Our team of dedicated coaches enables us to encourage each player to develop and to strive to be the best they can, no matter their skill level.
WOMEN’S SENIOR COACH: Mitch Dupljanin
WOMEN’S RESERVES COACH: Eliza Tivendale
WOMEN’S THIRDS COACH: Penny Heath
2022 WOMEN’S SENIOR COACH: MITCH DUPLJANIN
The St Mary’s Salesian Committee is delighted to announce that we have appointed Mitch Dupljanin as our Women’s Senior Coach for season 2022.
Mitch brings a wealth of football and coaching experience to our women’s program. He was the senior women’s coach at Caulfield Grammarians Football Club from 2019-2021. He was a Premiership winning coach and Coach of the Year in Women’s Premier B in 2019, and then coached Caulfield into their first preliminary final at Premier A level in 2021.
Mitch played 116 games at Eely Park FC and began his coaching journey in 2018 at Aquinas OCFC as Head Coach of their Inaugural Women’s team.
“I’m looking forward to helping St Marys Salesian get back to the top end of the competition once again.” Mitch said upon his appointment. “We have a proud and passionate playing group who are hungry for success and are looking towards 2022 with great excitement to begin that journey upwards. I look forward to getting to know the playing group over the off season as the work begins to prepare for next season.
WOMEN’S RESERVES COACH: ELIZA TIVENDALE
WOMEN’S THIRDS COACH: PENNY HEATH
Club President Greg Baum said “We are proud to be providing coaching opportunities for women as they come out of playing. Eliza and Penny are exceptionally talented, dedicated and highly respected women who are wonderful contributors to the life of our football club. Coupled with the recent appointment of our new Women’s Senior Coach, Mitch Dupljanin, our women’s program is in great hands, and we can’t wait to see what 2022 brings!”
ELIZA TIVENDALE: Eliza came to the club from a water-polo and swimming background, and played in our inaugural reserves side in 2017-2018. “I was honored to captain the reserves side in 2018, before a pesky stress-fractured back forced me into early retirement. To go from a player to a coach seemed a natural transition and has allowed me to stay connected to the players and the club.”
Tiv was appointed Reserves coach in 2020 and has guided the team through two challenging COVID interrupted seasons. “While last year was a bit disappointing on the scoreboard, working with the girls was an absolute highlight. Not only did every individual improve, but the team improved out of sight! I love being a part of a team and I love watching people adapt and improve.”
PENNY HEATH: Penny has played five seasons of football at St Mary’s Salesian, and now her coaching journey begins. “Playing football at St Mary’s Salesian has enhanced my love of the game. I love being a part of such an inclusive club culture and stretching myself to try new things. Teamwork and having fun is central to developing great footy skills and fitness. I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for game, team and club with our emerging players as coach of our women’s thirds squad.”
Penny is taking a year away from playing to rehab her knee injury and in typical Penny style, she reminds us that her playing days may not yet be over. What we do know is that she will bring her trademark enthusiasm, commitment and care for each and every player to her coaching role with the women’s thirds this season.