West Australian Tanya Oxtoby has been appointed manager of Northern Ireland women’s team. The 41-year old, who captained Perth Glory in the Liberty A-League before also working as an assistant with the team, has signed a four-year deal to lead the European nation who’ve made qualification for their first Women’s World Cup their goal.
Born and bred in West Wickham, 200 km west of Port Hedland, Tanya joins Northern Ireland after enjoying success as an assistant to Emma Hayes at Women’s Super League champions Chelsea, where she has worked with Matildas captain Samantha Kerr. “I am delighted and honoured to join the Northern Ireland senior women’s team,” Tanya said of her latest appointment.
“I’m really excited to be part of the next stage of international women’s football in this football-loving country. I will be giving everything to help develop the Northern Ireland team and ensure women’s and girls’ football continues to grow and succeed on an international stage. I can’t wait to get started.”
Tanya played locally for Northern Redbacks before stepping onto the national league stage with New South Wales Pride and Western Waves. She became the first player of Indigenous descent to captain a W-League side when she led Perth Glory in 2008. Spells with English clubs Doncaster Rovers Belles and Everton followed.
It was with Nottingham Forest in 2012 that Tanya made the move into managerialship. She was an assistant with Glory, the Australian Under-20 team and Birmingham City before having the reigns of Bristol City between 2018 and 2021. A short stint with the Scottish national team preceded her arrival at Chelsea two years ago.
The Irish FA’s Director of Women’s Football, Angela Platt, said Tanya will bring “knowledge, experience and pedigree” to the role. “Tanya was the outstanding candidate from a very strong field,” commented Platt. “We are confident she can take our international programme to the next level, giving us the best possible opportunity of achieving our ambition to regularly qualify for major tournaments.”
Northern Ireland reached a major tournament for the first time when they turned out at the UEFA European Women’s Championship 2022. Tanya’s first game in charge of Northern Ireland, currently ranked 45th in the world, will be away to the Republic of Ireland in the inaugural UEFA Nations League next month.
