Former Matildas’ coach Tom Sermanni attends Girls’ Institute Training Session

Former Matildas’ coach and current New Zealand Ferns Coach Tom Sermanni made a guest appearance at Valentine Sports Park on Wednesday evening at the Football NSW Girls’ Institute program, taking a session with the Under 17 first team.

Sermanni, who has previously had two past periods with the Australian National Team, and was formerly the USA National Coach, would under normal circumstances be currently in Japan for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. But with the Games being deferred for a year, Tom took the opportunity to pass on his wisdom and experience to the young players and coaches in attendance.

The affable Scot, who first played for Marconi and Canberra City in the old National Soccer League when he came to Australia in the mid-eighties, put the squad through its paces, working on some technique and ball movement, and wrapped up the session answering many questions from the players.

Football NSW’s Women’s Technical Director Brian Dene said that it was a great opportunity for the players and coaches to work with such an internationally experienced coach in the women’s game.

“They say ‘a good coach can change a game, but a great coach can change a life’ … well Tom Sermanni is definitely in the ‘great’ category.

“He generously shares his wealth of knowledge and wisdom in football working at the highest level with the Matildas, and the US & NZ Women’s National teams, and pleasingly the players responded with great enthusiasm.

“It was also fantastic to see him chatting with the girls after training and fielding some interesting questions about his overseas coaching experiences and working with some of the best players in the world, and on behalf of Football NSW and the Institute program I want to thank and acknowledge Tom for the time that he gave freely.”