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Football within the NSFA region will continue to grow thanks to a wide-ranging partnership with Harvey Norman in the coming 12 months.

With a strong history of supporting women’s sport, Harvey Norman will adorn the front of shirt for our Northern Tigers Women’s NPL and Girls SAP teams, as well as being on the back of shirt for our Mixed SAP, Youth NPL and Men’s NPL teams.

Harvey Norman’s sponsorship will also reinforce the NSFA Female Football Strategy, What’s Best for Her, which encompasses various retention, attraction and development initiatives including the NSFA Skellern Cup, Female Coach Mentoring Program and Female Football Working Group.

The deal also sees Harvey Norman supporting the NSFA Men’s and Women’s Premier Leagues as our Premier Competitions partner.

A well-known Australian-based brand, Harvey Norman has multiple locations positioned directly within or adjacent to the NSFA footprint – Gordon, Belrose, North Ryde and the newly-opened premium store at Hornsby Westfield.

“This partnership with Harvey Norman reflects our shared desire to continue developing football within the region, and in particular providing opportunities for female footballers,” said Ed Ferguson, NSFA CEO.

“We are looking forward to working with Harvey Norman and its local stores over the next year across a variety of initiatives and events and hopefully build a foundation that will continue well into the future.”

“With over 80 football fields and close to 20,000 players in the Northern Suburbs Football Association catchment, you always know when football season has started,” commented Dan Matthews, Harvey Norman Electrical Proprietor, Hornsby store.

“Our local playing fields come alive with players from as young as 5 up to 77, all training and playing their hearts out. When you see those players getting fit and having fun, you witness first-hand why Harvey Norman have come on board as a major partner of the NSFA. 

“We look forward to working with the team on their priority focus of player retention, attraction and development and are committed to working with them to achieve their goal of 32% female player participation by 2023.”

Current offers

Get to know your local store: Carlo Di Clemente

Harvey Norman stores are owned and operated by local proprieters who are invested in the community. Meet Carlo Di Clemente from Harvey Norman Belrose!

Where did you grow up?

Brisbane, Queensland.

What is your favourite sport to play/watch?

I love NRL and NFL, Brisbane Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys are my teams.

How long have you worked for Harvey Norman for?

My career with Harvey Norman has reached 27 years. Currently Belrose is my 10^th Franchise with my first store in Hamilton country Victoria in 2001.

What is your favourite Harvey Norman memory?

My favourite memory was the first time I met Gerry Harvey in early 2001. As nervous as I was, it was noticeably clear why he is successful. Gerry told me the number one thing we do is People and to this very day I carry this ethos into my Business. People are the most important thing that we do.

What is your department?

AVIT Technology and Entertainment.

What products are trending now in your department?

iPhone 12 is the trending product of the month, and some amazing deals we have when connected to Optus Network.

What is your best advice to your customer?

A pandemic will always test our resolve as people and when tested, amazing people will rise to the challenge and do amazing things. Our customers have supported our business during these difficult months. For this I am truly thankful and look forward to seeing you at Harvey Norman Belrose soon!

We are pleased to announce Eilidh Mackay will be taking on a new role as Head of Female Football within NSFA.

Eilidh has worked full time for the past five years with NSFA in the role of Representative Programs Manager supporting Northern Tigers FC, XLR8 Player Development Programs and female football initiatives during this time. Eilidh is well known throughout the region due to her presence in XLR8, leading the Female Football Working Group and recently creating the Female Coach Mentoring Program.

Eilidh’s new role will see her continue bringing life to the Female Football Plan, released in early 2020, as NSFA looks ahead to the 2023 Women’s World Cup and lays the foundation ahead for the transformation of the game. Eilidh will spend more time in the community over the coming seasons, supporting Female Football Coordinators within Clubs to provide a multitude of attraction initiatives to the sport, help strengthen Club processes and opportunities to aid retention, and provide development opportunities for players, coaches and volunteers.

NSFA CEO Ed Ferguson made comment on the appointment. “This role is truly deserved for a person that has dedicated so much time and effort to football in our region as well as her passion for the female game. The NSFA community has responded extremely well to Eilidh’s efforts over the past two seasons in establishing key capability building programs and it is due to this response and the hunger for more female football opportunities that I am pleased to have Eilidh move into a new role as Head of Female Football.”

