Nadine Shiels: “Coaching was the best thing I did”
Becoming a coach was a dream come true for Football NSW’s Player Development Manager for Girls Nadine Shiels as the drive for more coaches for the 2023 season commences.
The experienced coach and administrator has been at the forefront of the women’s game and has played a crucial role in the development of some of our amazing talents that have gone onto represent the country at all levels of our game.
It was having the ability to improve on a player’s self confidence and wellness that Shiels has seen as one of the many important factors coaches play in our game today.
“A coach has the important role of helping our players learn and develop to assist them reaching their full potential,” Shiels said.
“Ultimately, we want to enhance and support their performance technically, tactically, physically and mentally to help them improve and achieve their football goals.
“Coaching has the ability to have a powerful impact on a player’s self-confidence and wellness.
“There is a level of responsibility to encourage positive thinking and actions by building resilience and teamwork attributes.
“The impact and influence a coach has in the football environment can and most likely will be transferred to other areas of their lives.”
It was an injury as a footballer that opened the coaching door for Shiels who, to this day, has not looked back, as the talented female coach has been part of the Football NSW Elite Girls pathway for the past 16 years.
“I started coaching for my local NPL club after sustaining an injury that prevented me from playing for a long period. Another coach approached me and asked if I would like to help them and my growth as a coach developed from there.
“Honestly, it was the best thing I did.
“I worked my way up through the various coaching licences that were on offer and with that, I was fortunate enough to be provided with coaching opportunities in the elite pathway with Football NSW.
“I have now been coaching in the Girls Elite pathway for about 16 years and I haven’t looked back.”
As we approach what will be a busy end of 2022 season thanks to the FIFA Men’s World Cup that will then lead into the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, now is a better time than ever to get involved with coaching.
“Football is a great medium for people to get involved in,” said Shiels.
“As a coach you have the ability to have a powerful impact on a player’s life, not just in football, but as I mentioned previously, the lessons you teach them in the game will be transferred to other areas of their lives.
“You can be a positive role model and provide players with a positive environment to grow, develop and learn.
“Being a coach is extremely rewarding and offers you personally the ability to develop and grow your own self-confidence, self-esteem, self-satisfaction and overall general wellness.”
