Mick Ferrante signs on for 2023
Essendon Royals are delighted to confirm the reappointment of Mick Ferrante as Senior Men’s Coach for Season 2023.
Having stepped into the role on short notice in 2022, Ferrante successfully guided the Royals to second place in the Men’s State League 1 North-West division, earning promotion into NPL3 ahead of the 2023 season.
Ferrante is a former Royals junior and Senior Men’s captain, having returned to the club in 2019 to see out his playing days.
After leaving the Royals as a junior, Ferrante enjoyed a magnificent career as a player, going on to win an FA Youth Cup with West Ham United, where he played with the likes of Michael Carrick and Socceroos great Richie Garcia.
He represented Australia at under-17 and under-20 levels, as well as playing in Italy with Serie C outfit Benevento before heading back to Australia and forming a part of the inaugural Melbourne Victory squad, forming part of their 2006-07 championship-winning side.
He also played for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League, before an incredible career in the Victorian leagues.
Having taken on the Royals Senior Coaching role in the days prior to the club’s first competitive game of 2022 – a third-round Australia Cup qualifier against Caroline Springs George Cross – Ferrante took to the role incredibly well given the short notice and enjoyed a remarkable first season in the top job.
Ferrante boasts a win percentage of 69%, having overseen 18 wins across 26 league and cup games in 2022, losing just three games all season.
Finishing the league season with 50 goals and just 18 conceded – the equal best defensive record in the league – Ferrante is now eagerly anticipating the next step in his coaching journey as he prepares for new tests in NPL3.
“It’s an exciting time at the Royals and I’m very happy to be able to continue as head coach for Season 2023,” he said.
“NPL3 will be a different challenge to last season. It’s a statewide competition, so we’re not just playing around our own backyard anymore, and we’re going to be going up against some very good teams.
“State League 1 was physically tough, but we expect a different type of challenge in 2023.”
Ferrante said that the club’s cup run, which saw the Royals knock out NPL2 outfit Brunswick Juventus and push NPL Victoria club Avondale FC, demonstrated that the team was ready for the step up.
“It’s a big club and one that’s probably bigger than where we’ve been playing,” he said.
“We had to work hard to earn the right to move up, but I’m confident in the club and the group we have that we can make the step up to NPL3.
“There’s a hunger and passion from the players to have a real go and try and keep that momentum from last season going.
“We’re all just excited to get stuck into pre-season over the next few months and get ourselves into shape for what should be a big season.”
Alongside Ferrante will be his returning assistant coach, Davey Van’t Schip, and strength-and-conditioning coach, Juan Toro.
