Melbourne City FC were recently granted a license from Football Federation Australia to enter a team into the W-League for 2015/2016 season.
The club has appointed Joe (Pepe) Montemurro to inaugural head coach in 2015/2016, who is well known to the football community in Victoria, having previously coached Melbourne Victory to a semi-final in 2015 and administering the NTC female development squad.
He is currently also working at City, coaching the club’s NPL Victoria team.
Montemurro is well credentialed and will set about stamping his style and culture over the Melbourne City FC women’s team, the W-League’s most recent inclusion based at the City Football Academy in Bundoora, where it will train on the Club’s Academy Pitches located at La Trobe University.
Given the financial uncertainty surrounding Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar, the FFA’s move to allow Melbourne City enter the league will assist with consolidation and stability for both men’s and women’s leagues in the year ahead.
The Whole of Football Plan’s vision could be in danger of not achieving its targets if clubs are not financially stable in the future, however Melbourne City FC certainly does not have this issue to deal with being one of the richest and well-managed groups globally.
With the W-League commencing in September this year, Montemurro will take the reins at the conclusion of the NPL season, but will commence the recruitment process immediately to assemble a squad ahead of the W-League season.
With many unanswered questions surrounding the emergence of Melbourne City into the W-League, Stocky’s Scribbles caught up with Montemurro to better understand what his aspirations are, the recruitment process he will undertake, and the goals set out for the inaugural coach in 2015/2016.
SS: Wonderful news about a second W League Team in Melbourne for the upcoming season. Was this always the plan coming over from Victory?
Joe Montemurro (JM): When I applied for the position at City, there was talk about the W-league side but nothing was concrete. It has always been the club’s ambition to develop a women’s team, but my main focus was, in the first instance, on my duties with the club’s National Premier Leagues teams. Now, as part of dual responsibilities across the men’s development and W-League, I will have two areas of focus.
SS: As the ex-Victory coach, are you likely to bring across players and is there any chance some of the local talent will be given an opportunity to be in the roster as CEO Scott Munn mentioned?
JM: We are currently without a squad at the moment so the player recruitment process is underway. As part of that process we will look to identify and harness potential local talent here in Victoria, and give local girls an opportunity.
SS: On the local talent issue, are you intending to watch some of the local talent in action at the Sportsmart WPL games and if so, what are your thoughts on this league today and its standard as a breeding ground?
JM: I have already been out looking and identifying in the WPL. The league is certainly progressing forward and what I like is the opportunities given to younger players. It’s not uncommon to have a 15 or 16 year old playing senior football. I commend all the WPL coaches for supporting young talent. I do believe that it is a good foundation league for developing potential talent.
SS: I would assume that City will field a female team in new WNPL competition next year as an academy team? Is this in the plan? You always suggested there was a real gap from NTC to W League.
JM: The focus is building a competitive squad for the W-League in our first year. The WNPL would be ideal for the ongoing development and perfect for the identified gap from elite player pathway to W-League. Until we know the model of the WNPL we can’t really forecast where we fit in.
SS: With time moving quickly and you needing to create a squad, is there likely to be a trailing process and if so where and when? Will it be invitation only?
JM: The club will be looking to release this information in the near future as we are planning our schedule as we speak.
SS: Seems Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets are in financial distress and the FFA may need to step in. City could simply build an entire team by taking Queenslanders or NSW players? Is this a possibility?
JM: No – I’m more interested in creating our own identity and playing style.
SS: Now that you have been at the City Group for some months, how have you integrated and what are the major positives for you from the move and the City culture?
JM: The move has been great as I’m challenged as a coach consistently, exposed to a wealth of knowledge and innovations. Standards are high and the constant desire to be better is what I really enjoy about the City environment. I’m surrounded by fantastic work colleagues who have made me feel welcome from day one.
SS: The new facilities are world class and on the La Trobe campus so I assume the women will be training at these facilities. Is La Trobe University looking to combine with Melbourne City to have any female scholarships like those in the USA college system?
JM: The W-League side will be treated as a professional team. There should be no distinction between the A-League or W-League sides, both are professional and deserve to be treated in that manner. This is an integral part of the ethos of the City Football Group’s vision. The link with La Trobe is important and ideally it would be great to bring together academic and elite sport arenas. I can really see this happening in our development pathway programs.
SS: Seems the FFA whole of football plan has a big expectations from women’s football. What do you see as critical to growing the sport here in Victoria?
JM: It is important to recognise the significant contribution women footballers have made to the sport. Opportunities to harness and develop young players is critical. Keeping them in the game in the important years from junior to senior football is the identified gap that needs to be bridged – as they will be potential coaches and managers.
SS: The Matildas final 23 squad announcement caused some real conjecture around the exclusions? As a coach, do you think the process undertaken was fair, especially on Brianna Davey?
JM: Difficult decisions are part of coaching and it is difficult to comment on selections as I’m not privy to the information that has made the decision. Knowing Brianna, she will work harder and make sure that she becomes the best – that’s the challenge for her which I know she can achieve.
SS: And finally, what is your expectation from the inaugural year in the W League? Are you just simply looking to take the cup in the first year or is this a multi-year plan?
JM: Build the foundations in the first year for ongoing success, both with results and player development. Exciting times ahead.