Matildas work hard to improve their coaching knowledge

Current Matildas stars Chloe Logarazo and Lisa De Vanna were familiar figures as both took part in further developing their coaching skills after spending a week at Valentine Sports Park taking part in Part 1 of their ‘B’ Licence.

Conducted by former Socceroos and Matildas Assistant Coach, Robbie Hooker, Football NSW’s Manager of Advanced Coach Education, Christopher Adams and Instructor Alex Epakis, Logarzo and De Vanna were the only female coaches amongst 26 candidates on the Course.

Holding their own and not at all perturbed amongst their more experienced coaching peers, both players fully participated in theoretical and practical sessions and actively contributed to group discussions.

What is more commendable is that both players are in the midst of preparing not only for the Cup of Nations commencing in two weeks’ time with the opening match against New Zealand on 28 February but are also in the Sydney FC side for this weekend’s Westfield W-League Grand Final against Perth Glory.

In congratulating Chloe and Lisa for their interest and commitment in attending the Course, Adams stated, “one of our key strategies is to increase the number of female coaches in our game at all levels. Through making opportunities such as this past week available and by providing a comfortable and welcoming learning environment, it is our hope that more and more females attend courses and become accredited.”

Football NSW’s Technical Director, Girls’ and Women’s Football Brian Dene added, “working with both the FFA and our Women’s Standing Committee, Chris and I, together with our Associations and NPL clubs have this as a high priority and more initiatives will be announced in the future. It is great to see Lisa and Chloe, who despite still playing, are thinking beyond their playing days and hopefully contributing to young Matildas of the future”.

Following the conclusion of Part One, Logarzo reflected, “I really enjoyed the week and especially learning from other coaches. I now have a more holistic insight into the game which I am sure will also help me perform better as a player”.

For her part and looking at the next phase of her football career, de Vanna was keen to start putting what she has learnt in to practice, “I am keen to learn more, and to begin passing on some of my knowledge and experience to young players and contributing to programs like the Football NSW Institute, the Future Matildas and the representative team program. In the meantime though, I just want to learn as much as I can.”

Lisa and Chloe’s attendance at the course was made possible through the support of Professional Footballers Australia as part of their support for current and ex-professional players.

In addition to Logarzo and de Vanna doing their B-licence at Valentine Sports Park, Nadine Shiels, Football NSW’s Manager of the Talent Player Pathway and the Girls’ Institute program, has for the past week been in Canberra at the Australian Institute of Sport, doing her A-Licence.