ABOUT US
About D1 Football Development
Professional Coaching. Personalised Approach. Real Results.
D1 Football Development is an elite soccer academy based in Melbourne, designed for youth players who are serious about improving their game.
We work with players aged 7 to 16 who are motivated, coachable, and ready to commit to long-term development. Our coaching is not for beginners or those who are not serious about skill development. Every session is structured, focused, and tailored to the individual or group to maximise growth in technical ability, confidence, and game awareness.
What sets us apart is our small group sizes and customised training programs. We limit our sessions to ensure every player receives direct feedback, plenty of touches on the ball, and real coaching. This is what we do, and we take it seriously.
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/ Meet Coach Paolo Dominguez
Paolo is the founder and head coach of D1 Football Development. With over 10 years of experience working in both grassroots and elite programs, Paolo has coached hundreds of players across Melbourne.
His background includes as an ex-professional footballer in Colombia and coaching in top-tier academies and leading youth programs for players who have gone on to represent clubs like Melbourne Victory, South Melbourne, and Port Melbourne.
Paolo is known for his discipline, attention to detail, and player-first approach. He believes that the best development happens in small, focused environments where players are challenged, supported, and pushed to be better each week.
Every drill, session, and program at D1 is designed and led by Paolo himself. He brings Latin American flair and European coaching techniques, and is committed to each player's long-term growth both on and off the field.
/ Why Parents and Players Choose D1
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Smaller groups, better coaching:
Our group sizes are intentionally kept small to give each player the attention they need.
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Clear development structure:
Every session builds on the last. We focus on ball mastery, footwork, dribbling, and real technical growth.
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Personal connection:
We know each player’s strengths and weaknesses, we understand their goals, and we care about their progress.
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Serious environment:
We work with players who are committed to training and improving consistently over time.
Many of our players and families travel 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to train with us because they’ve seen the difference in quality, results, and experience.
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/ We Coach Players Aged 7 to 16
Who already play at a club level and want more technical, focused training to take their game to the next level. If your child is driven, focused, and passionate about improving, D1 is the right environment for them.
We are not the right fit for players who are just starting out or not ready to commit to regular, serious training.
