The Guiding Force: Celebrating Inspiring Female Soccer Coaches

Australia's soccer landscape is vibrant, and a growing force on the sidelines is shaping its future: inspiring female coaches. More than instructors, they are mentors, role models, and architects of a girl's development, building skills and character. Their passion and unique connection with players are strengthening the game.

This Female Football Week, celebrate some inspiring Australian female soccer coaches, their journeys, philosophies, and profound influence they have had on players and the broader community. Their dedication cultivates teamwork, character, and a lifelong love for the sport, leaving lasting mark on Australia's football future. 

Meet Coach Lea Trimboli

Coach Lea is the kind of coach every girl deserves — passionate, inspiring, and driven by more than just results. With years of experience at both grassroots and state levels, Lea brings heart and perspective to every session.

Her coaching mantra?

“Dream, Believe, Create, Succeed.”

Because for Lea, success isn’t just about goals scored — it’s about helping each player find belief in herself, at her own pace, in her own way.

“Have fun. Run your own race. Be a good teammate and a coachable athlete… If you see something in your mind enough times, your body will do it one day.”

Her proudest moments aren’t just wins — they’re breakthroughs:
💬 A girl who thought she couldn’t master a skill, finally nailing it and giving Lea that quiet, knowing smile on the field.
💬 Coaching a player who once marked Katrina Gorry, earning her praise post-game — and still laughing about it years later.
💬 Supporting a player through mental health challenges, helping her return to football and make the FSA State Program.
💬 Watching her own daughter grow from a 4-year-old on the field to a state goalkeeper and now part of the Junior Matildas extended squad.

“Girls are sponges. They want to learn, understand, and they execute quickly. I love being someone they can relate to — someone who looks like them and believes in them.”

Thank you, Coach Lea, for shaping the game — and the girls — with so much care, belief, and love. 💖⚽

Meet Coaches Katie & Charli 💪⚽

Coaches like Katie and Charli are the quiet heroes of regional football — giving their time, heart, and energy to shape the next generation of players.

Together, they volunteer twice a week to coach their U12s representative team, dedicating 1.5 hours per session to training and development. But what makes their commitment even more remarkable?
They don’t have children on the team — they’re here purely because they love the game and believe in growing it for the girls coming through.

Even when tournaments and gala days mean 3+ hour road trips, Katie and Charli show up. No complaints. Just passion, support, and a belief in the players they lead.

“They are so passionate about football — and so motivated to coach and train the next generation.”

In every drill, every game plan, every road trip — they’re showing these girls what true dedication looks like.

Thank you Katie and Charli for leading with purpose and heart. You are shaping more than footballers — you’re building confident young women who believe in themselves. 💜

Meet Coach Christine Coppin

Christine Coppin is an accomplished educator, football coach, trainer, and assessor with over two decades of playing and coaching experience. Her career reflects a deep and unwavering passion for the game, particularly in championing the growth and success of women’s football in Australia.

In 2024, Christine's outstanding contribution to coaching was recognised with two prestigious accolades: the Football West Female Coach of the Year and the National CommBank Football Australia Female Coach of the Year. These honours underscore her technical expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence both on and off the field.
Christine is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Football Coaching and Analysis, a testament to her dedication to continuous professional development and her interest in the strategic, technical, and analytical aspects of the game. She thrives on the challenges football presents and is particularly passionate about helping female athletes reach their full potential in competitive environments.

In pursuit of her ambitions, Christine relocated to Melbourne in 2024 to further her coaching career. She now serves as the Assistant Coach for the South Melbourne NPLW team, which remains undefeated in the 2025 season—an achievement that speaks volumes about her impact and effectiveness in a high-performance setting.
Beyond her work with players, Christine is also committed to mentoring the next generation of female coaches, including those from other sporting codes. Her contributions continue to shape the broader landscape of women’s sport in Australia.
Christine dreams of one day observing elite teams such as the Matilda's or Women’s Super League clubs from behind the scenes—in the dressing room and coaches' box—gaining insights from the world’s top coaches. Her long-term goal is to secure a role in the A-League Women’s competition or with a professional club in Europe, Canada, or the United States as a coach, assistant coach, or analyst.

Driven, knowledgeable, and deeply invested in the growth of the game, Christine Coppins is a standout figure in Australian football with a bright future ahead.

Meet Coaches Lailah and Isla

Two junior coaches Lailah and Isla have taken on coaching at our local football club with one of the U6 teams this season. The girls plan their drills and sessions each week and help the little kids develop all the basic skills with the ball. They are caring and compassionate with the kids and are always instructing the kids at a level they can understand. 

They coach the team on game day, arranging substitutes and positions on the field. Throughout the game they observe the kids for sportsmanship, skill and development and at the end of the game they choose a player based on their performance and growth for a weekly award.