MFA Coaching Spotlight: Manal Haragli and Turab Bank (Glenfield Lions)

This week’s MFA Coaching Spotlight takes us to Glenfield Lions FC, where we meet two coaches making a lasting impact on and off the pitch, Manal and Turab. Both are not only shaping their players into resilient and skilful footballers, but also into confident, respectful individuals who love the game and enjoy every training session and match.

Manal - U9's Coach

As Glenfield Lions’ first-ever female coach, Manal has broken new ground at the club. When she was first approached to coach, she had little knowledge of the game or coaching, but she embraced the challenge, starting with a U7 team. Over the years, she has grown into the role, now leading the U9s with confidence and enthusiasm, and completing several coaching courses along the way.

Her introduction to coaching came when her son wanted to play football. Although the role initially felt daunting, Manal quickly learned to organise sessions, manage different personalities, and create a cohesive team environment.

From the very start, respect has been her cornerstone value, respect between players, towards opponents, coaches, and referees. For Manal, seeing her players grow, both in skill and character, is the most rewarding part of the role.

Manal’s sessions are built around fun, trust, and confidence. She laughs with her players, keeps training varied, and ensures each week has a new skill focus. While early in her coaching journey she leaned heavily on “kick and run” football, her growing knowledge of the game has shifted her focus to building passing and dribbling ability. This change has significantly boosted her players’ development.

Her favourite memory is from her very first game as coach.

“We didn’t know the score, and it didn’t matter — we just laughed, had fun, and figured things out together.”

Turab - U11's Coach

Turab joined Glenfield Lions in 2023, beginning with the U9s and now leading the U11s. His passion for football is unmistakable, and it shines through in every session. That passion, combined with his approachable but high-standard coaching style, has made him a favourite among parents and players alike, so much so that every parent hopes their child gets to be in his team.

What drives Turab most is seeing development, not just in the technical ability of each player, but in the way the team grows together, builds connections, and embraces a shared style of play. For him, the progress is as rewarding as any scoreboard result.

For Turab, discipline, hard work, and respect are the pillars of his coaching. He sees discipline as the foundation for building resilience, hard work as the driving force behind continuous improvement, and respect as the key to creating an environment where players can truly thrive. These values are woven into every session, shaping not just the footballers his players are becoming, but also the kind of people they will grow into off the pitch.

He sets clear standards to bring these values to life. For example, when he speaks, the players are expected to listen. When they show leadership or perform well, they’re recognised and praised. He pays attention to the “little things” too, like addressing when players cut corners or skip parts of drills, because, to Turab, these moments are opportunities to reinforce doing things the right way and respecting the process.

Outside of regular training, Turab also sends tailored at-home drills to parents so players can work on targeted areas of their game. This reinforces the message that growth doesn’t stop when the whistle blows at training. Balancing high expectations with a focus on enjoyment, Turab works to ensure that his players not only improve but love the game along the way.

When asked about his favourite moment with the team, Turab says it’s not about a single match or one standout goal, it’s about seeing the transformation in his players over time. Many of them had never played before he started coaching, and at first they were still learning the basics. Now, they play with confidence, support each other on and off the pitch, and approach every game with focus and determination. For Turab, the real reward is watching them put their training into action, work as a team, and show resilience no matter the challenge.

Both Manal and Turab are developing a respectful, resilient, and dedicated group of footballers at Glenfield Lions FC. By leading through their own actions on and off the pitch, they are not only helping players improve their skills but also shaping them into confident and respectful individuals. Their players are fortunate to have coaches who care so deeply about their growth and well-being.

We are proud to continue our MFA Coaching Spotlight by sharing Manal and Turab’s stories, and we thank them for their dedication to the Macarthur football community. We look forward to seeing their ongoing impact and where their football journeys take them next.