Western United Academy Director Anthony Frost has helped oversee the development of the Club’s next generation of talents, and is now doing the same across the nation.
Starting in September last year, Frost has joined the staff at the Australian Under-23 national team as an assistant coach alongside his Western United duties.
“It’s been a fantastic experience working with Tony Vidmar and the rest of the staff,” Frost said.
“I think the one thing that Tony has done is create a really good environment for staff to take ownership of their respective roles and responsibilities.
“The culture within the group is really strong and that makes it a fantastic working environment, first and foremost, and that then obviously corresponds to the environment that we can provide to the players and the work that we can do on and off the pitch with the playing group.”
At Western United and in previous roles before joining the Green and Black, the one thing that is most obvious about Frost’s work is his passion for nurturing talent. If you want to see him smile, just mention one of his Academy prospects and his face will immediately light up.
Seeing the successful beginning of the Western United Academy has given Frost great pleasure, and the opportunity for him to grow that experience on the international stage continues to fuel that desire.
“I’ve held like a long-term passion for helping young people be the best that they can be, and if it’s in football, then that’s obviously even better – that’s the icing on the cake,” he said.
“When I get the opportunity to work with a very talented group of players and staff, t only serves to energise you and spur you on even more to want to continue to work even harder to make sure that you’re exposed to those environments again and again.”
This isn’t the first time that Frost has offered his expertise on a national scale, either, having assisted the Socceroos with opposition analysis during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and also previously being involved with the Young Socceroos.
It all creates opportunities for personal development, but also a responsibility that Frost feels to bring back his learnings and impart his wisdom on others at Western United.
“You’re always wanting to learn and improve your knowledge and your experiences, and being involved with the Socceroos is another part of that,” he said.
“It’s just a privilege to have exposure with people in and around the national team’s space and it’s certainly something that I don’t take for granted.
“I definitely enjoy the opportunity, but also acknowledge the responsibility I have to provide my own insights and experiences as well.
“I’ve learnt a lot throughout my time involved in the Socceroos extended staff and also now the Under 23’s staff. That’s something that I hope will not only help my own professional development and long-term ambitions, but also what I can do in our own club environment and the support that I can provide our own staff and our own players.”
Frost’s involvement with the Olyroos has coincided with the selections of five Western United players in the most recent camp in November – Abel Walatee, Rhys Bozinovski, Matthew Grimaldi, Charbel Shamoon and Kane Vidmar.
Working with a number of those players particularly over a long period of time in their respective developments as players and young men, Frost said it has been extra special to see them thriving in a national team environment and to be a part of their ongoing journeys.
“That’s what sort of makes this job and my role so rewarding, is to see those players progress and develop and achieve their own ambitions and goals,” he said.
“So to have some small part to play in their journey is obviously something that I don’t take for granted, and it’s also the result of a lot of work from a lot of other people as well.”
Frost joined Western United just over three years ago now in November 2021, becoming the Club’s first-ever Academy Director virtually at the beginning of the program’s existence.
Fast forward to now, and Frost has overseen a promotion campaign for the senior’s, a league title for the Under 23’s, the opening of a Junior Academy pathway with four new teams and development programs to build on the Club’s vision to create one of the most successful and prestigious football institutions in the country.
During that time, 14 players have made their professional debuts directly out of the Academy and 13 have signed senior contracts at the Club, while United has also continued to build its youth ranks by recruiting some of the best talents in Victoria and Australia from elsewhere.
“From the club’s perspective, we have a clear ambition and desire to want to provide young talented players the opportunity to play at the highest level,” Frost said.
“We’re starting to see the fruits of the work that’s been done in the last few years starting to come to life, so that’s something certainly to be really proud of personally, but also from the Club’s perspective and the staff and management as well for their trust and faith.
“I think it’s just the beginning which is really exciting. Now we’re starting to see progression of players that have had connection with the Club from a young age and I have no doubt, with the work that’s been done by a lot of people within our staffing structure and the Club as a whole, that will continue.”
The bulk of the Club’s scouting and recruiting continues to be in the west of Victoria, with United now firmly situated at home at Ironbark Fields in Tarneit and continuing to engage with local communities.
“We’re very privileged to be in a region that is renowned for developing top level footballers and talents,” he said.
“It’s our responsibility to support those players as best we can to help themreach the highest possible level they can, and that’s something that energises us every day.
“I think it’s incredibly exciting for where not only the Academy, but also the Club will be headed in the years to come. We’re starting to see now across the league as a whole – overseas clubs see significant value in young Australian players.”
With the 2025 VPL 1 Men season right around the corner, Western United fans will once again be able to watch the next generation of Green and Black stars at Ironbark Fields alongside the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women action.
United opens the season away to FC Bulleen Lions on Monday 10 February before a first home match of the season on Saturday 15 February against Kingston City, while the Junior Academy sides begin their campaigns this weekend.
