For the second consecutive year, Northern NSW Football stood alone among member federations at the Emerging Matildas Championships with an entirely female coaching and support staff.
The all-female line-up, including coaching staff, team managers, physiotherapist and communications officer, highlighted NNSWF’s strong commitment to increasing female representation across every level of the game, on and off the pitch.
Demonstrating the organisation’s ongoing investment in developing women in football, staff members travelled from across northern NSW to be part of the tournament.
Under-15s assistant coach Claudia Thomson represented Football Far North Coast, while under-16s assistant coach Rebecca Wilson joined from North Coast Football. Under-16s manager Jess Kellaway travelled from Northern Inland.
Further bolstering the coaching staff was former Matilda and 2025 NPL Women’s NNSW Emily van Egmond Medal winner and Player of the Year Tara Andrews. Andrews was head coach of the under-15s squad, guiding them to a fourth-place finish among 16 teams.
Andrews believed the increased presence of female coaches is helping change perceptions within the sport and inspiring the next generation of women in football.
Speaking about her experience at the Emerging Matildas Championships, Andrews said visibility and opportunity were key to normalising women in coaching roles.
“[The players] definitely take notice and it sets a standard for everyone else,” Andrews said.
“I do think other teams could have more female coaches. I’m sure they have personnel within their associations who would be capable, they just need to open pathways and opportunities.
“Being a part of an all-female coaching group shows how capable we are and I think Northern NSW Football is leading the way in supporting female coaches.
“I’m proud to be a part of that and to be able to learn as much as possible at a tournament like [the Emerging Matildas Championships].
“Like the saying goes, if you can’t see it, you can’t be it. So if [the players] have female coaches, they know it’s a pathway for them one day and that it’s possible.
“It’s important to make it a norm for them, not out of the ordinary and to see female coaches with the same respect and knowledge that male coaches have.”
Thomson found working in an all-female environment was one of the most valuable parts of her experience at the Emerging Matildas Championships, with the collaborative atmosphere helping her grow as a coach and leader.
“I absolutely love being a part of the Emerging Matildas [Championships] coaching staff. I enjoy everything about it, on and off the pitch,” Thomson said.
“It’s football 24/7 for a week and I honestly feel like I thrive in that environment. If we’re not playing, we’re analysing and if we’re not analysing, we’re talking football. I just love it.
“I know how important these experiences are for my growth as a coach, so I just try to soak it all in and learn as much as I can.
“I think it’s benefited me as a leader in so many ways, from preparation before games and analysis after games to handling difficult situations that may come up throughout the week. The experience really has it all.
“Being a part of the under-15s was amazing but also being surrounded by such a great group of female coaches was a huge benefit as well.
“Everyone helped each other out, bounced ideas off one another and overall created such a good learning environment.”
Andrews encouraged any female looking to become a coach to jump in and begin their journey.
“Take the leap and just get started. You won’t be perfect from the start. No one is. But you may as well start learning straight away and you could become the role model for someone else,” Andrews said.
“There are also plenty of male coaches who will advocate for and support you. You just need to find the right ones.”
NNSWF Emerging Matildas Championships Staff
Under-15s
Head Coach: Tara Andrews
Assistant Coach: Claudia Thomson
Manager: Ellora King-Verbicaro
Under-16s
Head Coach: Allana Neeve
Assistant Coach: Rebecca Wilson
Manager: Jess Kellaway
All Teams
Goalkeeper Coach: Danielle Bartels
Physiotherapist: Sophie Tedds
Communications Officer: Hannah Guest