Vince Battiato to coach Victoria at the Battle of the States

Essendon Royals’ senior women’s coach Vince Battiato has been appointed head coach of the Victorian representative side that will take on Queensland in the Battle of the States this September.

Battiato has received the honour after an incredible season with Essendon Royals in their first season in NPLW Victoria, which will see him coach a team of the best players in NPLW Victoria this season.

After guiding Royals to back-to-back promotions, Battiato has helped lead Essendon to a finals berth on the first time of asking, defeating fellow top four sides – FC Bulleen Lions, Preston Lions and Heidelberg United – throughout their run to finals football.

This was off the back of a record breaking 2023 in the Victoria Premier League Women’s where they won four trophies.

Royals’ intense and quick transitional brand of football has been a revelation in the NPLW this season with the consistent results speaking for themselves.

The Victorian NPLW All-Stars Head Coach job is a reward for not just a brilliant first season but three years of continual growth and success.

The 2024 version is to be held at Imperial Corp Stadium on Saturday, September 21 in Queensland, with a men’s and women’s side featuring the best players in NPL Victoria heading up north to face the top players in the Sunshine State.

South Melbourne’s Esteban Quintas will coach the Victorian men’s side.

The inaugaral event was held at the Home of the Matildas in Victoria last year, where Victoria swept Queensland with two wins from two games.