Moreton Bay United (MBU) has taken a major step forward in the development of female players at the club.
Three key appointments have been made within a new structure for women’s football going into the 2022 season and beyond.
It follows our Senior Women's Head Coach David Da Silva's move to Football Queensland as QAS Director of Football - and the decision by Jets' Under 23 coach Gary Ward's decision to move on.
As a result of changes: - The MBU Senior Women and Under 23 women will now be under the MBU Academy banner and as Academy Director, Matt Poole will work closely with both squads.
- Mac (Macca) Smith will be Head Coach of the MBU Senior Women’s team in addition to his role as Head of Junior Development.
- Greg Bradley will take on the Head of Female Development role, which will see him coach the Under 23 women and oversee the Under 14 and Under 16 NPLW Girls’ squads.
“We are, of course, disappointed to lose Dave,” said Matt Poole, “he did a tremendous job rebuilding the senior women’s program this season.
“Dave implemented the MBU Youth Development Plan within the senior groups this season.
"The progress made was evident in the way the group played and the players who developed through the year. "Bringing the senior women's program under our Gold-Rated Academy program outlines our commitment to female player development and allows us to implement the MBU Youth Development Plan within these groups."
The MBU Academy is one of only five fully Gold-Rated Academies in Queensland and has been since the rating system started three years ago.
“In 2021 the average age of the senior NPLW group was 19, which means the large majority of the group are still developing as players," Matt said.
“Our aim is to consistently produce players for the NTC and A-League women’s programs in the future and with the quality of the younger players coming through, this is a positive step in that direction.”
Matt said the appointments of Mac Smith and Greg Bradley will add considerable experience and continuity to the set-up.
“Since coming to Moreton Bay United, Macca has made an extremely positive impact on the club,” Matt said.
“With his extensive player development background, knowledge of the MBU Youth Development Plan and experience in senior coaching, he is the ideal person to guide the Senior NPLW group moving forward. “Greg has a long history working with female players at Moreton Bay United and ACE and is passionate about the development of female players at the club.
“Our policy at the club is to fill from within, as much as possible, to maintain a consistent culture - and Greg will certainly promote this in his role.”
The new coaching team hopes as many players as possible from last year’s Senior Women and Under 23 squads will return in 2022.
The squads have been told of the new appointments and the coaches plan to speak to players this week.