Playing to Lead: Tanya Oxtoby

Former Perth Glory skipper Tanya Oxtoby, who played for Doncaster Rovers Belles, managed Nottingham Forest Ladies and coached Notts County reserves before returning to Australia as Perth Glory’s assistant coach, reflects on coaching on two continents. Starting her badges while still playing helped both her football and her life after it, she says, though she doubts anyone can play and coach at full potential simultaneously. She names Alistair Edwards as the mentor who gave her belief, and identifies venue and pitch availability as the practical difference between the two countries, with British sessions often squeezed onto 3G at short notice. Her time in England was an eye-opener as to how professional the women’s game has become. Her own project, Tanya Oxtoby Football Coaching, spans grassroots to elite and specialises in Aboriginal role model work.