New Brisbane Roar Westfield W-League coach Belinda Wilson is hoping her appointment to the top job will motivate more females in the football industry to reach for success.
New Brisbane Roar Westfield W-League coach Belinda Wilson is hoping her appointment to the top job will motivate more females in the football industry to reach for success.
When officially unveiled as the new Head Coach of the two-time Westfield W-League Champions yesterday, Wilson became the third female coach in the competition, only for the number to dwindle just hours later as Melbourne Victory coach Vicki Linton resigned.
The news leaves Wilson and last season-s Westfield W-League Coach of the Year Jitka Klimkova of Canberra United flying the flag.
But Wilson believes the quality, and therefore the number, of female coaches in Australia will keep increasing as the competition further develops – something she-s passionate about and admits was one of the main reasons she took up the Head Coach position.
“When I got the job, I wrote an email to FIFA-s women-s football department saying I had to cancel some of my commitments,” she said.
“I said ‘you have to let me take this role- because it means that-s one more female coach in the national league in Australia.
“This is a fantastic pathway we-re creating now for future players or future female coaches.
“Now they can see females in these roles and that-s very important, not only for women-s football but for football in general.
“It-s great to be able to say we-ve got quality coaches out there that when given the opportunity, can thrive.”
Wilson held her first training session yesterday afternoon and will now carefully evaluate the areas of the playing group that will need to be addressed before the season begins.
She has a clear idea of the style of football she wants to implement and it looks very similar to the football philosophy that the club-s Hyundai A-League squad has made well-known in Australian football circles.
The official Westfield W-League fixture list is yet to be announced but is expected to begin around the same time as the 2011/12 season, in late October.
“At the moment, we-re just having a look at the squad,” Wilson said.
“If there is room for improvement, we-ll be looking to improve it, definitely.
“My philosophy is to have a creative team going forward.
“I-ll be looking to maintain possession and attack quickly and the players we have in the squad have the ability to do that and I believe we can keep going forward.”
