Tim White will be taking the next step in his coaching career with FC Barcelona

The 28-year-old, who has served six years as the South West Victorian Football Association’s regional academy head coach and technical director, is taking his next step on his goal to becoming a professional coach with Spanish super-club FC Barcelona. 

White, who grew up in Warrnambool after moving from Melbourne, will learn everything he needs to know to take his coaching to the next level under the Barca Universitas, the club’s university. 

“I’ll be studying via correspondence working in sport psychology, performance and governance,” he said.

“I will study with them for the time being with the aim of heading overseas to pursue a career in Spain or England. 

“The long run is coaching and being nearly 30 I am still considered a bit young and they are looking at 40 for a young coach. 

“So I will be focusing on performance and study with clubs overseas and being a trainer till I can take over a team.”

While White follows English Premier League powerhouse Chelsea he admires what Barça does.

“I have always had massive respect for Barcelona to have lasted at the top for as long as they have,” he said.

“They have built it purely off their academy, except in more recent years.

“They’re just absolutely amazing team and how closely they have worked with the Dutch to change the way football is in the world.

“It’s amazing with the likes of (Leo) Messi and they’re a huge name for developing young footballers.”  

White has extensive knowledge of the game he adores. He has been a player for 24 years, including time as a junior at the Warrnambool Wolves and Rangers before playing in Melbourne. 

Over the last few years coaching has been his main calling, leading every team except Hamilton in the SWVFA (Wolves, Corangamite, Rangers and Deakin) and coaching the league’s representative squads. 

The league’s name and brand were also the handy work of White, who has had a passion for helping develop some of the region’s soccer exports since taking on the academy job six years ago. 

“A few of the elite players I have handled have gone on to NPL (National Premier League) it has been a huge success with 29 kids now progressing on to the NPL and higher,” he said.

Upon reflection of his time serving the region’s upcoming stars, White believes the sport is in capable hands and is tipping towards continued success in the future.