Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Former Hyundai A-League star Kristian Rees is taking the next step on the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland pathway by joining Gold Coast City’s coaching ranks.

The 35-year-old will serve as an assistant to City coach Grae Piddick and was in the dug-out for the club’s first pre-season friendly against Logan Lightning last weekend.

The no-nonsense defender spent a successful two seasons with the club as a player, under their previous name of Palm Beach SC, leading by example in the backline – winning the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2014 Premiership and Grand Final, in addition to twice qualifying for the Westifeld FFA Cup Round of 32.

He said he is looking forward to imparting the experience gained through more than a decade in the former National Soccer League and Hyundai A-League to Gold Coast City’s next generation of stars.

“Coaching was always something I thought about while playing. I’ve been involved with football since I was seven years old and I want to stay involved,” Rees explained.

He added, “Finishing playing in the A-League came out of the blue and I had to get other parts of my life back on track before I could establish myself in coaching and get out and do the courses.”

“But I’ve got the ball rolling now. I’m just doing my ‘C’ Licence at the moment and hopefully soon move on to the ‘B’ Licence and make my way through.”

A prime motivator for Rees to coach on the Gold Coast is helping the regions young players make the move into the national top tier following the demise of Gold Coast United in 2012.

“One thing that hit me a little bit was how Gold Coast United finished up and there was no youth system for these boys to come through locally,” he explained.

“Now with Gold Coast City we can give the boys on the Gold Coast that avenue to develop and the club is moving in the right direction to give them a platform to move on.”

However, Rees did concede that going to training as part of the coaching staff rather than a player is an ongoing adjustment.

 “It’s a bit of a weird feeling, and something I have to get used to, but it’s definitely enjoyable at the same time,” he concluded.

Rees’ move continues the trend of players and coaches with Hyundai A-League experience joining the coaching ranks at PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs.

Former Hyundai A-League coaches Ian Ferguson and John Kosmina will take the reins at Northern Fury and Brisbane City, respectively, this season; while former Brisbane Roar defender Josh McCloughan will coach Brisbane Roar Youth.

Ex-Hyundai A-League players Gareth Edds, Kasey Wehrmann and Karl Dodd have also previously held head coaching positions in the competition.