The Female Football Plan – What’s Best For Her –  is a ground breaking strategy that creates a roadmap for NSFA, our 30 member Clubs and our membership to work towards. It is the first of its kind from a grassroots Association and I believe we have the right strategy, structure in place and people on board. The next few years will be significant for female football ahead of the World Cup and we plan to be leading by example.”

Find out more about the Female Football Plan here.

Eilidh vacates her administrative duties at Northern Tigers, allowing well known Northern Tigers FC & XLR8 coach Daniel Febo to step into her shoes. Dan takes on a slightly adjusted role as Football Administration Manager, supporting the NSFA’s pathways pillar, XLR8 Player Development and Coach Education. Dan steps into the role after three years working within the community as a coach educator, Northern Tigers SAP and Youth coach as well as XLR8 Program Leader. Ferguson congratulated Dan on his new role.

“Dan has been a great addition to NSFA since he first joined us in 2018 and it is great to be able to provide an opportunity for him to experience football full time. Dan has been extremely passionate, dedicated to learning and always looking at ways to improve the football experience of those under his leadership. I am confident Dan will continue to evolve the FAM role and allow the Pathways pillar of the Future Football Strategy to become ever stronger.”

View the Future Football Strategic Plan here.

Contact Details

Eilidh Mackay – Head of Female Football – eilidh.mackay@nsfa.asn.au

Daniel Febo – Football Administration Manager – daniel.febo@nsfa.asn.au

The club would like to acknowledge the immense contribution made by departing Men’s First Grade captain Luke Dawson.

Dawso has made 199 Super League/NPL appearances for Men’s First Grade, placing him second on the all-time list. Club Technical Director Jason Eagar had this to say about his time at Tigers:

“Across ten 1^st Grade seasons as a Tigers player Dawso played in 6 Finals series, making 3 Grand Finals, winning 2 of those Grand Finals – a very successful period. Dawso has left a great legacy at the Club as a model Tigers player – hardworking, selfless, intelligent, positive, a great person!

“Dawso made a huge contribution on the field scoring important goals and making his trademark runs in behind from midfield. His contribution off the field has been just as valuable as Club Captain over the past couple of seasons, and as a mentor to the next generation of Tigers players as a SAP coach and Boys Youth Coach.

“Thank you Dawso it has been a pleasure to work with you since that first day I met you in 2010 at Mills Park!”

Club Award Winners

Club Trademarks Awards: Tess Rickard and Darren Pratt

10 Year Awards: Josie Wilson, Emma Watkins, Sammy de Montemas and Katie Philipson

Pat O’Sullivan Junior Player of the Year: Eliza Brown (WNPL U15s)

Goalkeepers of the Year: Jodie Drever (WNPL U15s) and Elliot Carwardine (MNPL Firsts)

Women’s NPL Team Trademarks Awards

• G14s – Dominique Brown
• G15s – Annabel Hutcheson
• G17s – Montana-Rose Curry
• Reserve Grade – Bo Burton
• First Grade – Lauren Allan

Men’s and Youth NPL Team Trademarks Awards

• U13s – Kobe Moore
• U14s – Charlie Mattison
• U15s – Jason Nguyen
• U16s – Ethan Oliver
• U18s – Ming-Lok Sun
• U20s – Kealey Adamson

Women’s NPL Players’ Player Awards

• G14s – Mia Hunt
• G15s – Lucy Wartmann
• G17s – Jasmine Meli
• Reserve Grade – Daisy Cheesman
• First Grade – Ellie Brush

Men’s and Youth NPL Players’ Player Awards

• U13s – Matthew Chitterer
• U14s – Ko Tohara
• U15s – Javier Struve-Betancourt
• U16s – Matt Wahby
• U18s – Paul Toepfer
• U20s – Will Hodgson

The inaugural Northern Tigers Tigers Club Golf Day is set to take place on Friday 27^th November at North Turramurra Golf Course.

Our ongoing partnership with North Turramurra Golf Course strengthens in 2020 as we put down the boots and pick up the clubs! Set at our Home of Football, we welcome players, parents, partners and the NSFA community to take part in a social golf day to round out the year and celebrate with friends.

We will play a 9-hole, four-ball Ambrose event, with a BBQ lunch provided from 1pm. Tee off 2pm.

