OUTGOING Football Wagga development officer Liam Dedini believes the Wagga City Wanderers can push for a spot in the top tier league in the near future after accepting a post with Football NSW.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dedini, 23, will start with the Sydney-based Football NSW Institute in January after helping coach the Wanderers' under-20 team to the National Premier League Two ACT premiership this year.
His main role will be as goalkeeper coach for the girls program, but will also be involved in school programs and running coaching courses.
Dave Leonard has been promoted from under-20s assistant coach to the top job, with Dedini's replacement as development officer yet to be announced.
"The last few weeks I've gone up and worked with the future Matildas and being in that national environment was amazing," Dedini said.
"In the end, players want to play at the highest level they can and it's the same with coaches.
"Being in Sydney is definitely going to give me those opportunities and there's a good network up there. It will be a good challenge."
The Wanderers' first grade men's side narrowly missed finals in their maiden Canberra campaign this year, and Dedini said breaking into the NPL1 will be a major short term goal.
The club's under-18 side also won the title in a positive sign of the talent coming through.
"Whether it's this year or a year or two away those boys will be pushing for first grade and the main goal is to get the club into NPL1," Dedini said.
"The 18s and 20s have proven they're successful and first grade weren't all that far off."
The Wanderers announced last week that Michael Babic, who guided Lake Albert to the Pascoe Cup premiership in 2016, will take over from Ross Morgan as first grade men's coach after he stood down due to family commitments.
The Wanderers won a handful of gongs at Capital Football's awards night last week with Jacob Ochieng (under 20s) and Megan Castle (under 17s) winning golden boot awards, while Ashleigh Carty won the under-13 competition's player of the year.
READ MORE