EMMA PICKS UP MASSIVE AWARD
EMMA Zaymund beat nominees from all other state and territories to claim the FFA women’s coach of the year award at the female football breakfast in Melbourne last week.
The Casuarina Rowdies junior mentor claimed the prize for her work as program co-ordinator for Football Federation Northern Territory’s MiniRoos all girls program, which is conducted at Territory clubs and schools for players aged five to 11.
Zaymund, who began playing football as a nine-year-old at her current club, has featured in numerous senior teams and international tournaments, and uses all that experience in her coaching techniques.
A member of the Women and Girls Advisory Commit- tee, Zaymund said she was shocked to receive the award, but also honoured.
“I was initially told I had won an award but didn’t think much of it, I thought it was just for the NT and didn’t give it too much thought because I was rushing around,” she said.
“But that afternoon it kind of clicked that it was a bit more than that and it felt special.”
Zaymund said she based her training programs on simple games, but that she used imagination and creativity to make them fun.
“They are similar to games that the girls are already playing at school but when we introduce a ball in there it is magic,” she said.
“My background in early childhood education has helped and made the program fun and energetic — the kids really like my sessions.”
Zaymund said the smiles on the girls’ faces were priceless and spur her to coach, nurture and guide further into the future.
“I play and coach football so that other female footballers get the opportunities available to them, opportunities I never had,” she said.
“I want women, ladies, girls, mothers, sisters, aunties and grandmothers to know that there is a place for them in the beautiful game and that their future is bright.”