NSFA aims to create more opportunities for female football players and coaches, one of the many Initiatives organised throughout the year is the NSFA Select Team.
The NSFA Select is a team formed from the best players of the Women’s Premier League to play in an annual game against Manly Warringah Football Association. The players are selected through a mixture of opposition and coach feedback and talent identification by the head of female football Eilidh Mackay all of whom have recognised their abilities. It creates a great environment for the players to learn from each other, play with people they often play against, form friendships and boost confidence.
Below are interviews with Lorin Lambert and Jacinta Martin, who have been fortunate enough to coach and play in the Select team, to gain a broader and more personal understanding of the Select Initiative, and the array of benefits you gain from being selected to play.
Click here for the match report from this year’s game.
Lorin Lambert (West Pymble) – Assistant coach in 2022, Player in 2021 and 2020
How did you find being involved in Select coaching team?
The chance to be in the coaching team for Select was a great experience. Coming off an injury I was really upset about missing out on Select as it has been the highlight of my season for the last few years. When Eilidh asked me if I still wanted to be involved I was so excited about the chance to still get around the girls, but also challenge my coaching skills in a high level and high stakes environment! I didn’t want it to end!
What does NSFA Select Initiative mean to you?
For players like me, Select was always a highlight because you got to play with some of the best players in the comp, and in an environment where you’re with likeminded players working hard to be the best. Coming into this as a Coach allowed me to view Select from a different perspective. I got to work with the girls and push them beyond their boundaries and hopefully instil some confidence within their playing style.
Why is it important female coaches are provided development opportunities?
To me, I would have never asked or thought I was capable to be on the coaching team for Select. However, when Eilidh asked me with such trust and confidence that she picked the right person for the job, it made me believe I could do it. As females trying to break boundaries in a male dominated space, it can be really hard to find that confidence to speak up and ask for opportunities. Which is why communicating and providing female coaches with the chance to step into new opportunities is so important.
From your experiences and with the What’s Best For Her Strategy, what does the future look like for NSFA with regards to female coaches?
The What’s Best For Her Strategy is not only numbers on a page and ticking boxes, it shows how much passion and drive is behind the NSFA to improve the women’s game. WBFH provides opportunities well beyond becoming a coach, it has created a community of likeminded girls trying to continue growing the game for those that come after them. This is why the NSFA is going to have some of the strongest female coaches, because behind them is a strong support system at the ready.
Jacinta Martin (Turramura United, pictured left below) – Assistant Coach, Player in 2022 and 2020
What does NSFA Select Initiative mean to you?
On a scale from 1 to all of it, it would be all of it. My experiences as a player and coach have been tremendously fulfilling with a group of very talented women who are at the pinnacle of women’s football in NSFA, many of whom I now call good friends. It has helped to drive more competition, banter and cooperation within the women’s side of the game. It is a privilege to play in the Select team as it is your peers that you verse throughout the season who select the players so it is a big compliment to be selected and shows you are at the top of your game. Coaching for me has been a great way to pass on my knowledge and to encourage and empower the women who participate.
Why is it important female coaches are provided development opportunities?
Fundamentally, the coaching of women vs men is different, typically not on the skills side of the game, but the engagement and motivation is often different so I feel that it is important for these perspectives to come through in each session we deliver. Females often have this unique skill in built and it is a matter of coupling this with the skills side to create leaders and development opportunities. Women often look for role models, so having female coaching leaders in the community helps bring other young girls into our sport. I have heard on many occasions words to the effect of “I’m so lucky we have a girl coach”. I also believe that many women tend to be a little more modest and shy and sometimes won’t put their hand up for a role, although it may be something they wish to do. So I hope that if young women see a female coach, they are empowered to take this next step in their development
From your experiences and with the What’s Best For Her Strategy, what does the future look like for NSFA with regards to female coaches?
Bright! The What’s Best For Her strategy is a powerful movement to help all women in NSFA. We have many clubs investing in and identifying women who may like to coach and encouraging and mentoring them through courses and training sessions. NSFA has a head of Female Football, our Queen, Eilidh Mackay who is leading the way in assisting clubs and leads the Female Coach Mentoring Program. This has an accelerated pathway for advanced coaching and a more relaxed model for those just starting out or those who have experience and want to give back. Our goal is to reach 25% female coach representation by the Women’s World Cup in 2023 and I believe we are on our way to meeting this target. There has never been a better time to be a female coach in NSFA , NSW and dare I say, Australia.