Post-golf, we will head back to Club Turramurra (181 Bobbin Head Rd, North Turramurra) for light food and drinks.

The Golf Day will cost $60 per person, including:

• 9 holes of golf at North Turramurra Golf Course
• BBQ Lunch at the Course
• Prizes for winners
• Prizes for the Raffle, nearest the pin and longest drive competition

Click here to register now as a Single, Double or Foursome.

We have limited spaces for the afternoon and look forward to having you with us.

Golf Carts and additional items can be purchase from the Course. Speak with James (james@elitegolfnsw.com.au).

Congratulations to Emma Watkins (West Pymble FC junior) on making her 100th appearance for our Women’s First Grade team last night against Emerging Jets!

First Grade Coach Jason Eagar had this to say about the midfielder:

“I would like to congratulate Emma on reaching 100 1st Grade games, what makes this even more impressive is that she turned 21 only a few weeks ago.

Emma is a true Tiger in so many ways, progressing through Tigers as a youth player into the 1st Grade squad at a very young age.

Emma has immense determination, a great work ethic, and is the type of player everyone wants to play next to.

While her balance is questionable at times her quality on the field isn’t – the goal she scored in the Grand Final last season was a great example of what Emma is capable of.

I’m looking forward to watching Emma play another 100 games in a Tigers 1st Grade shirt!”

Photo thanks to Dan Ullman – Aptitude Photography.

On Saturday night young striker Will Hodgson (Northbridge FC junior) made his debut for our Men’s First Grade, having scored 13 goals this season already across matches with our U20s and U18s.

The 18-year-old is in his seventh year with Tigers and becomes the third local junior to make their debut for Men’s First Grade this season.

Lead photo thanks to Dan Ullman (Instagram – @aptitudephotography).

With the prospect of a spot on the plane to the Olympics with the Matildas on the horizon, Ellie Brush has gone all-in on the round ball game, re-signing for Sydney FC ahead of the 2020/21 W-League season.

The 32-year-old has left her AFLW career behind in this pursuit, having spent the past four years balancing her W-League commitments with the Giants.

“With the Olympics being postponed to next year it seemed like a good chance to go around again (in the W-League) to try and make the squad,” she explained.

“I’d really regret it if I didn’t give it another go to play for the Matildas.”

Brush was ever-present for the Sky Blues in the most recent W-League season, playing every minute as the team finished third on the table before losing the grand final to Melbourne City.

The central defender his hoping her form in the W-League will catch the eye of the incoming Matildas coach.

“I just try to be consistent wherever I play, and I feel at the moment I’m playing my best football.

“I’m physically at my best too, the cross-training in AFL has really helped my conditioning.

“Having played two seasons with the Dash (in the NSWL), I think I’ve also shown I can play at the highest level.”

Until the W-League kicks off later this year though, Brush lining up for our Women’s First Grade side in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Brush is in her third season at Northern Tigers, playing a pivotal role in the heart of defence as Women’s First Grade qualified for their first NPL1 grand final last year.

Brush celebrates a goal with her teammates in last year’s preliminary final. Photo thanks to Jeremy NG/Football NSW.

“I love the club and we’ve got a tight-knit bunch of players built around the same values – we never stop fighting and we play for one another,” she said.

“I think there’s quite a few players in the team who could make the step up to the W-League as well now a lot of last season’s players have moved to Europe.”

With her extensive playing experience, Brush has provided a guiding presence to the younger members of the squad.

“I love trying to help the younger girls as much as I can, there’s a lot of players in reserves knocking on the door of the first team.

“It’s fantastic having them around in training, they’ve got a lot of talent and great futures ahead of them.”

Women’s First Grade take on Sydney Olympic at Peter Moore Field on Sunday, looking to break a three-match scoreless run.

“We’re certainly tracking in the right direction, we’ve got a good team base,” Brush explained.

“The goals will come, I think once we get one the floodgates will open.”

You can stream this Sunday’s Women’s First Grade fixture (3pm kick-off) live on NPL.tv once you register for a free account.

19-year-old Oliver Scott (Wahroonga/Turramurra United junior) was given his First Grade debut on Sunday against St George City, with coach Adam Hett moving the youngster straight into the starting line-up after starting the season with six goals in four games for the Under 20s.

After setting up Ollie Wiggin for the opening goal in the 15^th minute, Scott then delivered the final pass for the winning goal in the 87^th minute!

