The best coaches of amateur teams are able to uphold exacting standards during training and on match day, while exhibiting large doses of kindness and understanding in their approach and attitude, given the varied backgrounds of their players.
Here is an outside observer’s tribute to the three #SGWPL Coach of the Year nominees.
Sivaraj Geevananthan (Hougang United WT)
“[If we want to] go top three, [we] got to take the points from the top three teams.”
– Coach Siva (20 July 2024)
Across (at least) the last two seasons, Coach Siva understood the assignment when it came to playing against overwhelmingly well-resourced teams: defend as one cohesive, compact unit.
Early in the 2025 campaign, HUWT did just that for the full 90 minutes, winning a point off LCSWT with a 0-0 draw — an improvement on their 2024 performance lasting almost 70 minutes before conceding a goal. ALBWT might not have won the title without this result.
How does Coach Siva get his players to buy into the all consuming game plan? That’s why he is paid the big $$$.
Jeremy Chiang (Still Aerion WFC)
“Football style-wise, I would say I would like an overflow of attack.”
– Coach Jeremy (12 Mar 2025)
And why not? With the amount of attacking talent in the squad, especially in the second half of the season, Coach Jeremy trusted his players to go get the win every game.
The ultimate sign of confidence was allowing his backline to defend from the centre circle in a critical match vs. LCSWT.
The match ended in a dramatic 3-2 comeback win, one which will be remembered for years to come.
Kana Kitahara (Albirex Niigata (S) WT)
“It’s difficult [having] a dual role… as a coach, I am still learning through trial and error. The things I’ve learned as a player, I now teach as a coach.”
– Player-Coach Kana (30 Jul 2024)
No notes. S-tier.
22 goals, 22 assists in 16 games (source: Mr. AFC), ball recovery and retention giantess *and* coach of the 2025 #SGWPL winning team.
“Her fighting spirit,” says a peer of hers admiringly. Wünder-A. Long may she reign at CCK stadium.
