Grae Piddick takes the reins!
Grae Piddick, Head Coach at Gold Coast United FC (Photo: Scott Powick NEWSCORP)
Huge news with Grae Piddick agreeing to join Gold Coast United FC, taking the reins of the Men’s squad in the 2021 National Premier Leagues Queensland competition.
One of the most talented, qualified and experienced young coaches in the country, Piddick brings an impressive track record and a hunger for more success to the club.
Technical Director Craig Midgley is delighted to have snared his man, confirming that Piddick, “had many clubs trying to secure his services as head coach”.
“We are certainly very happy that he chose to join us!”
The addition of Piddick to the United coaching ranks is a boon for Midgley.
“Having just completed his pro license, Grae is among the top most qualified young coaches in the country.”
“His philosophy on football is in line with the club’s and the ambition that he has to be and become the best coach he can be mirrors the club’s ambition to continually strive to be better”.
For Piddick the decision to join United was swayed by several factors.
“I can see that United’s a club that wants to continue to move in a positive direction.
“A lot of ground work has been done in the last three years with the juniors and female programs now established as up there with the best in the state.”
“And with a great bunch of talented young players about to burst on the scene, it is an exciting time to come in and look to further develop the first team into a consistent force for many years.”
Plucked from the NPL junior coaching ranks at Palm Beach Soccer Club, Piddick guided a young ‘Palmie’ squad to a National Premier Leagues double in 2014. With unrivalled local success in the FFA Cup over many years, Grae’s knowledge and understanding of the local and broader football environment sees him well positioned to steer United forward.
“I’m excited about the prospect of combining the pool of existing young talent with high quality seasoned professionals and a few new recruits,” he confirmed.
“I believe the team can mould fairly quickly into a well-balanced cohesive unit and we can expect to see a team that will play on the front foot, look to play football while being aggressive with and without the ball and play like a team that really enjoys playing together.”
“My expectation is that we will be going into each game with a winning mentality and a focus on being a force in the competition.”
As a younster Piddick grew up in the Redlands and played all of his junior years there. His senior playing days included spells with Redlands United, Capalaba FC and Logan FC , but it was a shift to the Coast that saw him shift his attentions to the dugout.
Known for getting the very best out of his squads, Piddick is looking forward to the prospect of building on the strong platform laid at United and playing a part in continuing that development.
“One of the really exciting things about joining GCU is the plethora of young talent that are working hard to make their mark in the senior squad.”
“The depth of talent at the club is impressive, from the juniors right through to the more senior ranks.”
“It’s very encouraging to see the emergence of the younger players who are starting to come into the first team squad, they will form the backbone of the team in future years as they continue to work hard and learn from the senior players around them.”
“And from the outside looking in it’s also clear that there’s also a great club atmosphere and real sense of togetherness throughout the club which is something I am really looking forward to being a part of.”
A physiotherapist by profession, Grae works for the Education Department and outside of football, it’s more football! A long time devoted Liverpool fan, the world game is a big part of the Piddick household, something embraced by his wife Suzanne and their four children, Carragher (9), Archie (7) and three year old twins, Emerick and Hannah.
Welcome on board Grae & the Piddick family!