The Wellington Phoenix have appointed experienced coach Tory Schiltgen to a new wide-ranging role at the club.
Schiltgen joins the Phoenix as the women’s team’s second assistant and analyst for the upcoming women’s A-League season, and will coach the club’s U-18 women’s team at the academy next year.
She’ll remain in charge of Waterside Karori for this year’s Women’s National League Championship, having guided Wharfies to back-to-back top-two finishes in the Central League.
Originally from Minnesota, Schiltgen moved to Wellington in 2018 and was the inaugural director of the women’s and girls’ programme at Olé Football Academy and head coach of Western Suburbs women’s Central League team.
She also led Upper Hutt City’s women’s team before joining Waterside Karori, where she is also a director of football.
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill said: “Tory comes highly regarded by Waterside Karori, and we couldn’t be happier that we’ve secured her signature.
“She will complement Paul Temple and Amy Shepherd in the women’s first team coaching set-up and will be a great asset at the academy next year when she coaches the women’s under-18 side.”
Tory Schiltgen is looking forward to getting started with the Phoenix.
“I’ve always wanted to progress my career forward into a professional setting, and the Nix have done so much to move the women’s game forward in a very short amount of time,” Schiltgen said.
“I love coaching. I think it’s such an art, and the more I learn, the more I want to continue getting better, and I’m really looking forward to working with players and staff of this calibre.
“The club have been incredibly flexible about helping make my commitments with Karori and my two young daughters work. That gave me comfort in terms of stepping into this role and balancing the commitments required of it.
“After discussions with Paul Temple, it was clear where he’s aiming to move the team and environment this year, and I’m pretty excited about being a part of that shift.”
She is also pleased she’s still able to coach Waterside Karori in the upcoming National League.
“That was definitely a huge factor in my decision-making because I feel like I’ve had such a journey with this team.
“The team has such a rebellious spirit, and I love the connection I have with the players.
“It would have been very hard for me to step away from those women because they’re a huge part of who I am and how I work as a coach.
“I want to say a massive thank you to Waterside Karori. The entire club from the women’s space all the way down to the junior community has been nothing but supportive through all the work we’ve done this year.
“And the executive team has been fantastic about navigating this transition to ensure every area of the club gets the support it needs to keep growing and evolving.”
Tory Schiltgen will join the Phoenix women ahead of the start of pre-season training later in September.
The club have also appointed Tyron Curtis to a new assistant analyst role, working across both the women’s and men’s environments in support of head analysts Tory Schiltgen and Jordi Manning.
This story was first published on September 10, 2024.
More football stories
