23 October 2013
Coaching Coup For Upper Hutt City Football
Upper Hutt City Football is delighted to announce Wendi Henderson as the coach of its Women’s Central League team for the 2014 season.
The former Football Fern will head the Women’s coaching team of Mike Gibbs, who will take on the role of Women’s 2nd team coach and Manu Kingi as coach of the proposed new 3rd team.
A local legend of the women’s game with a playing career spanning club, provincial and 64 appearances at international level, Wendi’s coaching CV is also impressive. She was recently appointed as the assistant coach of the Capital Football National Women’s League team, has been involved in the NZ Football Talent Acceleration Programme (TAP) sessions with the NZ U17 & U20 Wellington based players and has experience as a coach educator, “coaching the coaches”.
Says Wendi, “I’m really excited about the opportunity ahead. For me it’s about growing and developing a team that is committed to a plan with goals and milestones that can challenge for the Central League title in time. Upper Hutt has a great pool of youngsters coming through and it’s about becoming a club of choice for players with what we have to offer.
“We have a fantastic facility on our doorstep and a great club environment to go with it. Those sorts of things are just as important as the on-field opportunities for players. Because of the ‘total package’ we have to offer current and potential players to the club I can’t wait to get started.”
Meanwhile, Mike Gibbs brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from his time coaching at the top level in local women’s football and is relishing the challenge of his new role.
Says Mike, “this team was promoted mid-season in 2013 from Women’s Capital 2, finishing strongly in the top half of Capital 1. That was an awesome achievement and I’m confident we can push on and develop a side that can take the next step with promotion to Women’s Premier at the end of 2014. I’m looking forward to supporting the development of our younger players and those who aspire to play for the Women’s first team.”
The Club has also announced plans for a third female team for the 2014 season. Upper Hutt City Football club stalwart, Manu Kingi will coach the new team and says, “our priority is to create an environment where female players can enjoy their football and I look forward to supporting them.“
Lorraine Bowring, UHCF Women’s Club Captain is excited about the opportunities available to female players at the Club.
She says, “With a positively infectious club culture transpiring across the Junior and Senior environments, Upper Hutt City Football is in a position to support and cater for female players at every stage of their pathway, whether experienced, developing or social. Plus we can support an emerging and outrageously talented pool of youngsters as demonstrated by recent results at the Taupo Tournament. Of course, our players can’t perform on the field without the dedicated coaching and management team off it and I’m absolutely delighted to welcome one of our club’s most successful players, Wendi Henderson, into the coaching team.
Upper Hutt is going to be a great place to play football next year. The new season can’t come quickly enough!”
For further information, please contact:
Lorraine Bowring
Women’s and Girls Club Captain
Upper Hutt City Football
Email: lorraine@upperhuttcityfootball.org.nz
Cell: 021 1610951