Tara Murray
New Sunbury Kangaroos women’s coach Joseph Antonetti got a taste of coaching female football last season and fell in love with it.
Having played football for 14 years and then stepped into the committee side of things, including being president of Northern Saints for a number of years, Antonetti got his first taste of coaching female football last year.
It was something he loved and decided he wanted to try and get into a senior women’s coaching role.
The Kangaroos last week announced that Antonetti would take over coaching the women’s side, after the late departure of Ron Sikora to a premier division club.
Antonetti said he can’t wait to get started at the Essendon District Football League club.
“I’m really excited to get the opportunity to coach the senior women’s team, at a club like Sunbury that has a good history with their female program,” he said.
“Being at Northern Saints, they needed an under-14 girls coach and I stepped into the role. I loved it and had the passion to take it further.
“I think it’s nice to get a fresh start and witness a different environment.”
The Kangaroos had two sides last season, with their top side finishing fifth in division 1. This year they’re entering just one side.
Antonetti said he quickly learned so much from coaching the under-14 team at the Saints, which was combined with Hadfield.
“I definitely understand the differences in female footy and there is less ego, which is really good,” he said.
“Everyone listens and it’s nice to do something different.”
Antonetti is also assistant coach for the Australian women’s team at the Nations Cup, with Sikora the head coach. Several Kangaroos girls have been named in that team for this year.
Antonetti said Sikora had been really supportive of him going for the Kangaroos role.
The women’s side resumed training on Monday night ahead of the season kicking off in April.
Antonetti said he was keen to immerse himself in the program.
“I’ll hit the ground running the first week,” he said. “I’ll get a new idea of the new team and the new environment and start putting in the hard work for us.
“I haven’t put any expectations on what we can do, the sky’s the limit.”
The Kangaroos are still looking for women’s players for the upcoming season, Players are encouraged to come down to training which is Monday and Wednesday nights at Boardman Reserve or contact the club.
No experience is needed, with all players welcome.
The Kangaroos are also seeking players for their under-18.5 boys side, which will be coached by Ewen Hildebrand.
Anyone interested can contact Ewen on 0400 629 928.
