Cameron Millar, at just 30 years old, is the youngest Head Coach in this year's Australia Cup Round of 32. Front Page Football caught up with Millar ahead of Moreton City Excelsior's clash with Campbelltown City to discuss his coaching journey and future aspirations in the game.
Cameron Millar is the youngest Head Coach in the 2024 Australia Cup Round of 32. (Image supplied)
Millar is set to lead Moreton City Excelsior into Tuesday night's clash against NPL SA outfit Campbelltown City at their home ground, Wolter Park. This match comes just a year after he reached the same stage with Moreton Bay United.
The current side came together through a merger with Albany Creek Excelsior at the end of 2023. Last year, Moreton Bay United hosted NPL Victoria outfit Heidelberg United in the competition. They conceded twice after 12 minutes, eventually losing 3-0. Millar admits that lessons were learnt from that experience.
"I think last year, facing an interstate team, we went into a lot of depth with our preparation," he told Front Page Football.
"In hindsight, it may have been a little over the top. This time around, we will treat it with a more balanced perspective and look to approach it just like any other game."
Excelsior was the first team pulled out of the hat in the Round of 32 draw, being paired with Campbelltown City from South Australia’s NPL, and Millar is realistic about the test ahead.
"They are a big club with a strong history, and they recently won the Federation Cup," Millar noted.
"They have some really good players, some of whom have A-League experience, so we know it's going to be a huge challenge."
In just his second season at the helm, Millar has steered Excelsior to consecutive appearances in the Australia Cup Final Rounds while achieving a second-place finish in the NPL Queensland last year. However, his side narrowly missed out on a Grand Final victory at Suncorp Stadium in the Finals Series, being edged 1-0 by Scott McDonald’s Gold Coast Knights. This year, Excelsior is in second place on the ladder and is again gearing up for finals football.
Millar’s coaching stock is high, and the Head Coach, who juggles commitments with his role as an HPE teacher at nearby Albany Creek State High School, admits he would like his next step on the coaching ladder to come in a professional environment.
"I would love to get into the pro game, whether in the A-League, Asia or elsewhere," Millar stated.
"But along with my fantastic assistants Macca (Mackenzie) Smith and Dave Harris, we are highly committed to the project at Moreton City Excelsior.
"I should also mention the amazing support team we have, who do an excellent job helping the players and staff."
The club has several promising players, including club captain Declan Smith, who Millar believes is one of the best centre-backs in the country outside of the A-League Men.
"Declan turns 26 soon, but I think he is still more than capable of playing at a higher level," Millar said.
"We have Zac (Kierpal) and Kez (Marquez Walters) too, plus Ben Holliday, who was voted NPL Young Player of the Season last year, and Nathan Foster (a 23-year-old goalkeeper who has kept 12 clean sheets in all competitions in 2024)."
Strikers Kierpal and Walters have formed a formidable partnership during the 2024 season, contributing 32 NPL goals and counting. They should give the Campbelltown defence a thorough examination.
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Marquez Walters has formed a formidable strike parntership with Zac Kierpal in the NPL Queensland this season. (Image: Josh Springfield Photography)
When asked who has been a notable influence on his burgeoning coaching career thus far, Millar names the club's Technical Director Matt Poole and Adam Piddick (a former Moreton Bay Head Coach who is currently in charge at NPL Victoria side Dandenong Thunder) as having been great mentors. Further afield, he also points to Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou as acting as a trailblazer for young Australian coaches.
"Ange has certainly lifted the profile of Australian coaches," Millar acknowledged.
"To have achieved what he has, going from the A-League all the way through to an elite level, is inspirational."
A big crowd is expected at Wolter Park on Tuesday evening to see if Millar can add another footnote to his impressive coaching journey. The Australia Cup Round of 32 clash between Moreton City Excelsior and Campbelltown City kicks off at 7 pm AEST.
Click here to buy tickets for the match, which will also be streamed live and free on 10 Play.
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