Albury United will enter its 50th year with a changing of the guard in the women’s ranks due to Frank Vescio stepping down as the senior women’s and reserve grade coach after two years.

Club president Marty Chambers said Cigana’s vast experience as a coach at both club and representative level, is important as Albury United looks to rebuild its female divisions. 

“Tony has extensive coaching experience, including involvement as an AWFA representative coach for the past 12 years,” Chambers said. 

“He was the senior women’s coach at Wodonga Diamonds since 2006, before stepping away approximately 18 months ago to focus on the junior girls teams.”

Chambers said Albury United had been in talks with Cigana for two months prior to the end of the season, but wanted to wait until the off-season to make the announcement. 

“He has a good relationship with the younger players especially due to his representative coaching duties and his resume is phenomenal,” he said.

“There might be a bit of a changing of the guard with a few long-term stalwarts considering retirement, but there is always lots of talk in both the men’s and women’s clubs at this time of year.”

The president hinted more coaches are set to be added to the women’s roster before the start of the 2017 season.

Cigana said Albury United approached him due to the battle they’ve had for playing numbers in the women’s ranks and he was happy to help out.

“I wanted to get back into the senior coaching ranks as well and I’ve sort of got the whole cake by working with the juniors as well, which I’m stoked about.

“I’m not saying we’re going to be a champion team right away, we just want to improve on our finishing position from this season.”

Cigana has already taken a positive stance with the club by establishing a junior girls academy on Wednesday nights focused on getting eight to 12-year-old players interested in the game.

Training is set to commence for Albury United on the first Wednesday in January for both men and women’s clubs.

Meanwhile, Chambers added 2016 men’s division one co-coach Dave Smith will be missed by the club as he takes on a new opportunity with the Murray United under 18s next year.

“We wish Dave all the best because he’s done a hell of a lot for our club,” Chambers said.

“We hope he’ll return to Albury United one day.”

Along with the signing of Cigana, Chambers has also been busy helping to organise the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations to be held across the weekend.

A number of players and members of the club, past and present, will be in attendance for the special occasion.