For the first time in his 30 year coaching career, Football Mid North Coast (FMNC) Women's Premier League (WPL) under 14s girls coach Brenton Doyle will take a team overseas.
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Brenton was named coach of the regional NSW side that will play in the FIFA Fiji Cup between November 30 and December 7.
He was headhunted for the side after showcasing his coaching prowess in the Newcastle based girls competition.
"Someone took notice of me coaching there and asked if I would take a regional 14s girls side to Fiji," Brenton said.
"They saw that I was good with the girls so it's pretty exciting to head over."
The side will feature players from across NSW. Three girls from the FMNC WPL side, Jorja Holborow, Emilee Franklin and Chelsea Hackenberg, will join Brenton in Fiji. A training session will be held in Menai next month as a mutual location for all players.
Brenton said he will focus on team management and ensuring the girls enjoy the experience.
"My focus will be on how the girls play together and have fun," Brenton explained.
"They don't need to be world-beaters, if they can learn something about themselves and football I'll be happy.
"It would be great if we get a result but I just want them to be able to grow and learn about the game that I love."
Humidity will play a factor.
"It's going to be pretty hot over there at that time," Brenton said.
"We will have to learn to manage that."
In the meantime, the side will look to collect donations to take over to Fiji. These will be handed out among underprivileged villages.
This will be the 10th year of the Fiji Cup. The event involves boys and girls sides of all ages.
"It's used by FFA to trial different rules they might want to use in the larger competitions," Brenton said.
Brenton has enjoyed a successful coaching career with the under 14s WPL side.
In August, the side won the Premier's Plate for a second successive year.
On the back of their all-round performance, where they netted 87 goals and conceded 14, there's no reason why they wouldn't be a threat to claim a third straight title in 2020.
The side constantly plays and trains in Taree before heading down to Newcastle to face Hunter sides.
"That's a big ask for the kids and their parents to commit to that training and travel," he said.
Brenton has enjoyed watching the growth of the women's game. "I've seen so many girls grow into confident people," he said. "I'm also a huge supporter of all girls and boys playing team sport."
