Oxtoby inspires players to achieve higher honours

Footballers across all six Mid West Soccer Association senior ladies teams were given a rare opportunity to receive tips from one of regional WA’s pioneers of the world game recently.

The ladies were put through their paces by Tanya Oxtoby, a current AFC A licence coach, who is originally from the Pilbara town of Wickham.

Along with being the first indigenous captain of a W-League team, Oxtoby is the University of Nottingham’s head of women’s football/futsal, along with holding an assistant coaching position with Birmingham City’s ladies team.

Saints FC head coach Mark Gray said the visit was very significant for the region. “It was great to see Football West and GSAC organise a high-profile player and coach in Tanya to visit a regional centre like Geraldton,” he said.

“A lot of times it is normally targeting males where this one solely targeted the female playing fraternity.

“The feedback from all the participants was fantastic and they were very happy with the sessions.”

Oxtoby also attended Allendale and Beachlands primary schools during her time in Geraldton, where she facilitated skills-based clinics.