Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Keith Eigeland/Football Queensland

Departing Western Pride coach Kasey Wehrman is grateful for the opportunity NPL Queensland has provided as he takes the next step in his coaching career.

Pride recently confirmed that the former Socceroo and A-League star will be parting ways with the Ipswich-based club at the end of the current season.

Wehrman, 36, has been Senior Men’s Coach and Technical Director at Pride for the past two seasons, but will seek further opportunities at a higher level in Norway, where he played professionally for six seasons.

Wehrman said his experiences in NPL Queensland had proved invaluable as he took the first steps into a post-playing career, that also saw him assist Brisbane Roar's NYL team last summer.

“It’s been a great experience and a good grounding for me to start off with,” Wehrman explained.

“I’ve been lucky because I’ve had good people to work with and good lads that have fought the whole way and taken on board what I’ve put to them and how to act on the football field.”

Despite a tough season on the pitch, with four wins from 20 matches, Werhman said he was happy with the continued development of the club, now its second season.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. Points-wise we weren’t as competitive this year, but when it comes to matches every week we were as competitive as we were last year. We just didn’t get the results,” he explained.

Wehrman said he especially proud of providing opportunities for players from the greater Ipswich region and that the club will continue to strengthen football in the area after his departure.

“That was the mandate when I took the job, that we would get as many Ipswich boys as we can in to teach them the game and teach them the culture of what we want to build at the club.”

“Obviously with (Chairman) Kym Wickstein and (General Manager) Pat Boyle, we wanted to show what the area is all about – hard working, Ipswich people with a never-say-die attitude.”

“If the players take that attitude into seasons after then they will always be competitive,” he added.

Wehrman said he will remain a dyed-in-the-wool Pride supporter on the other side of the globe and will eagerly keep tabs on the team’s progress.

“I’ll take a bit of Pride gear over and take the odd photo in the snow and the cold. I also look forward to watching the highlights on the website next year,” Wehrman said.

Western Pride’s next fixture is against Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park this Sunday with kick-off scheduled for 2pm.