I, Tim Palmer, started writing about football in 2010 when I was 16 years old, simply because I enjoyed making sense of matches. Writing was my way into the game. Over time, that curiosity grew into a deeper interest in how players learn, how teams function, and how environments shape performance. That interest has since evolved into a career centred on coaching and player development.
In 2011, I started the blog Australia Scout, which focused on Australian football, including the A-League and the Socceroos. The blog quickly grew into one of the most widely read independent football platforms in the country, receiving recognition from leading figures in the game, including then-Socceroos head coach Ange Postecoglou.
In January 2016, Australia Scout moved to its new home on this site as Tim Palmer Football.
Between 2014 and 2016, I worked in performance analysis after being approached by Prozone Sports to help establish their Football Department in Australia. My work covered opposition scouting, video and data analysis, and pre- and post-match reviews for a range of professional clients, including several A-League clubs. I also worked for the Socceroos, producing opposition reports, post-match reviews, and longer-term statistical and video-based insights.
My work has increasingly focused on coaching. I am currently part of the coaching staff with the Pararoos, Australia’s national team for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, and stroke. My role spans coaching support, analysis, strength and conditioning, and long-term player development, with a strong emphasis on building environments where players can perform and grow as people.
At club level, I was the Technical Director at NWS Spirit FC, where I oversaw the club’s football program and long-term development strategy. My role involves leading coaches, shaping our curriculum (the NWSF DNA), and building clear pathways for players from local grassroots to elite programs. Central to this work is a belief in being proudly local, developing good people and good players, and creating a strong sense of belonging, alongside ambition.
A key outcome of this approach was a significant increase in locally developed players progressing through representative teams, alongside record numbers of players signing with A-League clubs. Additionally,NWS Spirit FC was also recognised as the only Gold-standard club in Football NSW’s Club Standards and Benchmarking.
Accompanying this, I was also the Head of Coach Education and Player Development for the local association, North West Sydney Football. This role encompassed the delivery of coach education courses, workshops and programs. We delivered more coach education than any other association in NSW, blending together formalised FA & FNSW courses with association-specific workshops, expos and programs that met the needs of our community.
As a coach, I have worked across U9 to U18 age groups. Coaching gives me the greatest joy in football. I enjoy working with players to help them develop a love of the game, while blending together a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure their holistic approach.
I also have played at international level. In 2014, I was selected for the Australian Deaf Football squad, making my international debut in a 4–1 win over North Korea. I also started every match for Australia at Asian Cups and World Cups.
I have completed extensive tertiary study. I hold a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Technology Sydney, graduating in 2016. In 2017, I completed First Class Honours with research focused on skill acquisition. I also hold a Master of Education (Sport Coaching) with Distinction from the University of Sydney. I have completed the Football Australia A Diploma and continue to engage in professional development across coaching, learning design, and leadership.
As a writer, I have contributed extensively to football media. I wrote regularly for FourFourTwo Australia magazine, including a weekly match analysis column and feature articles for the print edition. My work has also appeared on FIFA and Football Australia platforms.
I’m particularly interested in inclusive and para pathways, leadership through clarity and trust, and building systems that support people to grow over time. I’m open to conversations around sports leadership, coaching, inclusive sport, and development roles where people, culture, and long-term impact matter.