Now in his eighth season at the club, Oliver has worked his way through the ranks at Tigers since joining our Under 12s in 2013, featuring in our Under 20s Grand final victory last year and also winning the Tigers Trademarks Team Award that season.

Photo thanks to Marlee Mahon.

A massive congratulations to Ally Brown (Wahroonga/ Turramurra United Football Club junior) on making his 100th NPL appearance for our Men’s First Grade team on Sunday against St George City!

First Grade Coach Adam Hett had this to say about the midfielder:

“Ally Brown has been a fantastic player for the club. I often refer to him as the David Silva of the Northern Suburbs. He possesses the ability to find space easily on pitch and loves to get on the half turn and play forward as much as possible.

He is such an important player for our first grade squad for the football we try to play. Ally also plays an important role in the coaching department with our junior teams, making sure we have more ‘Ally Browns’ coming through the system. It’s brilliant to see him hit the 100 game mark. It’s hard to believe he is still only in his early 20s!”

It was goals galore on Saturday night, with First Grade splitting six goals evenly with Hills United while our Under 20s made it three straight wins to start the season!

On Sunday against Manly United it was a hard-fought match in Women’s First Grade that saw the teams share the points in a scoreless draw – congratulations to the Under 15s for picking up the three points!

Our Youth NPL came away with a winning record at Charles Bean Oval against Hills United, with the 13s and 15s coming away with big wins.

#HearUsRoar

FULL RESULTS AND SCORERS

R03 Men’s NPL 2 vs Hills United – NTRA

First Grade – 3-3 Draw (Shervin Adeli, Nick Drummond, Lachlan Lloyd)
Under 20s – 4-1 Win (Will Hodgson, Oliver Scott, Jeremy Vaz, Tallon Zahra)

R06 Youth NPL vs Hills United – Charles Bean Oval

Under 18s – 4-2 Loss (Jakob Ham, Jack Barr)
Under 16s – 3-0 Win (Julien Vitale x2, Christian Archibald)
Under 15s – 1-0 Win (Lewis Adamson)
Under 14s – 1-0 Loss
Under 13s – 4-0 Win (Anthony Melissari, Lucas Kwan, Nick Dolman, Matthew Chitterer)

R03 Women’s NPL vs Manly United – NTRA

First Grade – 0-0 Draw
Reserve Grade – 2-0 Loss

R06 Women’s NPL vs Manly United – NTRA

Under 17s – 4-1 Loss (Eloise Hansen)
Under 15s – 1-0 Win (Eliza Brown)
Under 14s – 3-0 Loss

It was a wet and wild Sunday at Christie Park, but thankfully all matches were able to be completed! Unfortunately the day was bookended by losses in the U14s and First Grade, but through the middle of the day we collected three victories – congratulations to Reserve Grade for defeating last year’s champions!

Men’s Under 20s continued their impressive start to the season, with Oliver Scott bagging a hat-trick in a 4-0 win. First Grade could not repeat their performance from earlier in the year at Bonnyrigg, unfortunately succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.

Saturday’s Youth NPL fixtures against Marconi were postponed and will be replayed at a later date.

FULL RESULTS AND SCORERS

R02 Women’s NPL vs NWS Koalas – Christie Park

First Grade – 2-0 Loss
Reserve Grade – 3-1 Win (Pascale La Hei, Zoe Halpin, Cheyenne Dearie)

R05 Women’s NPL vs NWS Koalas – Christie Park

Under 17s – 4-0 Win (Claudia Johnston x2, Monique Hore, Amelia Suma)
Under 15s – 2-0 Win (Phoebe Riley, Keely Macgregor)
Under 14s – 5-0 Loss

R02 Men’s NPL 2 vs Bonnyrigg White Eagles – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre

First Grade – 2-0 Loss
Under 20s – 4-0 Win (Oliver Scott x3, Will Hodgson)

Football Federation Australia (FFA) and New Zealand Football (NZF) are delighted their ground-breaking vision to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023 will be realised after being awarded the hosting rights by FIFA.

FFA and NZF would like to thank the FIFA Council for their landmark decision, which will see the two countries host a tournament of firsts ─ the first ever co-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup™, the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup™ to be held in the Asia-Pacific region, and the first ever to be held in the southern hemisphere.   

