At ANZA Soccer, our volunteer coaches are the backbone of our programme, some of whom have been guiding and inspiring young players for many years. Their patience, commitment, and ability to channel kids’ enthusiasm into life lessons – like teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship – make an unforgettable impact on every child they coach. Their influence goes beyond soccer, helping to shape the character and confidence of our young players.
With over sixty volunteer coaches supporting both our Saturday and competitive programmes, each one brings unique talents and a big heart to the field alongside ANZA’s Coach Yakob. They invest their time and energy out of a genuine passion for the sport and a commitment to our community’s youth, and we owe a debt of gratitude to every one of them. We wish we had space to feature every coach, but in this issue, we’re highlighting just a selection of our standouts. Thank you to all our coaches for everything you do!
Coach Andrew Stott – Matildas
Coach Andrew Stott – MatildasYears with ANZA: 3
Biggest learning: Saturday coaching sessions mean that it’s sensible to stay in on Fridays! Also, volunteering at ANZA Soccer has highlighted just how talented our athletes are, with a keen desire to belong to a team ethos.
How the kids would describe you in 3 words: “He is annoying.” But hopefully also: fun, ambitious and a “crossbarchallengewinnereverytime” (!).
Coach Pete Williams
Coach Pete WilliamsYears with ANZA: 1.5
Biggest learning: Always ‘ask’ rather than ‘tell’. It’s been amazing to see how quickly children can pick things up when the environment is safe, fun, and challenging for them.
Advice for parents: In youth football, the development of the player is more important than results.
Coach Bjorn van Schijndel – M9 Tigers, B9 Comp
Years with ANZA: 5
Biiggest learning: Creating a team by getting all players of different levels to play within their strengths.
How the kidS would describe you in 3 words: Fun, focused, enthusiastic.
Coach Dave Allen – Matildas
Years with ANZA: 5
Biggest learning: Socccer is less about perfect passes and more about perfecting patience. Kids will surprise you – sometimes with brilliant goals, sometimes with mid-game grass-collecting. Embrace the chaos; every stumble, smile, and breakthrough is part of the journey.
Advice for parents: Cheer loudly, critique gently, and remember: the car ride home isn’t the game’s second half. They’ll remember the cheers, not the post-match analysis.
Coach Andy Grant – Mixed 7 Gordon’s Coach & B7 Socceroos Comp
Years with ANZA: 1.5
Biggest learning: Like most things, a little bit of preparation goes a long way!
Advice for parents: Give it a go! Coaching at ANZA Soccer is a great way to spend time with your child and do something rewarding.
Coach Sam Mason
Years with ANZA: 2
Biggest learning: Understand things from the player’s point of view, have patience, and find a way to be motivational while instilling discipline around skills and teamwork.
Advice for parents: Get involved, be committed and supportive, and remember that kids will perform better if they value and enjoy their experience.
Coach Ross Mackay
Years with ANZA: 3
Biggest learning: Patience – the boys aren’t the best listeners! The girls, on the other hand, are very good! It’s extremely rewarding to watch the players develop their skills over the years.
Advice for parents: You see leaders emerging where you least expect it. Adversity helps develop resilience, which serves children as they grow into teenagers and adults.
Coach Chang Lih Herng – M11
Years with ANZA: 2.5
Biggest learning: Boys have varying levels of development. It’s a challenge to keep their interest in football while pushing them to their limits, mixing hard work with fun.
Advice for parents: A pat on the shoulder after a tough day on the pitch goes a long way.
Coach Arek Stesik and Miko – G8
Years with ANZA: 4
Biggest learning: The children see things very differently from the adult coaches!
Advice for parents: Get your kids into sports! Any sport is beneficial, and the more they try, the more likely they are to find their passion.
Coach Rich Cannon
Years with ANZA: 5
Biggest learning: Coaching is not just about teaching the game, it’s about teamwork, resilience, and learning to enjoy the journey.
Bdvice for parents: Prioritise effort and enjoyment over winning. When kids feel supported for trying their best and having fun, they build resilience, confidence, and a lifelong love for the sport.
Coach James Wyatt
Coach Years with ANZA: 2
Biggest learning: When things don’t work out on the soccer pitch, the players often have the answers. Encouraging their voices fosters ownership and accountability.
Advice for parents: Let the kids find resolutions. Providing constructive encouragement is key to their development. (We all get very passionate on the sidelines!).
Coach Alex Hollingworth – M5
Years with ANZA: 4
Biggest learning: Keep the ball moving and have fun.
How the kids would describe you in 3 words: Funny, loud, strict!
Coach Steve Carroll
Years with ANZA: 3
Biggest learning: When you drive a positive team culture, it’s amazing how fast all players grow in confidence, both on and off the field.
Advice for parents: Associations like ANZA rely on volunteers. I can’t stress enough how much of a difference it adds to your kids and the club if parents engage and help out in any role. Get involved!
Coach Stu Gurr
Years with ANZA: 6
Biggest learning: There is no bootlace knot that won’t come undone at some point during training! Also, I’ve discovered that soccer offers that rare thing – a kind of levelling of the field – providing opportunities to kids from different backgrounds and with personal challenges to genuinely thrive as one in a team.
Coach Dick Stamsnieder
Years with ANZA: 2.5
Biggest learning: It’s crucial to focus on building confidence, teamwork and a love for the game, rather than just winning. This helps young players develop not only their skills but also their character, resilience, and sportsmanship.
Advice for parents:
Have patience and fun. Don’t expect too much and focus on what goes well, make sure children stay motivated to return to the pitch the following week.
To all of our coaches – you’re amazing. We thank you for the lasting memories and lessons you create each ANZA Soccer season. Here’s to you!
