Coach Gauci ready to finish off strongly with NWS Spirit FC

Tiana Gauci will be one of the youngest head coaches in the dugout this week when she leads her NWS Spirit. 

Taking over the helm from Adam Keramea, Gauci has already overseen a change of fortunes for the Christie Park based side.

At only 31, the young coach has a big task ahead of her, to awaken a sleeping giant of the women’s game and bring them finals football which they haven’t been involved in for a number of years.

“Being named as head coach of NWS Spirit is something that makes me feel proud and excited. NWS Spirit is an inclusive club with a proud and long history in the Women’s game,” said Gauci.

“I feel a sense of pride that I have been given the backing to help bring the NWS Spirit club vision to life as well as grateful that I can help to build on the existing club culture. I feel excited to be able to bring my range of experience and knowledge that I have gained through working in the youth-senior space through the different leagues in NSW to the A-League.”

NWS Spirit saw the amalgamation of both men’s and women’s programs during the off season and it has helped with the development of not just players but coaches also, making for an exciting future in Sydney’s North West.

“The club right from the SAP/Youth league level through to the senior of both the men and women’s all work collaboratively which is super exciting and inclusive. Not only that, the development of Christie Park and the future/holistic vision of Spirit makes it an exciting place to be able to put my football philosophies into practice.”

The remainder of 2022 seems a season of consolidating for Spirit with the pressure being removed off Gauci’s shoulders.

“No pressure, the club is immensely supportive which makes it easy to be excited about the future. From the minute I have arrived at the club in my previous role as reserve grade head coach to now the focus has been on player and coach development.”

Coming into the second half of the NPL NSW Women’s season, Gauci will use this time to seed her philosophy into the current crop of players.

“The senior playing group are a very proud, competitive, and exciting group to lead who want to come out every week and be the best that they can be. For the rest of season Spirit are aiming to be competitive in all matches and play style of football has a strong identity that we can build on and continue to grow in 2023.”

Gauci has been coaching for 10 years now, starting off in her early 20s. She spent the last few seasons as Reserve Grade Head Coach at Sydney University (winning everything) and at NWS Spirit before her transition into the first grade Head Coach.

“Being a Reserve Grade Head Coach for two and a half years has probably helped me develop more tactical and senior player management skills.

“However, I believe it is extremely important to gain different experiences to be the best version of yourself no matter what position you are in.

Being a coach that has worked through the different leagues from State League through to NPL NSW Women’s and then Youth to Seniors, all of these groups have given me something as a coach that I can learn from and take to the next group and haven’t particularly been more important than the other.

“As a coach you can learn and make improvements from the players just as they do with you.”

Gauci has been fortunate enough to have worked closely with some fine mentors who have helped her develop to the stage of her career where she is now.

“So many people from when I have played to coaching have all had some form of influence on me. In particular, my coaches when I was in a youth league space playing gave me the passion and drive to be involved in football for a long time. Then the coaches you work with each week as support staff and the ones you coach against all influence you to grow.”

Gauci even spent the 2021-22 season as Liberty A-League Assistant Coach at the Perth Glory with Alex Epakis who she had worked previously with at Sydney University and an integral part of helping shape her coaching career.

“I had the chance to work with a great mentor early in my coaching career – Matthew Shepherd, who showed me the positive influence coaches can have on player improvement and performance. Recently I have had the opportunity to work closely with Alex Epakis at SUSFC and Perth Glory. He is a great mentor about all aspects of the game which I am grateful for.”

Still only 31, Gauci has a long and hopefully prosperous career ahead of her.

“I enjoyed my time working in the A-League and it gave me the drive to be involved in football in a professional capacity, when the timing is right. At the moment the only aim and focus is on being a positive influence on the players at Spirit and helping them and the group be the best they can be.”

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder