Power-ing up to reach 'another level'

It would be a daunting challenge to many, but not Peninsula Power’s new head coach Rick Coghlan. 

In fact, the 33-year-old is relishing a chance to take NPL Qld’s most successful side in recent years to “another level”.

Power has lifted three premiership trophies in four years (2018-21), winning 82 of its 102 FQPL and NPL matches – an 80 per cent success rate.

It has also won the Foundation Cup three times in four years and reached the FFA Cup (now Australia Cup) national round of 32 last season.

Rebuilding

The spine of that team left in the summer forcing Power to rebuild, but they are still third on the ladder and in preliminary round six of the Australia Cup.

Coghlan took his first training session on Tuesday and his first match in charge will be against league leaders Lions tomorrow (June 10) at AJ Kelly Park (7.30pm).

Beside him will be Aaron Philp, the most successful coach in Power’s history, who decided this would be his last season and is now assistant to help the transition.

Fantastic group

“I’m looking to build on the momentum which this club has worked so hard to achieve in recent years,” said Coghlan, pictured with Power President Craig Feuerriegel.

“There’s a fantastic group of people behind the scenes and an unbelievable winning culture, so it’s not going to take long for me to buy into that.

“Now I need to show what I can do, get the boys working with me and see if we can go to another level.”

At the double

Coghlan has an impressive resume, taking Logan to the 2020 FQPL double and promotion to NPL Qld. He also took Devonport to the 2019 NPL Tasmania title.

“I want to go as far and as high as I can with this team, not just this year, but in the future,” he said.

“Pushing Lions, Olympic and (Gold Coast) Knights all the way at the top would be fantastic. The Australia Cup is also a huge carrot for every player and coach.

Hungry to succeed

“But nothing changes from the ambitions of this club. I am just as ambitious as everyone here … and hungry to succeed.”

Power has made no secret of its wish to join a proposed new second tier in Australian football, bridging the gap between the NPL and A-League.

“The possibility of (Power) being in that tier was absolutely one of the attractions for me,” said Coghlan, who is originally from London.

Thank you

President Craig Feuerriegel is delighted to have secured Coghlan’s services and welcomed him to the Power family, while also paying tribute to Aaron Philp.

“I would like to thank Aaron, who has been the most successful coach in the club’s history for all his commitment and hard work over many years to lead us to the summit of Queensland football,” Feuerriegel said.

“Aaron is a valued life member of the club and his willingness to provide a positive transition of working with Rick for the remainder this season is testament to his passion for the club to continue its success.”