May 14, 2024

Man in charge: Get to know Filipinas’ new coach Mark Torcaso

Man in charge: Get to know Filipinas’ new coach Mark Torcaso
Art by Royce Nicdao

Questions about what’s next for the Philippine women’s national football team have been answered with the arrival of Australian coach Mark Torcaso.

Filipinas’ Angie Beard and Jaclyn Sawicki, who both play for Torcaso in A-League Women club Western United, are no strangers to his coaching style.

Beard has even extended a warm Filipinas welcome to Coach Mark via social media.

But for those who haven’t been following the Australian football scene, there's no shame if you barely know anything about Torcaso. This is why we wrote this quick profiler of the new gaffer of the Philippine women's national football team.

Extensive career in Australia

Serving concurrently as director of football at St. Monica's College in Melbourne—in the past 22 years, actuallyTorcaso possesses an extensive understanding of the Victorian football hierarchy,

Torcaso assumed leadership of Calder United's first team in 2016 and has held a prominent position in the management of women's football in Victoria.

Under his guidance, Calder United achieved an impressive tally of 11 championship titles.

Following this successful stint, Torcaso transitioned to the role of manager at Western United in the A-League Women.

He guided the team to the Liberty A-League Women Grand Final, where they emerged victorious. Torcaso brought home the Coach of the Year accolade.

Torcaso’s roles over the years

If you still wish to know more about him and his expertise, here’s an overview of the roles Torcaso has held in the past.

  • Coach, Calder United NPLW VIC
  • Coach, Bundoora United women’s team
  • Coach, Whittlesea Zebras Under-16 girls
  • Goalkeeper coach, Melbourne Victory A-League Women
  • Goalkeeper coach, NTC Girls

Torcaso, who is ready to fuse a new mentality to the Filipinas, is set to join the team's training camp in the coming weeks as they prepare for the upcoming Asian Games in September and the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in October.

(GM)