Vaughan Coveny and Michael Curcija recommit to Essendon Royals for Season 2023
Vaughan Coveny will continue in his role as Essendon Royals Head of Football for Season 2023.
The former New Zealand international has become a club favourite since arriving in 2019, doing a remarkable job of helping get the club’s Junior Boys NPL program up and running and overseeing a tremendously successful senior and junior program.
2022 proved just his second full season at the club, following the COVID19 interruptions of 2020 and 2021.
It was also the first full season completed by the club’s JBNPL program, with two teams competing in Division 1 and the progression of several Under-18 players into the club’s championship-winning Reserves team.
Aided by his Technical Director, Michael Curcija – who will also retain his role heading into 2023 – and the club’s Senior Men and Women coaching staff, Coveny has helped to oversee an incredible year of success at the club.
The club is also delighted to see Curcija remain at the club in his role as Technical Director, as he continues to take on the mammoth task of supporting over 50 coaches across the club’s Senior, JBNPL and Community football offerings.
Just as they did on the field in the National Soccer League, Coveny and Curcija continue to work hand-in-hand in a fantastic partnership that continues to deliver outstanding benefits to the Royals football community.
As well as seeing all four senior Men’s and Women’s teams at the club finish in the top two, earning promotion in their respective Senior divisions and Championships in their respective Reserves divisions, the Royals also saw over 20 boys selected for the TIDC and another five selected to represent Victoria at the National Youth Championships in Coff’s Harbour.
Coveny said he was excited to be continuing his work at the club.
“It’s been a great experience at the Essendon Royals, and I am excited to see what the future holds,” he said.
“With the Senior Men and Senior Women both moving up a division, I’m very confident that the work we are doing in the junior levels of our club across both boys and girls can now aspire to play a higher level of football at the Royals without having to leave for anything other than an A-League opportunity.”
Curcija – a former club Senior Men’s Coach – said he was happy to continue working with a club he’d grown a great affinity with over almost 10 years.
“The club has come a long way since I came here all those years ago as a Senior Coach,” he said.
“I’m proud to see the club continue to go from strength to strength and to see the continued growth of our junior programs, in particular our female program.
“With the club now offering Junior Super League as well as JBNPL football, we are offering a fantastic 12-month program for our players who are keen to improve.
“I’m looking forward to continuing the journey and helping the club, its coaches, and its players continue to make the Royals a fantastic place to be.”