By Ben Gilby
New Perth SC head coach Tom Glavovic has emphasised that it was the “club’s strong values, its ambition, and the clear vision for success” made it an easy decision to take the role in succession to Danielle Brogan.
“It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity,” he said. “Perth SC has a rich history and a proud footballing culture, and I saw the chance to work with a talented and dedicated squad that has proven its potential. The club’s commitment to developing players, as well as its strong support for women’s football, really aligns with my own coaching philosophy. I look forward to building on the momentum and contributing to the growth of the team.”
That momentum comes after the women’s team’s most successful ever season in 2024 when they claimed the State Cup, earned another place in the Top Four Cup Final and recorded crucial wins over perennial rivals for silverware, Perth RedStar. The quality of the Azzurri team was recognised by their entire midfield of Tijan McKenna, Georgia Cassidy, Charli Wainwright, and Grace Johnston being given pro contracts by Perth Glory, along with top scorer Ella Lincoln, for the A-League Women season.
Reflecting on how he is aiming to build on the huge positives of last season, Glavovic said: “I want to acknowledge the incredible work done by the previous head coach, Danielle Brogan. Under her guidance, the team achieved remarkable success, and I’m grateful for the strong foundation she has left.
“Looking ahead to 2025, my goal is to build on the momentum from last season and ensure that we continue to grow both individually and collectively. We will aim to be more competitive, refine our tactical approach, and continue to develop our players. Our focus will be on maintaining consistency while also pushing for further success, both in terms of silverware and team development.”
Glavovic comes to the role at Dorrien Gardens after several years being part of the Football NTC coaching squad, working alongside people such as Ben Anderton to help some of the state’s brightest young talent develop into the stars of the future.
“During my time at NTC, I had the privilege of working alongside some amazing coaches,” the new Azzurri boss said.
“Their expertise and mentorship have played a key role in my personal growth as a coach, helping me develop both professionally and personally.
“I was also incredibly lucky to work alongside many talented players who have since gone on to make their professional appearances and represent Australia on the world stage. Their dedication and commitment continue to inspire me, and I am proud to have been part of their development. Working with such driven athletes has motivated me to keep pushing for excellence in everything I do as a coach.”
Glavovic can also point to a playing career which took him from the youth set up at top Serbian side Partizan Belgrade, and on to Germany before arriving in Australia. He picks up the story.
“I began my football journey at Partizan where I spent four years in their youth setup, playing at the U12, U14, and U16 levels. However, I had to leave Partizan and my home country due to the domestic war in the former Yugoslavia. The high-level training environment at Partizan helped me hone my technical skills and develop a deeper tactical awareness.
“Some of my fondest memories come from the intense training sessions and the camaraderie with my teammates. Being part of such a prestigious club had a profound influence on my coaching philosophy, and the lessons I learned there continue to guide my approach today.
“After my time at Partizan, I went on to play football in Germany, competing in the Regionalliga (the divisions then at tier three and below). This experience further expanded my understanding of the game and exposed me to different playing styles and footballing cultures. It was a valuable time for my personal development as a player.”
The experiences earned by Glavovic from his playing career across Europe and his time at the NTC have all contributed in to the type of playing style that Perth SC members and fans can expect to see their team playing in 2025.
“I believe in creating a dynamic, attacking style of football that focuses on ball possession, quick transitions, and fluid movement. My approach is built around fostering a team-oriented mentality, where every player understands their role both defensively and offensively. I want to see a team that is not afraid to express themselves on the ball, while also being disciplined and organized when out of possession. My goal is to ensure that we are always proactive, playing an exciting brand of football that fans can be proud of, while maintaining a strong defensive structure.”
With the Night Series about to kick off, the first of the squad’s new arrivals are beginning to be announced. In terms of what the new Perth SC boss was looking for in terms of potential new players, he highlighted a “focus on bringing in players who can complement and strengthen the current squad.”
He went on: “We’ve looked for players with strong technical ability, high football IQ, and those who fit the team’s culture. It’s essential to recruit individuals who are not only skilled but also have the right mind set and work ethic to thrive in a competitive environment. We’ve also aimed to increase depth in key areas, ensuring we have quality across all positions to maintain consistency throughout the season.
“We’re excited to welcome some fantastic new players to the squad. Each of them brings a unique set of qualities that will be invaluable to us. From pace and technical skill in wide areas to experience and leadership in central positions, they’ll be key in helping us evolve our style of play. We’re confident that these new additions will fit seamlessly into our system and contribute to the team’s overall success.”
He also hinted that the squad can expect to be boosted by several players coming in from Perth Glory once the pro-season is over in May.
“We’re fortunate to have several players already within the Perth Glory setup, and we are hopeful of bringing back at least three of them once the A-League Women season concludes. These players will strengthen our squad and add depth, bringing with them valuable top-flight experience.”
Before then, we have the start of the Night Series this weekend when Perth SC welcome Subiaco to Dorrien Gardens before further round robin games with UWA-Nedlands and Balcatta Etna. The tournament is one the provides an opportunity to gel new faces into the squad as well as an early chance for silverware. Glavovic is both excited and positive about what is ahead over the coming month during the competition.
“The Night Series offers a great opportunity for us to test different tactical setups and integrate new players into the team. While we always want to compete and win, pre-season is also about building team chemistry and fine-tuning our strategies. It’s important to strike a balance between achieving results and experimenting with new ideas. I’m confident that the Night Series will give us a chance to work on our game and start the season with strong momentum.
From here, the Azzurri will be heading into the new NPLW WA campaign, and after the highly competitive nature of last season, Glavovic sees even greater challenges ahead in 2025.
“The NPLW WA competition is always competitive, and teams like RedStar, Balcatta, and Freo will continue to be strong contenders this season. However, we’ve also seen significant recruitment from other clubs such as NTC, Subiaco, UWA, and MUM, which will make the league even more competitive.
“We’re keeping an eye on these developments, as they could offer additional challenges, but we remain focused on our own development and goals for the season. Our aim is to stay competitive and raise our level regardless of what our opponents do.”