Football West go for a Glorious trio

THREE former Perth Glory identities will spearhead a Football West committee that will look into the planning and development of the sport in Western Australia,
Former Glory and Socceroos international goalkeeper Jason Petkovic, Glory's dual NSL title-winning coach Mich d’Avray and WA women’s star Tanya Oxtoby will combine their collective expertise to assist Football West in its long-term planning and development.
The trio, as well as top sport consultant and ex-pro Dr Sandy Gordon and biomechanics specialist and professor Dr Sophia Nimphius, will make up Football West’s new Game Development Committee, a sub-committee of the Board, that will consider wide-ranging issues across the sport in WA.
These could include anything from grassroots football, player pathways and coaching to competition rules and Standing Committee recommendations.
Petkovic, who was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame WA's Hall of Champions in 2016, played 16 times for the Socceroos and is a Football West Director. He will chair the five-member committee.
He said the football knowledge on the committee would support the Board’s aim to continue building the momentum of the game in WA.
“Football is our core business, and with these highly-skilled individuals coming on board it is another step forward for Football West to make the game accessible and a great experience for all,” Petkovic said.
“We will be there to provide insight and expertise on a broad range of football matters and ensure that WA leads the way in football development pathways.”
Football West Head of Development Jamie Harnwell, another Glory great, will work closely with the committee.
Harnwell, a league title winner with Petkovic at Glory under d’Avray, said Football West was determined to offer the best service to all stakeholders.
“They will provide a whole-of-football approach, not just be club-based, and it will bring in expertise that will enhance the game in WA,” Harnwell said.
“Mich is rightly revered in WA for what he did with Glory but he’s stayed on top of the modern game.
“Tanya’s achievements in the women’s game both here and overseas stand out. It is fantastic to have her working with Football West once more."
The details of Game Development Committee members are:
Jason Petkovic – elected to the Football West Board in December 2014 and re-elected at the AGM in March 2019. He is one of WA’s greatest goalkeepers having played for the Socceroos on 16 occasions. After his retirement from the Hyundai A-League in 2009, Jason retained a connection with WA football by volunteering his time to Cockburn City. He has a deep and wide-ranging knowledge of football development from grassroots to elite and is also a current goalkeeping coach for Glory.
Mich d’Avray – ex-professional footballer, primarily with Ipswich Town. Mich coached the South Africa U23s after retiring from playing before moving to Perth Glory first as Assistant Coach before becoming Head Coach and later Technical Director. He moved back to South Africa with clubs such as Bloemfontein Celtic. Mich is now Technical Consultant for On Target, a player agency firm. Heholds a UEFA Pro Licence.
Tanya Oxtoby – born in Wickham, WA, Tanya captained Perth Glory for several years before moving to England for a spell with Doncaster Rovers Belles. Tanya, who worked with the Football West Girls NTC program, moved into coaching as an Assistant Coach with Glory before moving to Birmingham City and is now with Bristol City as Head Coach. She holds an FFA A Licence and is studying for her UEFA A Licence.
Dr Sandy Gordon – Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at UWA. Played professional football in Scotland. Has authored or co-authored three books as well as having several pieces of research published. He has worked with the national cricket teams of Australia, India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe and currently consults with Perth Wildcats and the Perth Lynx.
Dr Sophia Nimphius – Professor at Edith Cowan University and lecturer in Biomechanics and Research Methods (focusing on strength and conditioning) in the School of Medical and Health Sciences. Dr Nimphius’s areas of interest include applied biomechanics in strength and conditioning and extreme sport performance research. The additional academic research capacity will add to Football West’s ability to drive longer term research projects to inform football development in WA.

 




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