New coach, new approach

THE Papua New Guinea Football Association has appointed former professional footballer Spencer Prior as the new head coach of the women’s national team.
Englishman Prior, who holds an Asian Football Confederation pro-coaching diploma and a UEFA B-licence among other football credentials will lead the women’s team in February’s inter-confederation playoff in Auckland, New Zealand, for a spot at the Fifa World Cup.
The former English Premier League player, who had stints at Manchester City, Leicester, Norwich and Derby County, is currently overseeing the PNG squad’s training in Sydney and is expected to arrive in the country this weekend with the players before a selection trial is held next week.
The 51-year-old said he was grateful for the opportunity to lead PNG into the playoff in February.
“We are currently preparing the players in Sydney where we are working together on developing high performance mindsets,” he said.
“Our aim has been to get the players to buy into the expectations on and off the pitch of what will be required to win two games of football against teams that have spent three and a half years preparing for this moment.
“We have an opportunity to achieve the ultimate goal of qualifying for a spot at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup which will raise the profile of women’s football in PNG.
“While we have a good number of players still in country having visas and passports processed, it’s important for us to see all players that are in contention for a spot in the squad.” Prior said there would be a trial match to ensure all players were given an opportunity to be assessed.
“This game will also provide a window to see those who have been in the high-performance programme for the past two weeks.”
The Southend native said he was looking forward to meeting with all the staff and players to discuss the next three months ahead towards the first playoff against Panama.
“The attitude and application of the players since coming into camp in Sydney has been first class. We are developing a culture that allows us to push the players beyond their limits everyday challenging them physically, mentally and technically.”
Meanwhile, PNGFA technical director Paul Isorua said Prior was preferred ahead of two other shortlisted applicants out of 15 applications for the position.
“Apart from his pro-coaching diploma and UEFA B coaching licence, Spencer is also a football coach educator, conditioner and analyst. He also holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science besides football.
“His coaching career is focused more on women’s football development because he strongly believes that women’s football has the potential to bridge the gap of football development in all countries.”
The former defender has experience working with clubs in Asia and Australia with his international coaching experience included being the head coach for the Thailand women’s national team (2016/17), the Australian Under-20 women’s team (2012/13) and as assistant coach for the Australian senior women’s team (2011/2013).