From humble beginnings at West Pymble Football Club to making an impact in Northern Tigers’ First Grade squad, Olivier Beltran-Woodward has carved out a football journey defined by resilience, growth, and passion. In this interview, he reflects on the ups and downs of his path through the NPL ranks, the culture that drew him to Northern Tigers, and the team’s unforgettable season.
Where did your football journey begin?
My football journey began at West Pymble Football Club.
Please talk us through your football career before joining Northern Tigers Football Club, including where and how you started playing NPL football.
Between ages 13 and 16, I trialled with several NPL teams, including Northern Tigers, but I wasn’t selected. After a strong year with West Pymble U18s at 16, I signed for Dunbar Rovers U18s shortly after turning 17. I played with Dunbar Rovers in NPL2 and was retained the following year for their U20 squad competing in NPL3.
I had a solid season and earned the opportunity to play First Grade, contributing to Dunbar’s promotion to NPL2. The following season, I continued playing First Grade and was fortunate to sign for Northern Tigers at the end of that year. Since then, I’ve been lucky to be part of the First Grade team here at Northern Tigers.
When did you join Northern Tigers Football Club and how many seasons have you played for the club?
I joined for the 2024 season, and this latest season was my second playing for Northern Tigers.
What attracted you to join Northern Tigers Football Club?
It was a no-brainer for me. I spoke to some friends who had played or coached at the club, and they spoke so highly of the coaches, the intensity of the sessions, and the culture. They seemed to have all the pieces to be a top team.
I saw it as the best opportunity for me to develop as a player — with top coaching, a very professional training environment, and a great group of teammates.
What positions have you played this season, and how many goals have you scored?
I’ve played pretty much all my games as a striker. Unfortunately, I’ve been injured for about 10 weeks, but I still managed 5 goals and 5 assists.
What do you think has been the key to the First Grade team’s success this season, both in the league and the Australia Cup?
There are a lot of people this season’s success can be attributed to — probably too many to name.
First and foremost, I think our coaching staff invest a huge amount of time into giving us the best opportunity to succeed. From structuring sessions, tracking our running meters, and video analysis to recruitment — they’re a massive part of what we’ve achieved.
We also have a great group of players — a strong mix of youth players coming through and top-quality additions from elsewhere. Having that kind of squad creates a competitive environment that pushes everyone to be at their best. The standards are high, and the results speak for themselves.
The Waratah Cup semi-final win away at APIA was historic for the club, securing Northern Tigers’ first-ever Waratah Cup Final appearance. What was the atmosphere like, and did you believe a comeback was possible?
I think we went in believing we could win, and honestly, no one expected us to — which probably took the pressure off and gave the boys the freedom to just give it everything. Even when they took the lead, I still believed we could come back. It looked unlikely at that point, but I would never write us off.
What characteristics are Northern Tigers teams known for among their opponents?
Obviously, I never played for or against Tigers in youth, so I can only speak for the First Grade team. But from what I’ve seen and heard, people really respect Northern Tigers as a top club.
I’ve heard that we’re known for being willing to run all day and for having elite — but tough — training sessions.
There was even a rumour going around that we run a Bronco test after every session, and if we don’t pass, we can’t play on game day. I won’t confirm or deny that one… but we’re known as a hardworking team with all the quality to compete at the NPL1 level.
What do you like most about being part of the Northern Tigers?
It’s such a healthy mix of competitiveness and togetherness here. Getting to play the sport we love at a high level with a good group of people you can genuinely call your friends is something special. The club has been incredibly welcoming and made it an overwhelmingly positive experience for me.
What would completion of the Home of Football mean to the Northern Tigers Senior Men’s teams?
The completion of the Home of Football would be massive for us. I think it would legitimise us as an NPL1-calibre club. I believe we’re already there in terms of players and staff, but maybe not yet in terms of facilities. Having that home base would elevate everything to the next level.