Words: Emily Wilson
Image: Nick Milton/Sunshine Coast FC

Sunshine Coast FC have announced former skipper Paul Arnison as Fire head coach for the 2015 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season.

Arnison, who captained Fire for the past two seasons and made 36 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland appearances, replaces Kevin A’herne-Evans as Fire head coach following his departure to rivals Brisbane Strikers.

A former professional player, Arnison started his football career at English Premier League club Newcastle United, before signing with Division Two club Hartlepool United followed by stints at Carlisle United, Bradford City and Darlington.

The 37-year-old joined the club as a defensive midfielder in 2013 as a player and coach of Fire’s Under 18 Boy’s team.

Arnison served as a mentor for the younger players over the last two PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland campaigns and coached his Under 18 Boys teams to a Premiership in 2013 and fourth place in 2014.

Sunshine Coast FC Managing Director Noel Woodall said he was pleased to appoint Arnison as the new head coach in line with Fire’s commitment to educating and developing talented, younger coaches.

“We as a Club are dedicated to developing and advancing our coaches, and I believe Paul is an ideal candidate to step into the role of First Team Coach,” Woodall said.

“Paul will also be able to draw on Technical Director Melvyn Wilkes’ experience as a former FA coach educator and youth coach at West Bromwich Albion Football Club, Manchester City Youth Academy and Nottingham Forest Youth Academy as he steps into this role,” Woodall said.

Arnison expressed his delight at the opportunity to take the next step in his coaching career in 2015.

“To be a coach of any NPL team is fantastic. I am hoping I can bring some of my experience playing as a professional in England, and what I have learnt from coaches and managers over there to Sunshine Coast FC and bring in a few more players to build on what we achieved last season with a relatively young squad,” Arnison said.

“I am excited to be coaching at NPL level, the standard of the competition is high and I am preparing to face strong teams and coaches. It will certainly be a test but one I am looking forward to,” he concluded.