Football West and the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) are proud to announce the coach of the new WAIS women’s football program, John Gibson.
A current member of the Young Matilda’s and Young Socceroo’s coaching staff, and former Australian Institute of Sport Scholarship Coach, Gibson brings a wealth of coaching knowledge to women’s football in WA.
WAIS Executive Director Steve Lawrence said Gibson will add to an impressive array of coaches at the Institute.
“John will be a great addition to the team at WAIS, with his resume adding to an impressive list of achievements by our cohort of coaches,” Lawrence said of Gibson, who played for the Olyroos in Barcelona as well as more than 300 games in the National Soccer League.
Education and Development Manager at Football West, Andrew Bettell echoed Lawrence’s comments, saying he is pleased with the program and the appointment of the coach.
“John Gibson is a fantastic addition to the sport in WA, and we are excited to have him on board to help develop women’s football in the state. This program will help open up the development pathways for female players in the state, and John is well equipped to help with this growth,” Bettell said.
The new WAIS women’s program is the outcome of a partnership between state governing body Football West, national body Football Federation Australia and WAIS, with the aim of securing more home grown players in the national women’s team the Matildas.
A squad of approximately 16 players will be chosen by Gibson in consultation with other WAIS and Football West staff within the next month. The initial squad is expected to include current national team players Collette McCallum and Lisa de Vanna and rising star Samantha Kerr.
The athletes chosen to participate in the program will take part in an Intensive Training Centre (ITC) program designed to develop the players technically, tactically, physiologically, psychologically to play the game at the highest level.
