Canberra United legends Grace Gill and Caitlin Munoz are the latest pair to join the burgeoning United Coaching Support Group with the former Liberty A-League Champions named as mentors for the upcoming 2022/23 season.
The duo are well-known to Canberra United supporters having graced the shirt in the formative years of the club. Indeed, both Gill and Munoz were involved in the very first season of Canberra United football, the 2008/09 campaign, where Canberra was defeated in the inaugural Grand Final.
They will join with former team-mates Ashleigh Sykes and Nicole Begg as mentors to a new generation of Canberra United talent as Head Coach Njegosh Popovich continues to build a core support network that bleeds green.
“It is with great delight that I welcome both Grace and Caitlin into our coaching support network for the upcoming Liberty A-League season,” Popovich said.
“They are both legends of the game here in Canberra and are fan favourites with our wonderful support base. They understand the game and are both winners having tasted what it’s like to win trophies for this club.
“They understand what Canberra United means to everyone involved in our football community and will bring vast knowledge of the game on a local, national, and international level. As with Ash and Nic, we will utilise that knowledge as part of our mentorship program throughout the season.”
Gill has been busy post playing career making her name in the media world with appearances across various broadcasters but is pleased to be able to offer something back to the club that she graced for her entire A-League career.
“Canberra United, as a Canberran, obviously holds a place close to my heart and I am excited at being able to offer something back to the next generation of players making their name at the club,” Gill said.
“Njegosh is developing a very exciting project at United and the inclusion of some of the former playing group is a nice way to merge past with the present. I will do whatever I can to help this club and am hopeful that we are entering into an exciting new phase at Canberra United.”
Munoz, meanwhile, despite playing as a midfielder for most of her Canberra United career, was twice leading scorer for the club and racked up a ton of trophies at club level with the dominant Belconnen United squad, under the leadership of new United Assistant Coach Antoni Jagarinec.
“Canberra United have been a huge part of my football life and am delighted to be back helping them in this mentorship role,” Munoz said of her involvement back at the club she represented 83 times, scoring 21 goals.
“Everyone who knows me understands what this club means to me. I have been invested in it since day one, firstly as a player and then latterly as a spectator. To be back in green, in this capacity, is extremely exciting and I am looking forward to adding what I can to help us become as successful a team as possible.”
PROFILES
Name: Grace GILL
Former Clubs: Canberra United, FC Slovacko, Canberra Croatia, Australia U20
A-League Appearances: 58
Matildas Appearances: 1
Honours: A-League Championship (2011/12, 2014), A-League Premiership (2011/12, 2013/14)
Name: Caitlin MUNOZ
Former Clubs: Belconnen United, Canberra United, Australia U20
A-League Appearances: 83
A-League Goals: 21
Matildas Appearances: 57
Matildas Goals: 13
Honours: A-League Championship (2011/12, 2014), A-League Premiership (2011/12, 2013/14), OFC U20 Women’s Championship (2002)
