The next in our series of interviews with our club coaches features Michael Rosa, who is the coach of our Metro Division 1 North team. Michael joined us last year as the assistant coach to our U14's side and enjoyed fantastic success with them.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How you got into coaching, what you did before you coached and any other interests outside of football?
Well, I was born and raised in Sydney and I moved to Perth over 18 years ago. As a young player, my highest achievement was playing two years for the Marconi Stallions U16/U18 at 15 years of age. When I moved to Perth I played a year with Ballajura FC and then a had a knee injury so I had to stop. I got into coaching when I was at Ellenbrook United with the U10 Girls, it was very interesting and challenging. I was then asked by Carlos Vega Mena to be his assistant coach at Northern Redbacks in 2019. I don’t have too many interests, apart from supporting my kids with their football careers.
This is your second year with us now, what brought you to Redbacks?
I pulled away from coaching after a great 2019 season with the U14 girls, and I wanted to support both my daughters Claudia who is currently in the U14 Northern Redback squad and Kendra who is in the NTC U14 squad. At the start of the season, the Metro 1 Team had no coach so I decided to take a leap and take on that challenge. Its been the best challenge and they are a bunch of great girls to train. As one of the girls biggest club out there, there is a great focus for the future.
Last season was an amazing one with the U14’s and so many players ended up going to NTC, why do you think that was?
Definitely Carlos had a big part to play in that, but also there was a lot of player commitment that at that young age is very easy to lose. I was so happy to see those girls move to NTC, their commitment to the game is second to none and I hope all the best for the future to all of them.
Obviously COVID has had an impact on the season, what has been the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome?
As a coach, the biggest thing was sitting at home with itchy feet. I was so upset because I only had two weeks with the girls and COVID hit the world. I’m happy that we are back in full force and the season is going well.
You’re now coaching a very young side in an adult competition, what are the biggest challenges you have faced and what are your expectations for the rest of the season?
Yes, they are a very young squad (the youngest is 15) and in the league that we are in it is a totally different ball game. As a coach, I want to bring out the best that I can in each and every player that is in that squad. The biggest challenge is not just being a coach but being a friend to all 13 girls. I’m so happy that I have all the players under me as their coach and I hope by the end of the season they have learnt something different, not just as a player but for their future as an adult. As with all the other coaches, I would like us to win the league but we can't win them all, so I would like to know that I’ve done my job as a coach and mentor to all the girls. To all my Metro 1 Girls be proud of your selves and your achievements this year and I hope that you reach your goal by the end of the year.