MEET YOUR COACH: U15 BLUE - Mat daniels

Mat played his junior footy at Beverley Hills JFC in East Doncaster, before playing at Box Hill FC in the U19's for 2 years where he had a very serious back injury, after which he went and joined mates to play local footy at Nunawading FC in the EFL. This lasted a few years before work got in the way (as it does - boo!).

Mat has coached many of our Titan kids through Auskick for several years, and has helped with training over the years while work prevented him from being involved in coaching. He has also had experience in his younger years as a junior cricket coach, and many years being an armchair expert of the AFL 😜 (Mat's words - not ours!)
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One of his funniest footy memories was playing school footy, and there was a guy who had migrated from Vietnam play his first ever game with them. When he took possession of the ball he just started to run flat out towards goal - as an opponent approached, he tucked the ball under his arm and put his fists up ready to fight. The other boy backed away, so he continued running, never bouncing the ball, he repeated the fists up approach a few more times before kicking a goal, which obviously wasn't allowed, but Mat and the team were all very much entertained!
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The thing Mat is most passionate about is seeing every player realise their potential, to believe the best of themselves and to build a team culture of trust, encouragement, positivity and fun. Mat believes that footy is the most fun sport to play, and it should be fun. He also sees the opportunity to teach kids to challenge themselves to improve, to be better versions of themselves both as footballers and as young men. Sounds pretty good to us Mat!