Tessa Curtain is the first ever Ballarat City women’s head coach.
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Curtain, a well known name within the region’s female soccer ranks, has been appointed to the role on a two-year agreement.
The 26-year-old will serve in a non-playing capacity given her past history of knee problems and is excited by the opportunity that awaits.
“I am ready for the challenge of my first senior role and look forward to seeing the team be successful throughout the season,” Curtain told The Courier.
Curtain has played many years of top level soccer with the Ballarat Lady Devils and Ballarat Eureka Strikers, which have just recently merged with Ballarat City for 2019 and beyond.
In early December, Strikers members voted strongly to support the amalgamation, with 39 in favour compared to two against.
The club’s top women’s side will continue playing in Football Victoria’s state league two, while the senior men and junior boys squads will battle it out in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 competition. The other open-age and junior female teams are set to compete in the local Ballarat and District Soccer Association.
“It is an exciting time for football in Ballarat following the recent merge between the Ballarat Eureka Strikers and Ballarat City FC,” Curtain said.
“The club’s advanced resources will provide me with many great opportunities to enhance my skills and develop further as a coach.”
Ballarat City chairman Daniel Firth said Curtain was a great example of the coaching talent within the region.
“We are delighted to provide her with an opportunity to further her development and support her along the coaching pathway,” Firth said in a statement on the club’s Facebook page.
Adam Vranesic was the head coach at Ballarat Eureka Strikers last year, but stood down following a 2018 season that saw the senior team finish fourth on the Football Victoria women’s state league two north-west table.
That campaign returned nine wins from 18 matches.
Curtain will work closely with James Robinson, who has recently returned to Ballarat City as its director of coaching.
Robinson, who is a former A-League player, is back at City after a stint as Brisbane Roar’s youth coach.
State league women’s fixtures have not yet been released, but Ballarat City’s senior men’s side is set to kick off its campaign on February 17.
City has been booked to take on Melbourne Victory at Epping Stadium.
Ballarat City finished the 2018 NPLV2 west season in ninth spot, just four points clear of bottom team Sunshine George Cross.