Montmorency Youth Girls coach Celia Piesse and Eltham under-17s coach Paul Reid have both been announced as finalists in the AFCA Victoria Coach of the Year awards.
Piesse (pictured, right) is one of four coaches nominated for the Female Coach of the Year award, while Reid is nominated for the Youth Coach of the Year.
The duo will attend the AFCA Victoria Coach of the Year gala awards dinner to be held at the MCG on Friday, November 8.
The nomination is a fantastic achievement for Piesse in only her second year of coaching.
She has been an outstanding leader of Montmorency’s very successful female football program and this form of recognition is very well deserved.
Piesse has been one of the driving forces behind the program and has acted as the coaching leader and mentor for the other two coaches in the Montmorency female program.
She has also been an outstanding supporter and force behind the entire NFL female program, building great rapport and respect throughout the League in pursuit of supporting female football.
Piesse moved into coaching after a very decorated playing career, which included playing state representative football in two different states.
Reid (pictured, below right) had a hugely successful year as coach of the Eltham under-17s, with the team winning the Under-17 Blue premiership on the back of an undefeated season.
Prior to the season commencing, Reid tailored a pre-season program for individual players, enabling each player to train specific areas where they most needed improvement.
Reid utilises various game-plans depending on opponent, conditions, ground size and other factors.
He is a mentor to coaches within the Eltham Junior Football Club and regularly empowers his assistant coaches.
Importantly, Reid ensures his players priorities schooling and family ahead of football, with many of his players also committed to their VCE studies.
Good luck to both Celia and Paul as they head off to the home of football for the big event.
