SOCCER – LVSL – STAFF WRITERS
DYNAMIC father-daughter coaching duo, Nathan and Chloe Martin, hope to propel Traralgon Olympians Soccer Club into a new era.
Nathan, an experienced coach, returns to his roots as the Senior Men’s coach, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion, with a commitment to cultivating a winning mentality and developing young players.
His association with Olympians dates back to 1990 as a junior, playing until 2005 before contributing to junior coaching and playing at a senior level in Cairns.
This experience has not only broadened his understanding of the game but also solidified his dedication to the development of young athletes, making him a cornerstone for Olympians’ youth-focused strategy.
Speaking about his vision for the club, Nathan said he’s keen to set Olympians up for a successful future and “that starts with the kids”.
“We want to create an environment where fathers, daughters and sons play here and together. We want to create a generational club,” he said.
“I remember from my days in juniors being mentored by a lot of good players at Olympians. We want this to continue. With all the dads I played with, they now have kids, and we want those kids back playing and the dads here watching. They can help us bring some consistent success back to the club.”
Chloe, appointed as the Senior Women’s coach, echoes her father’s excitement – highlighting Olympians’ supportive atmosphere.
“The club would show up and encourage us and provide feedback. Always giving extra coaching, the club was getting behind us. It’s a supportive club and it encourages you to keep coming back,” she said.
“My goal is to get the women on the pitch. We’ve had a couple of misses with the women’s team over the past couple of years. I want to help them learn the game and improve their football.”
Expressing her enthusiasm for the team’s potential, Chloe said she’s excited for the team’s future by what she’s observed at early training sessions.
The changing of the guard doesn’t stop there, with Dion Mallia taking on the reserves coaching role.
Dion’s playing career started with Morwell Pegasus, representing the club at junior level right through to seniors, where he was a part of a successful period for the club.
He later became a senior player at Olympians and was then joined by his two sons in the junior ranks.
He then transitioned into coaching, leading successful Olympians junior teams, followed by stints coaching junior LVSL squads and most recently assisting the Under 14s at Gippsland United Football Club.
“Olympians is a very close-knit club where everyone looks out for each other; most of our kids play here. It’s a family-orientated environment,” Dion said.
“Veterans mentor younger players and help them improve or even transition to seniors. All I can ask is that they play to their best ability and get the best out of themselves.
“If you’re looking for a good learning environment and a family-friendly club that looks after its people, then Olympians is a great place to grow and enjoy the game you love playing.”
New club president Spiro Marcou expressed enthusiasm about the coaching coup.
“Nathan, Chloe and Dion embody the spirit of dedication and excellence we envision for Traralgon Olympians,” he said.
Their combined experience, passion, and commitment to youth development align perfectly with our goals for the future.”
