Hesterine de Reus becomes the Matildas first female coach | (Credit: Getty Images) Hesterine de Reus becomes the Matildas first female coach | (Credit: Getty Images)

After a nearly two month process, the FFA has announced that dutchwoman Hesterine de Reus will be the new Head Coach of the Matildas starting January 2013.

de Reus, who is currently the Manager and Head coach of PSV/FC Eindhoven Women’s team, takes up the reigns in the new year after the position was left vacated by Tom Sermanni following his appointment as the US Women's National Team Head Coach.

Following a long and distinguished playing career (capped 43 times for the Dutch National Team between 1983-1993), de Reus has made her mark in the coaching area at both club and international level.

A qualified UEFA Pro Licence coach, the 51 year old has worked with elite footballers for the last 18 years at youth level holding several technical development positions within the Netherlands’ national youth team programs. de Reus has also been a member of several technical study groups UEFA and the AFC and comes with with exceptional coaching qualifications.

"We put in place a very thorough search process and we had extremely high calibre coaches apply from Australia and overseas," said Gallop,"  said FFA Chief Executive Officer, David Gallop.

"I'm delighted we've been able to appoint Hesterine de Reus as the new Head Coach of the Westfield Matildas."

“She has the right mix of experience and skills for this important position."

“We look forward to working with Hesterine for the next stage of the Westfield Matildas campaign to defend the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup/"

As well as club experience, de Reus has taken the Netherlands U19s Women to the semi finals of the UEFA 19 Championships and also been head coach for the Jordian Women's National Team.  However, it in terms of rankings and stature, this will be her biggest job to date and one which is looking forward to.

“I had the opportunity to watch some of the Westfield Matildas matches at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and I very much enjoyed their style".

Hesterine de Reus

Date of Birth: 6 December 1961

Place of Birth: Poortugaal, Netherlands

 Playing Career:

  • 1983 – 1993                  43 Appearances for Netherlands Women’s National Team

Coaching Career and Achievements:

  • Aug 1994 - 2005            KNVB-Coach Youth Programs - Youth Development Teams U12, U-14, U-16, U-18

  • Aug 1996 - Jun 1999      Youth Coach ODC, Schiedam

  • Apr 1997 - Jun 1998       Head Coach Rijsoord Women (Dutch Women’s First Division)

  • Jun 1998 - Jan 2003       Head Coach Saestum (Dutch Women’s National Division)

    -       Champions 1999, 2000 & 2002

    -       2002/03 Final Group Stage UEFA Women’s Cup

  • Aug 1999 - Jul 2000       Assistant Coach Netherlands U-17 Girls National Team

  • Jun 2001 - Jun 2004       Regional Coach – Youth Development Teams – Boys and Girls U-13, U-14 & U-15

  • Aug 2001 - May 2002     Assistant Coach Netherlands U-19 Women’s National Team

  • Nov 2002 - Jun 2004      Head Coach Netherlands U-15 Girls National Team

  • Jun 2004 - Jun 2007       Head Coach Netherlands U-17 Girls National Team, Assistant Coach Netherlands U-19 Women’s National Team,  Assistant Coach Netherlands U-15 Girls National Team

  • Jun 2007 – Sep 2010     Head Coach Netherlands U-19 Women’s National Team

    -       Semi-Finals of 2010 UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship

  • Sep 2010 – Jan 2012     Technical Director Jordan Football Association, Head Coach Jordan Women’s National Team

    -       Arabia Cup 2010 Champions           

  • Head Coach Jordan U-19 Women’s National Team, Head Coach Jordan U-16 Girls National Team

  • Jun 2012 – present        Manager and Head Coach of PSV FC Eindhoven Women’s Team (BeNeLeague)