Former All Whites captain Chris Zoricich has been appointed head coach of New South Wales club Cooks Hill United.
Zoricich moves to Australia after leaving his role as head of men’s football at Northern League club Western Springs, where he’s coached the first team for five years.
Main photo: Zoricich is unveiled as head coach at Cooks Hill United. Photo: Cooks Hill United social media.
The 53-year-old is familiar with the area, having played two seasons for Newcastle United in Australia’s now-defunct National Soccer League.
“Chris is the perfect fit for us,” Cooks Hill technical director Craig Deans told the Newcastle Herald.
“His son Zac has signed with the Central Coast Mariners and he was looking for an opportunity to come back to Australia.
“He has experience with clubs at a similar stage to what we are at in terms of building from scratch.”
Zoricich said: “After hearing the club’s vision and ambition, the challenge of helping achieve these goals excites me.”
Cooks Hill finished ninth in the Northern New South Wales section of the National Premier League season.
Deans said the club’s focus was to develop players from within.
“To do that you need a coach who has experience in youth development and bringing players through,” he said. “Zoro has that. He has been with the New Zealand under-17 team to a couple of world cups and went to the London Olympics as an assistant coach.
“We need someone who has ambition and drive and wants to improve the players and the club.”
READ MORE: Zoricich leaves Western Springs after five years >>>>
READ MORE: Springs youngster Zac Zoricich joins Mariners after successful trial >>>>
Coaching changes
Northern and WaiBOP clubs have been busy with their coaching appointments for 2023.
Click on the following links for our coverage of announcements made so far:
NORTH SHORE UNITED | METRO FC | TE ATATU | MATAMATA SWIFTS | BAY OLYMPIC | CLAUDELANDS ROVERS | TE AWAMUTU | WESTERN SPRINGS | MT ALBERT PONSONBY | MANUKAU UNITED | WAITEMATA | CAMBRIDGE | MANUREWA | ONEHUNGA MANGERE UTD | HAMILTON WANDERERS | HIBISCUS COAST | NORTHERN ROVERS | PAPAMOA |
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