Canberra United is excited to announce that Vicki Linton has been appointed as the club’s head coach for Season 13 of the Westfield W-League.
Linton brings unparalleled experience to Canberra United, with her resume including roles as the assistant coach with the Westfield Matildas, head coach of the Junior Matildas, and head coach of Melbourne Victory’s Westfield W-League side, which she guided to consecutive finals appearances.
The 46-year-old, who also coached USL W-League clubs Bay Area Breeze and Boston Renegades, has spent the past three years with the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Development Academy, where she mentored Academy Directors to improve player and coach development.
Linton has also worked as a FIFA Women’s Football Instructor, conducting numerous FIFA Women’s Football Development Courses in Asia and Oceania countries over the past decade.
With COVID-19 bringing her back to Australia, Linton said she is excited and honoured to coach one of the Westfield W-League’s most successful clubs.
“Spending time away from working with players directly had given me itchy feet so I had a desire to get back into coaching and use all the skills I have learned over the past three years,” Linton said.
“Where United sits in Canberra’s sporting landscape is fairly unique to the Westfield WLeague, which excites me. Canberra has always been a really well-run club and it has had success in the past so it is a really exciting opportunity. “
I am looking forward to coming into the club and having an impact at the senior level and continuing to grow Canberra United’s Academy program as well.”
Linton will continue Canberra United’s proud history of female head coaches, following on from Heather Garriock, Rae Dower, Jitka Klimkova, and the late Lizz Migchelsen.
Linton said that was one of the reasons why she was so proud to sign with Canberra United.
“In the past, I spent time with Jitka [Klimkova] when I was working with the National teams at the AIS and I connected with Lizz [Migchelsen] and Rae [Dower] when they were coaching Canberra United, so I have always had a connection with the club,” Linton shared.
“The last four head coaches being women says a lot about the club and the strong program it runs. It makes me proud to follow on from them but with that comes a sense of responsibility which I look forward to living up to.”
Capital Football CEO Phil Brown welcomed Vicki Linton to Canberra United.
“We are very excited to have Vicki Linton on board as the new head coach of Canberra United,” Brown said.
“To have a coach of her experience at the helm of our women’s program in Canberra will give our Westfield W-League team every opportunity to succeed on and off the pitch.
“With Linton working alongside Capital Football’s Technical Director Scott O’Donell, we have a wealth of coaching talent for Canberra United and our development pathways.
“We look forward to welcoming Vicki to the nation’s capital.”