A player-centric tournament, Australia-New Zealand promises to deliver record-breaking crowds and long-term participation growth, bringing football together As One to celebrate the women’s game.

FFA and NZF would also like to thank the Australian and New Zealand governments, Matildas’ and Football Ferns’ fans and the entire football family who have supported the bid from the outset, as well as the bidding team who worked tirelessly to develop a bid that will unlock the untapped football potential of the Asia-Pacific region.

NZF President and FIFA Council Member, Johanna Wood, believes Australia-New Zealand will deliver a tournament the likes of which has not been seen before:

“Australia and New Zealand will not only host a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ that is the largest tournament ever run, but it will also be a catalyst for ensuring the development of women’s football continues in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

“Our two nations have worked together to deliver an exceptional, historic bid and I would like to thank FIFA and the whole football family for giving us this opportunity. The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023 will bring us all together in a celebration of our shared loved of football.”

FFA President, Chris Nikou, believes FFA and NZF’s unique geographical location was a key strength for the successful bid:

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023 in Australia and New Zealand will be ground-breaking in many ways. Not only will it be the first ever co-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup™ and the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in the Asia-Pacific region, but we will unlock the huge potential for growth in women’s football in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We would like to thank FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), the Australian and New Zealand governments and all those who have supported the bid.”

Matildas’ captain, Sam Kerr, believes a home FIFA Women’s World Cup™ is an opportunity to inspire a new generation of young Matildas to play football:

“The opportunity to play in a home FIFA Women’s World Cup™ is something every footballer dreams of and I am looking forward to seeing those dreams come true. Playing for the Matildas in Australia will be the highlight of my career and an opportunity to inspire girls, both in Australia and New Zealand, and all over the world to play football. We have seen great progress in the women’s game and Australia-New Zealand will take the game to a whole new level.”

Football Ferns’ captain, Ali Riley, believes placing players’ needs firsts will produce great benefits for the tournament:

“As players, we have been in close contact with both FFA and NZF to develop a tournament which will enable players to deliver their very best on the field. To lead the Football Ferns in a home FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in New Zealand will be truly special and inspire a new generation of Football Ferns.”

Please click here to view FFA and NZF’s final video presentation to the FIFA Council.

Media release from FFA.

Eilidh Mackay’s life today would have been very different if it wasn’t for the itch to pull on her boots.

Visiting Australia in 2009 on a gap year from her native Scotland, Mackay signed up to play for the local club of her relatives in Sydney – Lindfield FC.

The team was coached by current Northern Tigers Men’s Under 20’s coach Rich Byrne and swept all before them in the NSFA WAA1 competition, winning the league, the finals series and all their matches along the way.

“It’s one of the best years I’ve ever had playing football,” Eilidh reflects.

“The results were great, but most of all I still have friends from that team today!”

Returning to Europe after that whirlwind season, it was a chance catch-up years later that would introduce Eilidh to Northern Tigers.

In the harbour city for a futsal tournament in January of 2015, Eilidh reached out to her former coach Rich, who was now involved at Tigers.

“Rich told me to come down for a kick-around and afterwards the head coach Kai (Lammert) asked me if I was interested in joining the squad for the season,” she explains.

“I was hesitant at first but I ended up staying, though my season was cut short after I did my knee in May!”

Despite a curtailed playing experience that year, off the pitch Eilidh found her newest passion – coaching.

“I got started coaching through the NSFA Football School and Knox Grammar and realised how much I enjoyed it.”

“Through NSFA I was running sessions for teams at clubs like Hornsby RSL and St Ives and I guess was getting positive feedback because Jason (Eagar, NSFA Technical Director) approached me about becoming involved with Tigers.”

“I did my C Licence over the Christmas holidays in a leg brace!”

With a newly-minted C Licence under her belt, Eilidh took charge of the Women’s NPL Under 13’s and the Girls SAP Under 10’s for the 2016 season, while also playing and balancing her NSFA Football School commitments.

The season brought success in both coaching and playing, with the Under 13’s and Women’s First Grade winning their grand finals.

“It was a really special day because all five of our Women’s teams were playing in grand finals,” Eilidh explains.

“I started off the day with the Under 13’s winning, then in the First Grade final I scored the opening goal and we came out on top.

