New Zealand Football is delighted to announce that Radha McGlashan of Douglas Villa AFC is 2021’s McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year.

She was surprised by Capital Football’s Katie Barrott and Jack Morrissey, who headed over to the Masterton club to deliver what Radha thought was a special coaching session, but was actually the good news.

Radha coaches Douglas Villa AFC’s 12th Grade Hotshots and 11th Grade Titans, putting her hand up to coach the Hotshots when the team was without a coach to ensure that they could play this season. Many nominations touched on the fact she coaches without having a family connection to the teams, how she balances coaching with playing, the additional one on one sessions she offers players, and the extra team building activities she organised.  

But don’t just take it from us, hear what Radha’s players have to say about her and why she’s deservingly named 2021’s McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year:
 

People’s Choice Winner: Victoria Piggott

Onehunga Mangere United’s Victoria Piggott has been crowned the inaugural McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year People’s Choice winner, decided by a public vote.

Coach of Onehunga Mangere United’s 9th Grade Pokemon for the last three seasons, this season also saw her taking up the reigns as manager. Victoria was nominated for McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year for her enthusiasm and infectious positivity, well-structured sessions and desire to challenge her players to be the best they can be.

Brian Murphy, Onehunga Mangere United director of football, had this to say about Victoria’s nomination:

“Victoria is a coach who seeks information and is always very willing to learn to help improve the learning of her players on and off the field. She is so enthusiastic about the game and her positivity is infectious. Victoria has taken time this year to plan her sessions so she can enhance and add value to her players. She is a great asset to the club and it’s volunteers like Victoria that make our club great and give the club a real community and family feel.

“We are very proud of Victoria being nominated and it’s fully deserved. She is person who truly cares about giving back and she has embraced our football philosophy this year by encouraging our junior players to try new things on field and not to be afraid to fail as this is where the true learning takes place.”

Article added: Thursday 23 September 2021