Our Coaches
Josh Nicholl
U12 Mixed Coach
Josh has been playing lacrosse since 2013, when he was recruited to the U13 MCC team through primary school clinics at Hampton Primary School. This year, Josh will be playing on our Senior Men’s teams. This is the first year that Josh has coached. As a coach, he wants to try and inspire younger lacrosse players as he remembers being one of them not too long ago. He always enjoyed having a player coach as a junior, as he was able to watch them in the afternoon after his game. His first coach, Garret Chan was an international import, who taught Josh the basics of the game. Marty Hyde was another inspirational player coach, who coached Josh almost all the way through his Junior Career and was instrumental in growing Josh’s love for the game, as well as opening his eyes to the travel opportunities associated with the game. An opportunity that Josh has wasted no time in taking. Last year, Josh travelled to Canada to represent Australia in the U20 Box Lacrosse competition. Finally, Josh’s last Junior coach and current Senior coach, Nick Kiloh, has taught Josh so much about so many aspects of the game that have contributed to an improvement in Josh’s lacrosse IQ.
Looking forward to a great season!
Jessica Iuliano
U12 Girls Coach
Jess first started playing lacrosse when she was 9 years old in an U11 Lightning Carnival. Her first lacrosse club was in Bendigo, but she has been playing for MCC since 2018. Jess is currently playing on the Women’s Championship team, and when she’s not playing or coaching, she can be found pitch-side with her camera in tow, capturing amazing images that frequently appear in our social media posts, and @jsiphotos32
This is Jess’s first year coaching and she is very excited for the year ahead. Her goal is to get more girls into the sport and to make sure that everyone has fun while improving their skills. Her coaching inspiration is Nudge, who currently coaches the senior women’s team, and her favourite lacrosse memory is that sweet moment she scored her first goal. She’s been hooked ever since…
Adam Burrowes
U14 Boys Coach
Adam’s love for the game of lacrosse began in 1979 when a friend introduced him to the sport. His team (Footscray Lacrosse Club) went on to win the U14s championship that year, and this moment is still one of Adam’s favourite lacrosse memories. The coaches from his early years have also always held a special place in his heart, and the support and encouragement he received at the start of his lacrosse career are the reason why he continues to love this sport today.
Adam is a veteran coach, who has been coaching since 1991, when he first became involved with the Junior Development at his local club. Lucky for us, Adam made the move to MCC in 2017, where he continues to share his passion, knowledge and expertise with the kids he coaches.
Colby Zaph
U14 Boys Coach
Colby started playing lacrosse at the age of 14 in Saskatchewan, Canada as an off-season sport to stay in shape between (ice) hockey seasons. As a teenager, one of Colby’s favourite lacrosse memories was playing on the same team as his younger brother for Toronto Beaches Jr A for one season. His coach at the time, Elmer Tran, was inspirational in his coaching style, which was old school, hard, and defensive-minded. Colby has also always been inspired by his brother, Casey, who went on to play pro indoor lacrosse in Canada/USA, and who Colby says ‘played hard every game and wasn’t afraid of anyone’.
Colby returned to the lacrosse world when his son joined the MCC U12s team in 2021. He couldn’t help but get involved and has been coaching the juniors for the past few years. He enjoys seeing that moment when something clicks for a player, as well as watching the kids’ confidence in themselves grow. This year, Colby is looking forward to working with Adam, coaching the U14 Boys.
An ice hockey man at heart, Colby recently won best defenseman at the over-45s National Championships. However, he has not ruled out playing lacrosse again, and when he does return to the field, it will be on the Community Cup team.
Kellie Ellingworth
U14 Girls Coach
Kellie’s involvement with lacrosse began in 2004 when her best friend Phil Sherrard, who played at MCC, took Kellie to the Annual Presentation Night. There, she met Fran Nichols, who approached Kellie about starting a women's team and the rest is history. In 2005, Kellie took to the field for the first time on the MCC’s B Grade Women’s team, and although she played for six years, the very first time she took to the field remains one of her favourite lacrosse memories as it was filled with so much joy and laughter.
As a player, Kellie’s most inspirational coach was Fran Nichols. Fran’s nurturing and caring approach towards her players went beyond the field, instilling confidence and fostering personal growth. With her wealth of knowledge, Fran not only taught the intricacies of the game but also imparted invaluable life lessons. Fran's passion for lacrosse was contagious, igniting a fire within her players to strive for excellence. Yet, what truly set her apart was her sensitivity to the individual needs of each player, recognising that success isn't solely measured by wins but by the character and spirit cultivated within each athlete. Fran Nichols embodied the essence of a coach who leaves an indelible mark, not just on the game, but on the hearts and minds of those she mentors. Kellie says that Fran has been a beacon of inspiration in her coaching journey.
Kellie is drawn to coaching Junior Lacrosse because she believes in the profound impact mentorship can have on young athletes. Kellie credits lacrosse for shaping her in more ways than one, teaching her discipline, teamwork, and resilience. She wants to pass on these lessons to the next generation, helping them develop not only as players but also as individuals. Kellie believes that coaching isn't about winning games; it's about nurturing a love for the sport and fostering a supportive environment where young players can grow both on and off the field.
Coaching Junior Lacrosse brings Kellie immense joy. She finds witnessing the progress of young athletes and sharing their victories to be incredibly rewarding. In addition, she values the new learning opportunities for both the players and herself that are presented at each practice and game. Guiding her players through challenges and successes fosters a strong bond and fuels Kellie’s passion for coaching. Kellie says that it is a privilege to be part of their journey, shaping them not just as players, but as individuals.
Kellie is now a proud Life Member of the MCC Lacrosse Club!
Simon Gladman
U16 Boys Coach
Simon was introduced to lacrosse in Canada by his brother as a way of staying in shape for Gridiron Football during the offseason when he was 14 years old. Turns out that Simon much preferred lacrosse over football, and after playing on his first lacrosse team - the Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School (NDCSS) Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team – he has never looked back.
Simon’s coaching debut was with his former high school’s team in 2015. As head coach (2015-2018), he succeeded in keeping the game thriving at his old school, and even helped develop young athletes who went on to play at national and international levels. Simon was inspired by his teacher and Lacrosse Coach at NDCSS, Coach Dooley, who instilled values that could be applied, not only to the game of lacrosse, but to life in general. These are the same values that Simon now tries to instil in the players he coaches, as he believes that through the sport, individuals are able to gain valuable life experience that can be put towards their personal and professional development.
Simon joined MCC Lacrosse this year, and is returning to lacrosse as both a player and a coach. He is very honoured to be playing on the State League team as he plays his first season in roughly four years and hopes to do the club and his team mates proud. As a coach, Simon will be mentoring our U16 Boys. Simon hopes that his contributions to MCC Lacrosse will help to carry on the long legacy of Great Australian Lacrosse.
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