Carmelina’s Way
Excerpts of the following story by Steph Fairbairn are courtesy of the latest issue of Women’s Soccer Coaching Magazine: https://www.womenssoccercoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Issue-008-Jul-2021.pdf.
Ex-Canada star CARMELINA MOSCATO is back in coaching again after a nomadic post-retirement life. STEPH FAIRBAIRN catches up with her to discuss her philosophy and how coaches can seize control of their career
“I’ve been playing musical chairs since I retired”. Former Canada defender Carmelina Moscato – capped 94 times by her country and a veteran of three World Cups and an Olympic Games – is speaking honestly about her career since she hung up her boots. In six short years, she has been talent manager for Canada Soccer, commissioner for League 1 Ontario and director of women’s football for the Bahamas FA.
Now Moscato, a UEFA A licenced coach, has taken over as head coach of Danish club Nordsjaelland, a move she describes as “circling back to my roots”.
The musical chairs really began during a nomadic playing career, with spells at clubs in Italy, Sweden, the USA and Australia punctuated by three retirements – during which, Moscato filled her time with coaching.
It is this rich tapestry of a career that has informed Moscato’s coaching philosophy, one of the most important foundation blocks for every good coach – from grassroots to the highest echelons of the game.
Her philosophy is centered around one thing: people. And she is keen to incorporate her players and colleagues into her culture building. “Connect with the person first. It just goes such a long way,” she told Women’s Soccer Coaching.
“Environment is everything. A good person showing up to a toxic environment could be turned toxic. It’s about co-creating an environment that people want to be part of.
“If I go into a role, I’m asking what the players expect from me. I’m asking the questions that people don’t really ask, like ‘what do you need from me to maximize your potential?’
“Are you checking in with most players on most days? Can they approach you…?”
“Then, it’s about having structure and a routine that makes players better every week, with your staff designing the right sessions based on the themes. “But behind the scenes is where the work is done. Are you having the informal chats? Are you checking in with most players on most days, or even all players on all days as a maximum goal? Do they feel they can come and approach you?
For the rest of the story by Steph Fairbairn, please go to the July 2021 issue 007 of Women’s Soccer Coaching found at https://www.womenssoccercoaching.com/ and subscribe.
About Women’s Soccer Coaching Magazine
Women’s Soccer Coaching website: https://www.womenssoccercoaching.com/ and monthly digital magazine offers proven, easy to use soccer drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided
games, warm-ups, training tips and advice. The resources are created for the grassroots youth coach following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game, with features highlighting female soccer coaches from around the world.