Catherine Cannuli (born 3 March 1986[1]) is an Australian soccer coach and former player who is coach of the Western Sydney Wanderers in the W-League. She played national league football in the Women's National Soccer League for the NSW Sapphires and the W-League for Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers. She also played for Inter Lions in the NSW Women's Premier League.[2] She also played four times for Australia.

Catherine Cannuli
Cannuli playing for the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2012
Personal information
Full name Catherine Cannuli
Date of birth (1986-03-03) 3 March 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Sydney, Australia
Height 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Western Sydney Wanderers (coach)
Youth career
Marconi Stallions
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2004 NSW Sapphires
2009–2011 Sydney FC 22 (3)
2011–2012 Brisbane Roar 11 (0)
2012–2014 Western Sydney Wanderers 22 (7)
2016–2017 SD Raiders
Total 55 (10)
International career
2002–2004 Australia U-19
2011–2012 Australia 4 (1)
Managerial career
2016–2017 SD Raiders
2017–2021 Western Sydney Wanderers (assistant coach)
2021– Western Sydney Wanderers
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Club career

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Cannuli began playing soccer at the age of seven for the Marconi Stallions, initially playing in a team where she was the only female player.[3]

Cannuli played for the NSW Sapphires in the Women's National Soccer League (WNSL) from the 2000–01 WNSL season.[4] She played in the Sapphires' championship-winning team in 2003.[5]

In 2004, Cannuli stepped away from the game, returning in 2008 with Inter Lions. She was soon invited to train with Sydney FC.[6]

Ahead of the 2011 W-League season, Cannuli joined Brisbane Roar where she played 11 matches in a single season in the Queensland capital.[7][8]

On 31 January 2014, Cannuli announced her retirement at the conclusion of the season.[9] In her last home match for Western Sydney Wanderers, during the Sydney Derby, Cannuli scored a penalty with the last kick of the match.[10]

International career

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Cannuli made her debut for the Matildas on 12 May 2011 in a 3–0 friendly win against New Zealand at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford.[11] Cannuli then scored her first goal on 15 May 2011 in another friendly against New Zealand in a 2–1 win at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford.[12]

Coaching career

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Beginning in 2016 Cannuli she started working as a technical director overseeing women's football with the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association (SDSFA). She is also a playing coach of the association's team, SD Raiders, in the New South Wales State League Women's competition.[13] She led the Raiders to the State League Women's championship in 2016.[14][15]

In October 2017, after leading SD Raiders to back-to-back Grand Final victories, Cannuli joined Western Sydney Wanderers as an assistant coach under Richard Byrne.[16]

In June 2021, Dean Heffernan stepped down from his coaching role and Cannuli was promoted to be head coach of the team.[17]

Honours

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Club

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With NSW Sapphires:

  • Women's National Soccer League Championship: 2003

With Sydney FC:

  • W-League Premiership: 2009
  • W-League Championship: 2009

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ "Player profile – Catherine Cannuli". Sydney FC. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  2. ^ Cauchi, Alex (15 October 2010). "Striker given the boot". Liverpool Leader. News Community Media. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  3. ^ Meacham, Steve (14 June 2002). "Catherine dreams of being a soccer great". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  4. ^ Esamie, Thomas. "Women's NSL - Season 2000/2001". OzFootball. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Sapphires win WNSL title". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Sportal. 21 December 2003. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  6. ^ Shipard, Sally (20 May 2011). "Who's who in W—Catherine Cannuli". Westfield W-League. Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Prestons soccer star joins Brisbane Roar". South West Rural Advertiser. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2017 – via EBSCOhost.
  8. ^ C. Cannuli at Soccerway. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Catherine Cannuli Announces Retirement". Football Federation Australia. 31 January 2014.
  10. ^ Smith, Pete (2 February 2014). "Sydney FC claim derby bragging rights". Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014.
  11. ^ "Matildas Cruise Past Kiwis". Australian FourFourTwo. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Matildas beat NZ in final Cup warm-up". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  13. ^ Boulous, Chris (14 February 2017). "Women's game on the rise". Fairfield City Champion. Fairfax Regional Media. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  14. ^ Davies, Justin (September 2016). "SD Raiders crowned Women's State League Champions". Football NSW. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  15. ^ 2016 Yearbook. Football NSW. 2017. p. 29.
  16. ^ "Wanderers confirm Westfield W-League coaching line-up". Western Sydney Wanderers. 26 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Cannuli appointed Wanderers W-League head coach". Western Sydney Wanderers. 2 June 2021.