Greek Australian Alex Epakis has stepped into the national setup of women’s football after being appointed the new head coach of the U-20s team.
Epakis was announced today by Football Australia to have taken on the role wherein he will be charged with aiding in the development and progression of the country’s emerging talents.
The coach spoke to Football Australia on the appointment, considering it a great privilege to have been handed the reins of the Young Matildas.
“It is a very humbling experience. It is something I am very honoured to have, in that position, and something I am super excited for,” Epakis said.
The 33-year-old boasts a wealth of experience in football, citing his stints as head coach of the Sydney University NPL Women’s NSW team (2017-2020) and A-League Women’s side Perth Glory (2020-2024) as ones he will lean on in his new position.
“Through those ten years of experiences so far, in particular those two major projects in my career, I think I have been well equipped with the tools and resources to now implement in that new role,” he said.
Epakis admitted that it was a career goal to represent his country in some manner, adding an extra dimension of pleasure as he prepares to lead the young, emerging talent in the country.
“There is a really fantastic group of players,” he said.
“The game and the women’s space at the moment is in a really good point where we can grow the game further and have an opportunity to play a small part within that is certainly something that excites me and is something that I am not taking for granted whatsoever.”
Epakis will serve in the new post alongside his current jobs as Technical Adviser for Football NSW Girl’s Youth Development and head coach of Football NSW Girls State Team.
Football Australia stated that both Epakis and Michael Cooper (who was appointed head coach of the U-17 side) will work closely with A-League Women and NPL Women clubs, plus Member Federation Technical Directors to strengthen alignment between domestic and national pathways.
Epakis has officially commenced his role while Cooper starts on 17 March and their main goals are preparing for AFC and FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s competitions in late 2025, with domestic camps scheduled for April.
