The Coburg Football Club wishes to advise club members and supporters of the news that inaugural Senior Women’s Coach Liam Cavanagh has stood down from the Senior Coach role due to the availability of a role at a higher level of Women’s football.
In late 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Liam was entrusted with the responsibility of building a Women’s football program from scratch and did a truly remarkable job given the circumstances and the strange time in history to be starting something new.
In 2021, the Women’s team took to the field for the first time and finished that shortened season with a 5 wins, 5 losses record under Cavanagh but the foundations were laid in strong fashion.
In 2022, the team was bolstered by some new players and also a Development (Reserves) team and went undefeated for the Home and Away season but lost the Grand Final by 1 point to Premiers Seaford. Although the loss was heartbreaking it’s testament to Liam’s coaching and character that the Lions took so much from that experience, lessons that will hold the team in great stead for the future.
Coburg CEO Sebastian Spagnuolo said of Cavanagh’s departure “Whilst this is definitely a sad moment for our club, we are also so excited for Liam who has a bright future in coaching and we wish him all the best for the future. Liam knows that he will always be welcome back to Coburg as the person that built our Women’s football program. Liam has built really strong foundations for our Women’s program and no doubt has left a legacy at Coburg. We also want to acknowledge the support and contribution of Louisa, Liam’s wife who has been here at Coburg from the start of Liam’s journey. Via his work with Coburg, Liam has earned himself an opportunity at a higher level of football and leaves with our blessing.”
Upon making the decision to stand down from the Senior Coach role, Cavanagh said “This has been an incredibly hard decision to come to terms with, I have loved every second of my role at Coburg from the moment I was appointed and I am so very grateful to have been able to develop my coaching skills at a club that is so very invested in the people within its four-walls. Our 3 key pillars at this club are; Lead, Unite & Leave a Legacy. I have been lucky enough to be the leader of this group, I have seen over 50 players unite to create such a special culture and I firmly believe that the foundations of the last two years are the beginning of a legacy that will be the platform for years of success ahead. I would like to thank every Player, Coach & Staff member who has been willing to be led by me over the past two years, I have felt their unwavering trust and support all the way through – and that is a privilege I will always cherish. Finally, I would like to thank my wife for undying support, there is no way that I could do this role justice without her in my corner.”
Whilst there will be interest in knowing where Liam is headed next, Coburg is respectful that that announcement should be made by Liam and his new club when appropriate to do so.
In terms of the Women’s Senior Coach role at Coburg, the club will be making an announcement in the coming days.
Coburg FC will be providing Women’s team list management updates throughout the off-season so lookout on social media and on the club website for those.
