Learn more about one of our new faces for 2022 – Under 16 Boys Youth and Development Squad coach Troy Sheather!
Can you tell us about your coaching history? Which clubs have you previously been involved with?
I first started coaching when I was 18 and still playing. I started with the u12’s and u14’s at Pennant Hills. I was also studying Human Movement/Sports Coaching at Uni at the time so it was a way for me to put into practice what we were learning in class. It was a great eye opener to see that what works perfectly on paper doesn’t always work perfectly on the field.
I really enjoyed coaching right from the start. Not just the technical and/or tactical side but also building a team culture and working with different personalities and skill levels. I stayed coaching at Pennant Hills for the next few years and also taught in school programs for YMCA and other smaller academies.
With a few years off here and there, over the last 30 years or so I have coached all age groups from u7-u18, predominantly in the grassroots area but also recently with the Development Squads at Northern Tigers and last season in NPL with Western Rage u15/16 youth teams.
For the last 4 years or so I have also been the Club Coach Co-ordinator at Hornsby Heights FC which has given me an opportunity to work with a range of coaches within HHFC and also from the XLR8 coaching team lead by Nick Marr and Jake Stephenson.
This season I am looking forward to working with the staff and players at Northern Tigers. I will also be taking a role as an academy coach for the Liverpool FC International Academy which will bring more knowledge and experience.
What are you looking forward to this season coaching at Northern Tigers?
The Northern Tigers is a strong club with quality coaches and players.I’m excited to be involved with a club that I was first involved with as a junior almost 35 years ago.
The year will no doubt throw up some challenges but I am looking forward to seeing the players train hard, overcome obstacles and continue to develop over the season. We’ve had a few months together already and the players are talented, committed and ambitious. I think we have some good times ahead.
On a personal coaching level I look forward to learning and expanding my own coaching skills with the help of the experienced coaches involved in the Tigers set-up.
How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
I see myself as a Development Coach focussing on helping players become the best version of themselves. It’s important to create a positive team culture where the players are able to develop their physical, social, psychological and technical aspects not just for playing football but also to help them in their life away from football also.
The team is made up of 12-16 individuals all of whom have their ups and downs in life. I want the football field to be a place where they can forget about the outside world for 90 minutes and enjoy being amongst friends while still working hard, improving their understanding of the game and developing into better players.
What attracted you to join Northern Tigers? What do you like about the club?
My first involvement with the Tigers (KDSA) was as a player in the youth system many years ago. I have many fond memories of training and playing in the green and white. Since starting my coaching journey I have aspired to be involved with the Tigers again as they have many quality people and one of the better set-ups in the NPL system. As a coach it’s an ideal environment to work with skilful players and also keep expanding my own coaching knowledge and ability.
What goals do you have for the team this season?
The team is bursting with talent and has a great work ethic so I expect them to be very competitive this season. Of course we all want to win and that is the aim of the game however I prefer to focus on performance over results by challenging the players as individuals and as a team.
I’d like to see the players perform with confidence, intelligence, creativity and skill by developing their weak areas and further strengthening areas they are already good at.
If we get to the end of the season and the coaches and players can honestly say we put in our best effort throughout the season, had some ups and downs but created some memories along the way then that will be a success for me.