Capital Football is thrilled to announce the appointment of Co-head coaches for the 2025 Girl’s Youth National League season. Chelsea Tippen and Rachel Finlay will jointly lead the U18 Girl’s team following the conclusion of the winter season.

Both coaches will undoubtedly be familiar to many throughout the region given the tremendous amount of time they have spent coaching young females across the years. Chelsea and Rachel are actively coaching in the women’s space this season with Wellington United and Petone respectively, and they both hold the OFC/NZF C Licence qualification.

Federation Development Manager, Steeve Sharpe is excited by the appointment “we were aware that there are several excellent coaches working in the women and girl’s game throughout the Capital Football region. When we received the expressions of interest from Chelsea and Rachel, the possibility of combining their expertise for the benefit of our young female players was a really enticing one. We are delighted that they both accepted the opportunity. Capital Football has a proud history of supporting female coaches and what better way to continue this by appointing co-head coaches, the calibre of Chelsea and Rachel.”

Clubs and schools will have the opportunity to nominate young female players to be selected for the team in due course. The Girl’s Youth National League runs from the weekend of 20th September to 16th November 2025, selection opportunities will be offered well before this date, as well as players being viewed during the winter season. The remaining staff appointed to support the programme will be announced in the lead up to the season.  

Article added: Thursday 24 April 2025