Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced former Socceroo Ante Juric as the new Assistant Coach of the Westfield Matildas. In addition, Juric will also assume the newly created role of FFA’s Assistant Technical Director – Women’s Football.
Following 12 years as professional footballer playing for clubs in Australia, Portugal, Norway and Malaysia, Juric turned to coaching in 2006. Also a qualified teacher, Juric mainly focused his coaching talents mainly on youth boys and girls football development programs.
FFA Technical Director Han Berger believes that Juric combines a number of unique qualities that made him the ideal candidate for this particular role.
"Ante’s background as a teacher, his tertiary qualifications, credibility as a professional footballer and personality made him the outstanding candidate," said Berger.
"The two roles are very complementary and as well as working with Australia’s elite female footballers, Ante will also be working with all the key stakeholders along the development pathway to produce our future elite players.
“I am very confident that Ante will be able to excel in both these roles,” concluded Berger.
Westfield Matildas Head Coach Hesterine de Reus is looking forward to having Juric as her assistant as her team embarks on their 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games qualification campaigns.

“It is fantastic that a former National team player such as Ante, has taken the responsibility to help the Matildas go to the next level,” de Reus said.

“His experience at the top level as a player and his coaching experience will definitely help contribute to the development of the Women’s game in Australia,” concluded de Reus.

Juric is also excited about his new coaching roles and the program ahead.

“It’s an honour to be able to take on these roles at this stage of my career,” said Juric.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the players and helping develop Women’s football in Australia.

“In addition I am eager to learn as much as I can from Hesterine and Han at the same time,” concluded Juric.

Profile
Ante Juric 
Date of Birth: 11 November 1973
Place of Birth: Canberra
Playing Career
Youth:
1987-91 Canberra Deakin/Croatia Junior
1991                 Australian Institute of Sport
Senior 
1993-94             Melbourne Knights (National Soccer League)
1994-95             Sydney Olympic (National Soccer League)
1995-97             Castello Blanco (Portugal, 2nd Division)
1997                 Canberra Cosmos (National Soccer League)
1997-2005         Sydney Olympic/Olympic Sharks (National Soccer League)
2001                 Molde FC (Norway, Tipperliga)
2003                 Johor FA (Malaysia)
2005                 Pahang FA (Malaysia, Super League)
2005-07             Sydney United (NSW Premier League)
National Teams:
1992-93             Young Socceroos        23 appearances
1994                 Olyroos                        6 appearances
2002                 Socceroos                   4 appearances (1 goal)
2012-13             Beach Socceroos         1 appearance
Playing Achievements:
1993                 FIFA World Youth Cup 4th Place (Australia, Young Socceroos)
1993-94             National Soccer League Minor Premiers (Melbourne Knights)
2001-02             National Soccer League Champions (Olympic Sharks)
2002-03             National Soccer League Minor Premiers (Olympic Sharks)
2005                 ASEAN Club Champions of Champions Runners Up (Pahang FA)
2005                 Malaysian Super League Runners Up (Pahang FA)
2006                 NSW Premier League Champions (Sydney United)
2009                 Inducted – ActewAGL ACT Sports Hall of Fame
2009                 Inducted – Capital Football Hall of Fame
Coaching Career
2006-07             Westfield’s Sports High (Girls Elite Football)
2007-12             Trinity Grammar School, Sydney (Head Coach, Master in Charge of Football 
2008-09             Sydney FC Women’s Assistant Coach
2009                 Penrith Nepean United (NSW Premier League)
2009-11             Southern Cross Football Academy/Football Services
2009-10             Australian U13/U14 Boys Head coach,
2010                 Fraser Park (NSW Super League)
2010-12             NSWIS (Assistant Coach)
2011-12             Skilleroos NSW U-14 (Head Coach)
2012-13             NSWIS (Head Coach)
2013                 NSW NTC Institute (Head Coach)
Coaching Qualifications and Experiences
1998-2000         Bachelor of Human Movement in Sport Sciences, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney
2004-05             Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary), Charles Sturt University, Bathurst
2010-11             Masters in Educations (Sports Coaching), The University of Sydney, Sydney 
2011                 AFC A-License