Germany, Brazil and now Karratha ... meet Football West's new Pilbara CPO
Football West is delighted to introduce its new Community Participation Officer – Pilbara.
Malin Marquardt brings plenty of football experience to the role, including having worked at top German club VfB Stuttgart.
“Growing up in Germany, football is everywhere and I have always loved the game,” she said. “I have taken that love with me wherever I have lived.
“My father was a teacher and for a few years we lived in Brazil, in a small community three hours from Sao Paulo. Again, everybody played football and we would play in the street after school.
“We then moved to Zurich when I was 14 and the team I played in won the Swiss Cup. After that, we returned to Germany and I started coaching the U17s Bundesliga girls' team at TSV Crailsheim.
“I later worked at VfB Stuttgart, a top club in Germany. That role was as a sports therapist, working with players during their rehab after surgery until they returned to training. It was an awesome experience, working with such talented, professional players.”
So what is the appeal of living in the Pilbara?
“It is so different to Europe … the big, red dirt, the open spaces. I first moved to Australia in 2015 and I love the lifestyle, always being outdoors. I’m not a big city person, I enjoy the isolation. I enjoy the community lifestyle, going to the shops and knowing most of the people you bump into.
“I enjoy fishing, too, although I have to be careful about what I say about fishing because people here take it very seriously. I’ve learned that what would be a big fish in Germany isn’t here!"
Malin, who assisted previous CPO Karen Hennessy with some programs, added: “Of course, my priority is the football and sharing my love of the game with people here. A lot is going on and it’s really exciting.
“Our social women’s soccer starts this term. I am setting up the Football West Hyundai Academy, I am really excited about that one. We also have a couple of MiniRoos programs, development days and a Girls Day Out planned for later this season.
“I am also working in Roebourne one day a week at the Yaandina Centre, an indigenous centre.
“It is so different to football in Europe and you do mentally readjust.
“The players at Stuttgart, they all want to make it so they arrive half an hour early. You ask them to do 10 push-ups and they do 20. Everyone is striving for the maximum and it can be really competitive. Here it's much more social, very family orientated, everyone is included and most of the parents volunteer.
“So it’s challenging but that is part of the appeal. I love building those relationships and seeing young people make progress.”
Football West Chief Operating Officer Perry Ielati said: “We are thrilled to have Malin on board and she will be a great asset for football in the Pilbara.
“Her football knowledge is exceptional but she also knows the region and the people, so we look forward to her sharing her vast experience.
"This strengthens our commitment to football in the regions and we would like to thank the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for their support in this area.”
