FFA welcomes new coaching staff to Westfield Matildas set-up

Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced that Ivan Jolic has been appointed as an Assistant Coach to Ante Milicic with the Westfield Matildas through to the completion of the team’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, while long-serving FFA Goalkeeping Coach John Gorza will join the team’s coaching staff for the inaugural Cup of Nations to be held over the coming weeks.

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Jolic, who is a former Assistant Coach with both Melbourne City FC and Central Coast Mariners FC in the Hyundai A-League, recently served as Milicic’s Assistant with the Young Socceroos.

Jolic holds an FFA/AFC ‘A’ Licence and will join Gary van Egmond and Mel Andreatta in assisting Milicic to prepare the Westfield Matildas in the lead up to, and throughout, their forthcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign.

“I have worked closely with Ivan [Jolic] recently and his great knowledge of Australia’s national team space will ensure an easy transition for him into the Westfield Matildas,” Milicic said. 

“The knowledge that Gary [van Egmond], Mel [Andreatta], and the other staff members are already sharing with me is fantastic, and I believe Ivan’s expertise will only add to our coaching team. 

“Ivan is an encyclopedia when it comes to Australian football and also understands the way I like to work, which I believe will be an asset as we progress quickly towards France,” he said.

Gorza has been involved with various men’s and women’s Australian national teams over the past 12 years, including the Westfield Matildas, Westfield Young Matildas, Westfield Junior Matildas, and Young Socceroos. The Queensland-based coach will initially link with the squad for the inaugural Cup of Nations.

“John [Gorza] has been involved with many national teams over many years and has great experience,” Milicic added. “We are pleased to welcome John to the staff for the Cup of Nations and trust that he will provide great guidance to the goalkeepers that are selected in our squad.”