our boys to meet those expectations, ensuring they won’t be deemed inadequate or lack the right attitude.”
“Much of our focus is on off-field matters, managing egos among the young players. We often find ourselves as a big fish in a small pond, unaware that we haven’t truly made it yet. I convey to the youngsters that even with a pro contract, you haven’t truly succeeded until the day you stop striving for improvement.”
“They must avoid the pitfalls of an Instagram athlete mentality; the focus must be on becoming the best version of themselves and relentlessly pursuing improvement. Other aspects are secondary; don’t get lost in that.”
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“I believe this generation is particularly affected by these challenges. With the prevalence of social media, visibility for athletes has drastically increased compared to my formative years. So it’s vital we teach them how to navigate these pressures effectively.”
“Conversations about maintaining a healthy ego are crucial; they should be confident due to their competence, as that reflects their true abilities. It’s all about striking that delicate balance.”
“Many of these boys are also juggling school commitments, requiring them to become adept at managing their time. They need to learn to be organised adults.”
The former Brisbane City head coach stated, “We prioritise personal development, as it translates to performance on the pitch, and these young players are undergoing substantial character growth as well.”
“Everyone has their moments of testing; it’s about your willingness to adapt and persist as a decent human being while pursuing improvement.”
“I’ll mention the Gold Coast boys who are now driving up for training. All five of them recently got their licences, but instead of carpooling, they’re opting to drive separately because of their newfound freedom. I remind them—let’s be practical.”
“Training is the straightforward aspect; managing everything off the field can feel like herding cats. Players must also stay on top of their schoolwork to avoid overload during assignment weeks and manage daily chores like laundry and meal preparation. These are fundamental life skills they’ll need, especially when they’re living independently as pros, which is a common cause for homesickness when playing abroad.”
“Even if a player does not make it professionally, these lessons will benefit them in any career they choose. Our role is to foster development, both on and off the field, as we serve as the first point of entry for these athletes.”
Dodd continued, “There’s a saying: you need to be young and reckless before you grow old and wise. I’m grateful social media wasn’t prominent when I was younger; I’ve learned from making many mistakes and can identify when players are off track.”
“These young athletes should enjoy themselves while maintaining their integrity and avoiding unnecessary trouble.”
“James Durrington exemplifies this well; his most significant growth hasn’t just been on the field—his off-field development has been remarkable. He is becoming a strong midfield presence; his leadership and care for others has fostered growth, translating into his gameplay. When he first arrived, he might have lacked fitness, but he returned to the youth team and has worked incredibly hard, both on and off the pitch.”
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“He’s developing into an outstanding midfield general, and his compassion for the team has greatly improved; it’s wonderful to witness how much he deserves this progress,” Dodd noted.
“This sentiment resonates with many others, as they understand that negativity and poor character will not be tolerated in our group. I’ve already had to let some players go for that reason, as it directly affects our performance.”
“If you’re unwilling to embody camaraderie, you won’t fit in here. That’s not our club’s philosophy. Our identity hinges on supporting one another, which serves as our strength and competitive advantage.”
Dodd, who also played for Wellington Phoenix and North Queensland Fury during his A-League career, is closely engaged with the prospects at Roar.
He holds high expectations for a “handful” of promising talents.
“There’s a strong group of players emerging that I truly believe will make the step up to the top team in this coming year or so,” he stated.
“My aspiration is for them not just to make the A-League squad but to claim a starting position. This is the mentality we want to cultivate.”
“I aim to develop players who will thrive in that environment. Otherwise, if they merely train for a year and never play, it could lead to a premature exit due to insufficient performance.”
The Roar’s youth are reaping the benefits of having a coach who previously spent four enlightening years leading the team in Guam.
Ranked at the bottom of the world, Dodd took the reins in 2017 as part of an ambitious effort to transform football in Guam.
This experience continues to influence him.
“Where do you even begin? Your values are challenged daily; isolation tests your commitment,” Dodd reflected.
“Navigating a philosophy involves not just the players but also the board and support staff.”
“It’s a continual learning curve where personal validations and direction are scrutinised until you gain momentum or legitimacy.”
“As a newcomer, you can feel like an outsider selling a dream—time and consistent results are essential. From a coaching perspective, I’ve learned to simplify strategies to a fundamental level, ensuring clear communication with players.”
“In Guam, I worked with elite players from MLS and USL, and I was challenged in developing connections with those who hadn’t been introduced to the depth of instruction I received in my own career.”
“So establishing effective communication was crucial to ensure my messages were understood—if not, that would lead to lengthy explanations, which can eat into training time.”
“That experience was invaluable. It encompassed tests, travel, and learning to operate as a CEO—I’ve likely equipped myself to work in the travel industry now.”
“It was the most significant leap in my coaching development; you believe you’re a solid coach until life hits you with unexpected challenges.”
Featured image: Brisbane Roar
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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