Learn more about one of our new faces for 2022 – Under 14 Girls Youth coach Fin Geraghty!
Can you tell us about your coaching history? Which clubs have you previously been involved with?
I started my coaching journey in 2017, volunteering under the guidance of Brendan Dalton. The following season, much to my sister’s surprise, I started coaching her U14B Diamond League team at Lindfield FC. I will forever be grateful to those players and parents, but most of all to my sister, who helped me fall in love with coaching.
At the end of 2018 I joined XLR8, and in my first year I received support and mentorship from Ed Ferguson, Eilidh Mackay and Nick Marr amongst many others. Empowered and inspired, in 2019 I stayed-on with my sister’s team as they transitioned to the G16 Diamond League, and at the end of the season I completed my FFA C Licence.
The following season I moved clubs to coach the G16 Diamond League joint-venture team with Turramurra United and Kissing Point. I was lucky enough to have players like Jasmine Fattah, Jade Murray, and my sister Saskia Geraghty move across with me. In 2021 I coached my fourth consecutive year in the Diamond League, once again taking the G16 squad at Turramurra United and Kissing Point.
That same season, under the guidance of Craig Tyrie, I significantly developed my coaching skills by also coaching Turramurra United’s U9 and U10 SAP teams.
2022 will be my first season coaching in the NPL space, however, I have recently completed part 1 of my FFA B Licence to best equip myself to coach the players in my care.
What are you looking forward to this season coaching at Northern Tigers?
I’m looking forward to listening, learning, and challenging myself this season. I’ll be working my hardest to develop, empower, and inspire the players in my care. Every time I step across that white line I’ll have a smile on my face. I’m elated to be a part of such a fantastic club and community.
How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
I believe football should be fun and entertaining, for the players and for the fans. That means having the ball, being brave and creative, and getting numbers forward to score as many goals as possible. I am a strong believer in my players and will always encourage them to express themselves on the pitch.
As a young coach who has come through the NSFA as a player and a coach, I think I’m an excellent testimony to just how strong the NSFA’s footballing identity is. I’m a strong believer in the Northern Tigers style of play, and will be proud to help the players bring it to life on the pitch this season.
Why do you coach?
I’ve always looked up to my coaches as role models and important people in my life. They’ve inspired me, empowered me, and have been formative in who I am today. I understand first-hand the impact that a coach can have on a person, and I want to give back that same way. I believe coaches have the power to change not only the world, but the worlds of every person they work with.
What goals do you have for the team this season?
The most important thing for me is that the players all feel valued, supported, challenged, have fun, and stay in the game.
I’d like to inspire and empower the girls to be confident, brave, and creative footballers and people. And I’d like to contribute to a team culture where the players all feel safe, and are able to inspire and empower each other.
In terms of performance, I’d like to challenge the 14s to score as many goals as possible this season. The modern game is trending towards having complete players who can score or contribute to goals from all sorts of positions, and I hope to equip my players for the future of Football. And besides, more goals, more fun.
When you’re not coaching or playing football, what do you do?
I’m studying Sports Business and Creative Intelligence and Innovation at UTS, which I’m really enjoying. Although I am especially keen to do classes in-person next semester, as online isn’t really my thing.
I can often be found listening to music. Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Gang of Youths, MF DOOM, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Cat Empire, and Sade.
I’m a huge fan of women’s football and watch all the Arsenal Ladies games. I also love attending W-League (now A-League Women’s) games live. My favourite players are Vivianne Miedema, Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Katie McCabe and Princess Ibini-Isei.
I have lots of fun playing board games with my best friends. Chess, Settlers of Catan, Codenames, and Munchkin are amongst my favourites.
I’m always up for anything adventurous or outdoorsy. A recent highlight was a 48km bushwalk which took U20s player Luke Klusman and me 11 and a half hours.