MUM’S THE WORD
SOCCER
Being an ANZA Soccer Coach is a role that suits all genders, as CARA MAYEGA and JANELLE MACBAY reveal.
C
hildren are great imitators, so it’s crucial that we surround them with great role models to follow in all areas of life - and that includes on the soccer pitch. Cara D’Avanzo certainly sets a great example for her children Declan, 19, Aran, 17, and Chris, 15. An integral member of the ANZA family, Cara serves as Communications Coordinator on the ANZA Soccer committee and is one of a handful of female parent coaches who’ve stepped up to actively coach the kids on the game. We asked Cara how she went from regular Saturdays to spending her weekends striding the sidelines.
When did you begin coaching at ANZA Soccer? It was back in 2014 when I started coaching my youngest son’s U8 team. As a child I’d played soccer myself from
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Above: Cara D’Avanzo with oldest son Declan on Awards Day, 2017. Below: With the victorious SEA Cup team, 2015
January/February 2022
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