NSFA is pleased to announce the Coaching Scholarship winners for 2022 – Melanie Hirunsook (Northbridge), Mark Williams (Asquith), Hayden Zorian (Lindfield) and Priscilla Dawson (Lane Cove).
Each successful candidate will receive the following investment to kick start their first step into the advanced coach education pathway set out by Football Australia:
- Fee covered for FA Advanced C-Licence Youth course ($1,155)
- Ongoing support from NSFA Coach Development Manager, NSFA Technical Director, NSFA Community Football Manager & NSFA Head of Female Football.
Each scholarship winner will also be upskilled to become an FA MiniRoos certificate presenter, growing NSFA’s coach developer network and once again, extending the football educated community to new heights.
NSFA would like to thank all those who applied for the NSFA Coaching Scholarship and a special congratulations to the winners.
Coach Profiles
Melanie Hirunsook – Northbridge
How many years have you coached within your club?
I have been coaching at Northbridge FC for the past 2 years. During the 2022 season, I have coached G9 and G14 academy teams as well as community teams ranging from U3-U12.
What do you love about being involved with your club?
I have been playing football within the NSFA space since 2009 and to now be involved with coaching and developing players to enjoy football as much as I do is fantastic.
Why you are looking forward to obtaining this C-licence and how will it benefit players within NSFA in 2023 and beyond?
I’m very excited to obtain my C-licence as this will provide me with an opportunity to learn from more experienced coaches and improve my own coaching skills. In doing so I will be able to positively impact the many community players I work with, further developing the NSFA community.
Mark Williams – Asquith FC
How many years have you coached within your club?
I have been coaching at Asquith Football Club since 2017. In 2022 I coached the U11 Academy team who went through the season playing against the top community teams in the NSFA. I also coached the O45s Div 4 and Div 4 reserves – with the Div 4 team winning the O45s Div 4 competition.
What do you love about being involved with your club?
Asquith Football Club has been a welcoming community since I started playing way back in 2008 when I moved to the area. Over the years as I got to know the club more, it has been great to be able to give back and support the club as both a volunteer coach and committee member to keep the club moving forward.
Why you are looking forward to obtaining this C-licence and how will it benefit players within NSFA in 2023 and beyond?
With my role as Coach and CCC within Asquith Football Club – I see this as a great way to help improve the experience of the volunteer coaches within our club, and also look forward to been involved in some of the Expos that NSFA run to provide support and give back to the greater NSFA community.
Hayden Zorian – Lindfield
How many years have you coached within your club?
I’ve coached at Lindfield Football Club for the past five years in which I’ve been involved in LFC’s MiniRoos, SAP and Super League programs
Teams/age you’ve coached during the 2022 season and successes for the season
I have had the pleasure of coaching the LFC U12A Super League side for 2022. We finished 3rd in a very competitive Super League competition, with just 3 points separating the top 3. A major highlight this season was our experience at Kanga Cup, with the players and their families all having a blast. We held our own against some solid NPL sides, drawing with Canberra Olympic and beating all other community club level rivals, all whilst playing 11 aside for our first time.
What do you love about being involved with your club?
Lindfield Football Club has a passionate footballing and friendly social community which I am proud to represent as a coach and player. Coaches throughout my time playing for LFC have played an essential part in not just my footballing development, but through being mentors and role models that have helped me mature into who I am today. Coaching for LFC has allowed me to be this role model for the next generation of young footballers coming after me.
Why you are looking forward to obtaining this C-licence and how will it benefit players within NSFA in 2023 and beyond?
Obtaining a C-licence will significantly impact the teams and players I coach and other coaches within NSFA who I currently mentor and support through LFC’s Coach Mentoring Program. By bettering my education and experience, I can provide better levels of mentorship to more coaches, allowing players within NSFA’s community to receive higher levels of coaching for more skill/age groups.
Priscilla Dawson – Lane Cove
How many years have you coached within your club?
Have coached with Lane Cove Football Club for the 2022 season. Previously coached within the Regional Area of Goulburn NSW. 2022 season saw me coaching the feeder team for the Diamond League. The team I had been assigned U11’s Girls, had several players who have previously not played the game. These girls showed great determination. The team was also made up of many different skills and abilities and really demonstrated the LCFC vision that “anyone can play”. The team played the same opponent in the first and last rounds of the season and really showed their growth across the season with a fantastic performance to finish the year. As a coach this makes me so proud to see the development not only in their football skills but also as humans.
What do you love about being involved with your club?
I love community involvement and engagement. My professional career is within the community service sector supporting YP through homelessness. Positive reason I am involved in the club is to ensure that sport remains as an early intervention for YP, Character Building and Community Development, all things that need to be nurtured in the current society we live.
Why you are looking forward to obtaining this C-licence and how will it benefit players within NSFA in 2023 and beyond?
I am looking to obtain this to further my coaching career within LCFC and within NSFA. I think that I bring a different background and wealth of knowledge and experience from other areas which will be impactful when working with the players, parents, fellow coaches, and clubs.