Following the announcement of its playing squad ahead of the 2022 NPL 3 season kicking off this weekend, Western United can confirm its coaching lineup for the two academy sides this season.
Anthony Frost joined the Club over the off-season as not only the NPL Seniors Head Coach, but also the Club’s first-ever Academy Director.
This will give Frost license to build the Western United academy in his image and oversee the program, with assistance from the entire football department and his support stuff in the NPL side.
Former New Zealand international Vaughan Coveny will continue in his role with the Under 21’s side after joining the Club ahead of its inaugural season in 2021.
Coveny has vast experience in coaching and technical director roles in the NPL and community football, while also having coached in Melbourne Victory’s youth set up for a number of years.
Both head coaches will be supported by assistant coaches, Diogo Ferreira, joining Frost in the senior team, and Pablo Puime, linking up again with Coveny.
Ferreira played more than 80 A-League Men games for Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory, winning a Premiership and Championship with Roar in the 2013/14 season.
The 32-year-old takes another step forwards in his coaching career with Western United, as he builds upon previous coaching experience in academy and NPL settings.
Pablo Puime, originally from Spain, is highly regarded for his work with young aspiring players, having worked with a number of top talents throughout the state.
The goalkeepers in Western United’s academy will be boosted by the return of Roy Hunter as Goalkeeper Coach. Hunter is a specialist goalkeeper coach that has over 20 years of experience and is currently completing his Level 3 Goalkeeper accreditation.
Another past A-League Men champion has joined Western United’s NPL coaching ranks, with Mate Dugandzic coming into the role of Development Coach.
Part of Adelaide United’s Championship-winning side of 2016, Dugandzic played 130 times in the league in total for the Reds, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart/City.
The 32-year-old begins his coaching career with Western United in a role that will see him support the senior team in order to get the most out of the playing squad.
Louis Mazza will perform the role of Strength & Conditioning Coach, while Harry Reading will continue as Performance Analyst alongside his commitments with the Western United Women’s Development Squad. Daniel Hanna will lead the Physiotherapist team that will support the wellbeing of players throughout the program.
Western United’s 2022 NPL 3 season kicks off on Sunday March 20, with a home fixture against Nunawading City at City Vista Reserve kicking off at 3pm.
A full list of Academy Staff members:
U23s Head Coach: Anthony Frost
U23s Assistant Coach: Diogo Ferreira
U21s Head Coach: Vaughan Coveny
U21s Assistant Coach: Pablo Puime
Goalkeeper Coach: Roy Hunter
Development Coach: Mate Dugandzic
NPL Operations Manager: Peter Frangos
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Louis Mazza
Physiotherapist team: Dan Hanna (Lead), Kai Yee Yung, Dan Patterson, Celina Daglaras, Chantelle Dimovski
NPL Performance Analyst: Harry Reading
Team Managers: Maki / Tobias
