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January 9, 2001 Ernie Merrick appointed as Australia's Head Coach Women's Soccer Australia has appointed Ernie Merrick to coach the Matildas for the next four years. The position includes responsibilities as Head Coach of the Australian Institute of Sport Women's Soccer program. Merrick's period of appointment includes the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Mr Merrick will start on 1 February 2001 following the 3rd Australia Cup this month. The Victorian Institute of Sport Head Coach takes over from Adrian Santrac who was appointed Interim National Coach for the 3-test series against France. WSA President Shirley Brown said, "The giant strides taken by women's soccer in the last four years helped us attract a number of high quality applicants ­ both domestic and international. We have built an impressive base of international experience in the last four years, and we are confident Ernie can bring the right sort of maturity to take the program to the next level. Ernie Merrick possesses institute management pedigree and is a highly respected technician." Brown also added, "The Matildas will benefit greatly from the tournament experience under Interim Coach Santrac. The transition is probably ideal as Ernie can take a back seat role and assess the athletes during the three internationals from 11 to 17 January." In accepting the position, Mr Merrick said, "I am looking forward to the opportunity of coaching women's soccer at elite level. The Matildas have improved immensely over the last few years, and have a good mix of youth and experience. The three matches against France will allow us to benchmark against European teams." The Matildas' recent success has flowed from the AIS national team program, initiated in July 1998. AIS Director John Boultbee said the appointment shows the AIS' continued commitment to women's soccer and its determination to build the Matildas into an internationally successful unit. "Ernie Merrick is a highly thought of, innovative coach," he said. The Matildas played 54 A-internationals between February 1997 and the 2000 Olympic Games. The senior team has had three full-time coaches since 1994 in Tom Sermanni, Greg Brown, and Chris Tanzey.