Asher Trotter is leaving Hibiscus Coast after six seasons as the club’s head of women’s football and women’s head coach.
Trotter (31) has overseen the development of a strong women’s programme, culminating in Coast’s promotion to the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership, in which the club will compete for a third season next year.
Main photo: Hibiscus Coast coach Asher Trotter. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Announcing his departure, the club said: “The club has gone from strength to strength under Asher’s leadership and is in a great place to continue this success into the future.”
Since joining in 2019, the club’s achievements include their unbeaten Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship season in 2022, winning the NRF Cup and winning the U-19 national championship last year.
“Highly respected in the wider football community, Asher’s unmatched dedication to building a strong, attractive, nurturing, and development-focussed environment for both players and coaches alike across the entire women’s premier programme has laid a foundation that will benefit our club, community, and future generations for years to come,” the club says.
Trotter said: “These past six years have been life-changing.
“It has been an incredibly fulfilling journey full of growth, grit, meticulous planning, and so much energy and determination. I’m so proud to see we’ve built something truly special here, and we’ve done something that has had massive impact for our community with relatively limited resources compared to other clubs.
“While this has been a really hard and heavy decision to make, it feels like the right time. I leave knowing that the foundations are strong for future success, and I’m excited to see where the club can take the programme in the future with so much growth happening in the women’s game in our region – especially on the back of the FIFA World Cup, NRF’s Equity Charter, and Auckland FC bringing us our first professional women’s team very soon. There’s so much to be excited for!
“I am immensely proud of what we achieved together over these years.
“From day one, we created an awesome environment that got better every year, we made players better, developed and promoted so much incredible young talent, proved the competitive strength of our programme, endured challenges and celebrated successes, won titles and trophies together, and most importantly we put Hibiscus Coast on the map of top-tier women’s football in New Zealand.
“I am so grateful for the support of everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with over these years – players, families, coaches, supporters, and some great people at the club. “Most importantly, I am incredibly thankful to each and every player that I have had the privilege of coaching. We couldn’t have done any of this without them.
“I will always be a proud supporter of this club and this programme, and I look forward to seeing Hibiscus Coast AFC continue to thrive and achieve great things. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.”
Coast’s director of football, Nathan Cranney, said: “Asher’s impact on Hibiscus Coast AFC has been transformational. He has not only built a successful elite women’s football programme as a head coach, but has also fostered a culture of excellence and commitment that will resonate with players and coaches for years to come.
“What he has been able to achieve with the resources available is inspiring to aspirational clubs everywhere, and is a testament to his standards and character.
“We wish him all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for everything he has done for Hibiscus Coast AFC.”
This story was first published on September 9, 2024.
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