Gambier Centrals Soccer Club has announced Tom Navickas (pictured) as its senior coach for the upcoming Limestone Coast Football Association Women’s 2023 season.

Navickas will replace Scott Dickson who coached the side this year, with the club thanking Dickson for his long term dedication in 2022.

Navickas has been one of the coaches to guide Centrals men’s A Grade side to back-to-back premierships in the past two seasons, but felt it was time for a change.

“I could not do much more with the senior men’s team … they were great trainers, so there was not much for me to do and I felt I was getting too comfortable,” he said.

He took a women’s training session while their coach was away and said it was one the most enjoyable sessions he had been involved with.

Navickas is excited to take on the role and believes the side has a huge amount of scope for improvement.

“I’m not comfortable being the focal point especially with match days, Brodey Koop helped me improve with all that, we felt it would be a good challenge, and will improve everyone, and get everyone out of any ruts or comfort zones,” he said.

Navickas was impressed watching the team last season and believes the sky is the limit for the players, with an opportunity ahead to get back on top

“They all seem to be a group that is close, they wanted to learn,” he said.

When identifying areas for improvement, Navickas has been looking at the goal difference.

“I have seen the goal difference from the past four seasons and that’s a goal to work on,” he said.

Off the ball movement will also be a key focus as players spend 88 minutes of the 90 without the ball.

“So doing without it is the biggest scope for improvement,” he said.

Navickas is also looking to bring a female coach on board for the 2023 season.

“It’s important with the women’s world cup next year and to get more women involved in the game side,” he said.

“The team will be looking for an improvement from the 2022 season after failing to qualify for finals, finishing second to last.

Centrals has also announced its Marc Perryman and assistant Brad Gardenier as 2023 Reserves leaders.