Coach loves the game
Highfields mentor voted our best coach
The reason Stef Hlaca became a football coach is the same reason many adults take up the role.
Hlaca joined Highfields FC because his children were keen players and he wanted to be part of their journey.
The reason Hlaca, who recently topped the voting in The
Chronicle’s Best Junior Soccer Coach poll, has stayed with the club goes well beyond the joy of being part of his children’s football journey.
“I started coaching when my son starting playing and then my daughters joined the club,” Hlaca said.
“I have always believed that if you have knowledge or skills in a particular area it is important that you share them.
“I don’t coach for the accolades or the awards; I coach because I enjoy it and I feel that it (sport) can make a difference in the lives of young children.”
Following a stint with the South West Queensland Thunder – when his daughters played for the NPL club – Hlaca returned to Highfields, taking up a role that has evolved over the past few years.
“Over the years my role within the club has grown and changed and I’ve always enjoyed it,” he said.
“I spent some time with the South West Queensland Thunder when my daughters were playing for them.
“When I went back to Highfields I realised there was significant gap between local
football clubs and the Thunder.
“The club worked on closing that gap and last year we created our academy.
“The idea behind it is to provide more training and skill development for our more mature players who can’t necessarily commit to something like the Thunder but want to better themselves as a player.
“Earlier this year we (Highfields FC) created a program we called the Matildaettes – a free program to introduce more girls to football.
“It’s been a massive success and something we are proud of.
“We’re hoping to grow the program next year and have the backing of Football Queensland.”
BEST OF SPORT: The Chronicle’s Best of Sport is a series dedicated to shining a spotlight on players, coaches and volunteers who are passionate and dedicated to the game they love. Reader votes, via an online poll, determine who is named the Best of Sport.