“It was a phenomenal year from all the Women’s teams, which I think showed we were ready to make the step up to NPL1 the following year.”

Eilidh would spend the next two seasons playing for the senior squad before hanging up her boots to focus on coaching.

After coaching her grand final winning Under 13’s the next year as they stepped up into the Under 15’s age group, Eilidh moved across to the club’s Boys Youth NPL teams, coaching successive seasons (2018 and 2019) in the Under 13’s and 14’s.

2019 also saw her take on the role of Girls SAP Technical Director, overseeing the coaches and players of all four teams within the program.

“I wasn’t sure if it was for me, because I was still very keen to continue coaching teams myself,” she says.

“However I’ve really enjoyed being able to mentor our coaches, and the club has always used Girls SAP as an opportunity to develop female coaches.”

Eilidh has used her experience within the Girls SAP program to develop the NSFA Female Coach Mentoring Program.

The program forms part of the NSFA’s Female Football Plan – What’s Best for Her – which Eilidh played an essential part in creating.

“Within GSAP we have a great environment for the coaches where they feel supported and bounce ideas off each other,” she explains.

“I wanted to bring that same idea to grassroots coaches and give them the chance to further their development.”

“We have a range of coaches involved, from more experienced development coaches to teenagers and parents just starting out.”

The program kicked off in March with 24 local coaches to sign up but has already bolstered its ranks to 34 during the season delay.

While she has been continuing to build her skills as a coach mentor, Eilidh has also furthered her own development this season by taking charge of the Women’s NPL Under 17’s.

“This is the oldest group of players I’ve ever coached and it’s the first year of the performance phase so it’s different to what I’ve done before,” she comments.

“However, I’ve coached a lot of these players before so that has helped in making the step up.”

“I would love to coach senior teams at some point, but right now my focus is on this season.”

Click here to view the full NSFA Female Football Plan.

Contact Eilidh if you are interested in the Female Coach Mentoring Program: rpm@nsfa.asn.au.

If you asked Lachlan ‘Lachie’ Lloyd about his love affair with sport growing up, you would learn about a self-described “competitive little bugger”. You would learn about a kid who tried his hand (and foot) at every sport he could.

It was football though, which turned out to be Lloyd’s true calling.

Early days and coming through the ranks at the Tigers

Having joined up with the Tigers’ Under 11s squad from local side Lindfield FC as a ten-year-old, Lloyd quickly understood the difference in quality afforded by the age gap, something which provided to a great learning curve.

“In my first year I probably struggled a bit because I was a 10-year-old against 11-year-olds, and when you’re that young age it is quite a big difference. I was a bit iffy in that first year about whether I enjoyed it or not, but then in my second year I was with the Under 11s and I knew I wanted to stick with it.”

From the Under 11s onwards, Lloyd found himself progressing well through the ranks at the Tigers. It was his Under 15s coach, Gui De Souza, who brought Lloyd and his teammates’ passion for football to a whole new level.

“Gui was awesome for our team as we were a pretty inconsistent age group. We would win a game 9-0 one week and then lose 2-0 the next. He brought it all together for us and he made us a lot fitter, which made a big difference.”

“He brought an overarching joy to it because we would love going to training and to games. He had the idea that you perform best when you’re having fun and we had a lot of fun. Which I guess showed in the results.”

Unforgettable memories of a 54-game unbeaten run which started in the Under 15s and then went on to include a grand final win, a dominant tour of England and a strong year in the Under 16s ranks up high in Lloyd’s litany of achievements with the Tigers.

“Gui kind of gave me the fitness and the bases that I needed and then technically I became a lot better under our current First-Grade coach ‘Hetty’ (Adam Hett) when he was coaching me in the Under 20s. He helped me improve a lot quickly on top of the base that Gui formed for me.”

“It’s currently my third year with him (Hetty), he’s probably getting sick of me!”

The foundations laid in his junior years at the club allowed the midfielder to shine in the older age groups, culminating in a First Grade debut at just 18 and a 2019 grand final win with the Under 20s.

Celebrating Grand Final wins in 2015 and 2019.

“Obviously, it’s always a great day when you make your First Grade debut, I was lucky enough to do it when I was 18 off the bench against Spirit (NWS Spirit FC). It was pretty weird; I had a couple of schoolmates in the crowd and they were just waiting for me to go home with them. They were not expecting me to get on the pitch but then I came on, which was pretty funny.”

