South announces Nejc Kolman as Under 20s coach
South Melbourne FC would like to announce the appointment of Nejc Kolman as the Coach of our Under 20 Men’s team for the 2019 NPL Season.
Nejc started his footballing life at the age of six in the town of Tolmin, Slovenia. At the age of twelve he went to play in the first division juniors at ND Gorica where he won the league in the U16s and U18s. It was during his time at Gorica his talents were noticed and he received a call up to the Slovenian national youth team representing his country on 14 occasions, scoring once and participating in qualifiers for the European Championship.
At the age of eighteen, Kolman signed his first professional contract playing in the Slovenian First Football League. He first played for Nafta Lendava FC and then in his second year he transferred Primorje FC.
At twenty Kolman moved from Slovenia to Spain where he linked up with Racing Club de Ferrol and then Sociedad Deportiva Compostela. Kolman experienced success at SD Compostela winning two championships including a promotion to the Segunda División B.
Nejc spent a short six month stint in Bulgaria before returning to his native Slovenia for a season in the country’s top league with NK Celje and Tolmin. It was after this time he made the decision to travel to Australia.
Kolman trialed with the Senior squad during the 2015 pre-season playing a number of friendlies however some injuries contributed him not being offered a position. He was picked up by Heidelberg United for the season helping them in finish third in the league and then transferred across to the Moreland Zebras for 2016 and 2017 before hanging up the boots. In his three years in the NPL Victoria, Nejc played 76 matches scoring 13 goals.
In 2018 Kolman turned his hand to coaching, joining South Melbourne FC for his first stint in the technical area. He was responsible for the Under 14 boy’s team and the Under 20s Men’s team. The Under 14s finished in 4th place and also traveled to the USA to participate in the Iber Cup. The Under 20s finished second in the league, six players had game time with the seniors and four made their senior debut for the club.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Director of Youth Football Andrew Mesourouni saying “Nejc introduced a youthful, positive and engaging coaching style to the two squads he was managing in 2018. He was able to leverage his senior playing experience in Europe and in the NPL Victoria in a manner which translated well for his players. This reflected well for the teams with success on the pitch but also from a development perspective for individual players. A number of Under 20s trained regularly with the Senior squad and made their senior debut during the year”
The club wishes Nejc and the Under 20s success in the coming 2019 NPL Victoria season.