Debut coaching season to remember for Marti Garces
It’s been a first season that dreams are made of for Marti Garces as he takes his Bulls FC Academy side into the National Premier leagues NSW Women’s Grand Final against APIA Leichhardt on Saturday afternoon at Jubilee Stadium.
Garces came into the job with the Bulls with some serious overhaul and change in 2025, losing key players like Jess Seaman (who will line up for APIA), Bella Volkanovski, Erica Di Sciascio and the retirement of captain and goalkeeper Trudy Simmons.
Starting fresh, Garces built a side that played fantastic football and after a somewhat slow start, were unstoppable for five months of the season.
“A season where our resilience has been tested, a season where we have grown with each other in driving standards, culture and mentality and a season where a unity has been forged amongst the team and entire club,” Garces said.
With the Premiership trophy ticked off, the Bulls enter Saturday looking to secure the double, a feat that only Macarthur Rams have been able to achieve over the last decade but Garces isn’t worried about that pressure.
“Our objective from our first day together was to strive to play entertaining football.
“Pressure is part of the industry we are in, it’s not for everyone, but it’s how we approach it. We have fun with it and are fortunate that we all found each other and formed this group that thrive to work on playing football that is enjoyable to play and hopefully watch.”
The Bulls coach is excited for what the final could bring and is thrilled his team has the opportunity to grow from the experience.
“It’s always, all about this team, being part of them is an opportunity that can’t be measured.
“It’s a young team and for most it’s their first experience and we will forever be bonded by the experience and achievements so far this season.”
The Bulls secured the Premiership on the final day of the season defeating APIA at Lambert Park, but Garces isn’t look into that game too much, with the grand final being another part of the season.
“This became a different phase of the competition for us in R24 (loss to Macarthur Rams) and we adjusted our mentality to prepare, so that continues.”
Garces has done his research and analysis of his opponents and comes into this game well prepared, acknowledging APIA’s experience from last season’s Grand Final defeat as a key asset for them in this match.
“Recent experience, they have nine players plus staff that were part of the final last year with some being together for longer.”
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-By Nikola Pozder