“Last year, I was in First Grade and then I dropped down to the Under 20s. It was a strange situation; I started the season playing 20s because I couldn’t get in to the first grade squad. I had a good start with the 20s and after five games I was playing first grade for the rest of the year.”

“After an Under 20s game the coach asked if I’d be happy to play in the finals if first grade didn’t push on in the finals and obviously, I jumped at the chance, because a few of my good mates are in that 20s team. It almost reminded me just how fun it is playing with your mates. Winning any grand final is special, but with a few of your best mates it’s even better and we won it with the last kick of the game.”

Time with the senior team

Lloyd kicked off his tenth season at the club with a wonderfully struck last minute goal for the Tigers, securing a 2-1 win over Bonnyrigg White Eagles to start the season off with a bang.

“To be honest I had a horrific game [leading up to that point]. I’d hardly made a pass all game so I wasn’t down on myself but [as a team] we were obviously frustrated that we conceded in the 88th minute after playing quite well.”

“All pre-season Hetty has been ripping in to me about not getting in to the box enough so as soon as I saw the ball going down the line and no one in the box I thought it was my time to get there and to make sure I’m an option, luckily it came to me and it was probably the best I’ve ever struck a ball!”

“It was a good start to the season and would definitely be in my top three moments at Tigers. It’s just a shame it finished so quickly afterwards.”

COVID-19’s influence on the world and on football has been massive. Only in the last week has a health-first approach in the return to training been deemed doable by Football NSW. For Lloyd, this season was set to be the year where he solidified himself as a part of the first grade setup.

“Last year was my first full year in first grade and I felt that I had learned a lot and was focused on trying to become a better player. I really felt that going in to this year it was my time to step up and try to be a key part of the team. I wasn’t the rookie anymore, I felt I needed to perform week in, week out and get consistency in my game.”

“I was feeling good and fit. I’d had a good pre-season and obviously it was frustrating with all this. But hopefully, if we get back on the field we can get going.”

Growth of club culture

A significant change which has caught the eye of Lloyd as he’s come through has been the club’s renewed approach to youth development and the culture that has been fostered as a result.

“Early on it was definitely more about you as a junior and developing. That was when the club wasn’t really as focused on the culture. Like the First Grade wouldn’t really know anyone in the Under 13s team. I think recently Jason (Eagar) has done an awesome job of changing that attitude.”

“[With] all the junior age groups, even when I was 15 or 16, having a coach who played first grade for the last couple of years saying “this is where you want to get to in three years”, it made a big difference because it gave you a goal, rather than just developing and wondering if you’re actually getting better.”

“[Now it’s about] making sure that the kids understand that there is actually that pathway. Because I know there are always good opportunities for good young players at Northern Tigers to go elsewhere, but if you wait your time and keep working hard, you’ll get a good crack at first grade, which you don’t get at many other clubs.”

A strong club culture has aided in the unification across the entire football department. As First Grade players are taking up more opportunities to coach at the club, so too are kids taking up the opportunity to see their coaches in action.

“Off the field it’s (the club culture) becoming better and better. Even last year, the boys and the girls started supporting each other more and more, which was good fun. For the Women’s Grand Final, we had just lost our semi-final and were pretty down, but we knew we were important to the girls and we made sure we were singing for them. Just small things like that make a big difference”

“Just the fact that there are First Grade and 20s players now coaching the younger generation and our SAP (Skills Acquisition Program), it really brings the club together and puts a name to a face. Now, Under 9s kids come in to watch us just because their coach is playing.”

Although, in spite of the strides taken by the club with its culture, Lloyd knows that a good environment does not automatically assure success.

“For me, the teams that I’ve always done best in are the teams that get along well and have a good culture and you need to be able to have a good culture all the way through. I think it’s also brought a different aspect where we’re able to use it as a drawing card to get better players”.

“But at the same time, culture only takes you so far, you need to get the results on the pitch to be successful and that comes from hard work at training and making sure you’re prepared for the game well”.

“We always talk about how good our culture is and I genuinely believe it is one of the best in the NPL. As a Men’s side especially, we need to keep winning to make sure that we are one of the most successful sides on the pitch as well and to get up to NPL 1, because at the end of the day that is where we want to be”.

Written by Matthew Badrov.