Sunshine Coast FC Fire 2013-14 Captain Paul Arnison has been appointed as the Club’s First Team Coach ahead of the 2015 season.
A former professional player, Arnison started his football career at English Premier League Club Newcastle United, before signing with Division Two Club Hartlepool for three years followed by Carlisle United, Bradford City and Darlington.
The defensive midfielder joined the Fire in 2013 as a First Team player and coach of the Under 18 Boys team. Arnison was instrumental in the Fire’s 2013 and 2014 NPL campaigns both as a player and as a mentor for the younger players; and coached his Under 18 Boys teams to a Premiership in 2013 and fourth place in 2014.
Sunshine Coast FC Managing Director Noel Woodall said he was pleased to appoint Arnison as First Team coach in line with the Club’s commitment to educating and developing talented, younger coaches.
“We as a Club are dedicated to developing and advancing our coaches, and I believe Paul is an ideal candidate to step into the role of First Team Coach. Paul will also be able to draw on Technical Director Melvyn Wilkes’ experience as a former FA coach educator and youth coach at West Bromwich Albion Football Club, Manchester City Youth Academy and Nottingham Forest Youth Academy as he steps into this role,” Woodall said.
“There were a number of other candidates, however I believe Paul’s experience in the UK and Australia and his rapport with the players, together with Melvyn’s assistance, will stand our First Team in good stead for the 2015 season,” he said.
Arnison said he was delighted to be given the opportunity to coach the First Team and take the next step in his coaching career.
“To be a coach of any NPL team is fantastic. I am hoping I can bring some of my experience playing as a professional in England, and what I have learnt from coaches and managers over there to Sunshine Coast FC and bring in a few more players to build on what we achieved last season with a relatively young squad,” Arnison said.
“I am excited to be coaching at NPL level, the standard of the competition is high and I am preparing to face strong teams and coaches. It will certainly be a test but one I am looking forward to.”
