It is an understatement to say Stevie-Lee Tiller is heavily involved in football.

The 19-year-old plays both football and futsal at a high level. She also coaches both sports, and she's the administrator for a futsal academy. 

We caught up with Stevie-Lee to find out more about her playing and coaching journey, as she steps into leadership roles that support and develop the next generation of girls in football and futsal. 

MAIN PHOTO Stevie-Lee Tiller playing for Melville United vs Onehunga, 20th July 2025. Photo: Kybosh Photography.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey in football and futsal? How did you get started as a player and a coach? Was there a moment or a person that inspired you?

"I started playing football when I was 4 for Hamilton North, and later transitioned to Hamilton Marist. During those years, I played in all-boys teams, which really helped me fall in love with the competitive nature of the game.

"In 2018, I moved to Melville United, where I’ve been for the past eight years. It’s also where my coaching journey began. My coaching journey began early on inside futsal, starting when I was around 14 years old.

"Helping set up drills, organising teams, but now 5 years later, I take more of a lead coach role with several teams at Titans Futsal. My football coaching journey started at the end of last year when I was asked to coach the Melville United U17 teams at the Western Springs tournament. From there, I was offered a coaching role for 2025 in the Melville women's academy and have also taken on the role of assistant coach to the Melville U18 NGYL. 

"One person who really stands out is Tarena Ranui, my current football coach. She goes above and beyond for everyone involved in Melville’s female programme. Over the past year, she’s given me guidance, trust, and leeway while I stepped into my coaching role, which has been an incredible experience."

Stevie-Lee Tiller, second from left, playing social futsal with the Titans.

You coach both football and futsal. How do those experiences complement each other?

"Football and futsal each have unique qualities that make them amazing. Football gives you the space and time — 90 minutes — to solve problems and create threatening situations for the opposition. This has helped me in my football coaching.

"Futsal, on the other hand, is much faster and demands quick thinking about tactics and strategy. I also love using futsal to focus on the technical aspects of the game. Both experiences feed into each other and make me a more well-rounded coach."

Where are you currently playing, and what coaching roles do you have?

"I currently play for the Melville United Women’s first team. We recently won the NRFL Women’s Championship League, earning promotion, which is beyond exciting. I also play futsal for Titans Futsal Club here in the Waikato. Last season, I had my first experience playing for Papakura City FC in the Ford Futsal SuperLeague, which was amazing and something I hope to do again.

Stevie-Lee Tiller, second from left, with the Melville Women First Team.

"On the coaching side, I work alongside Tarena Ranui at Melville in the girls’ academy, focusing on the under-14 Waibop team, who recently won their league. I also coach and administrate at Titans Futsal. I’ve been coaching at Titans for the past five years with kids aged 6 to 16."

What do you enjoy most about coaching girls in football and futsal?

"Coaching girls is so much fun. Their energy, attitude, and excitement to learn together as a team is unmatched. I also love how supportive they are of each other. It creates such a positive and encouraging environment."

What’s your ‘day job’ outside of football/futsal?

"I’m currently a full-time university student studying primary teaching, and I also work part-time as a learning assistant. Alongside playing futsal for Titans, I manage the club as head administrator."

What’s your approach to helping players build confidence and resilience?

"I tell my players to keep showing up. No one’s journey is easy, but the highlights always outweigh the challenges. By consistently showing up for themselves, everything else tends to fall into place."

Stevie-Lee Tiller, coaching in the Melville United Girls Academy.

What are some ways you’ve encouraged positive sideline behaviour from whānau?

"From coaching my under-14 girls team this year, the support from parents has been incredible. I know it can feel stressful to entrust your child’s development to someone else, but building trust and open communication has made all the difference.

"I encourage parents to stay involved, ask questions, and challenge my thinking so we can work together for the kids’ development."

How important is it to have more female coaches in the game, and what difference does it make?

"Having Tarena as my coach for the past seven years has been the reason I stayed in the game.

"Seeing someone who believes in the same things I do, understands the female body and mind, and looks like me is a constant reminder that I’m capable of great things. If I can be even half the woman she is inside female football, I’d be overjoyed."

What changes have you seen in girls' participation in football and futsal over the past few years?

"Girls are becoming more driven and passionate about the competitive side of the sport, which has always been my favourite part.

"I’ve noticed a massive increase in girls being brave enough to go after team goals and not be afraid to fail."

What’s the most rewarding part of coaching for you?

"The most rewarding part is watching the young players grow, develop, challenge themselves, and become amazing people. Seeing that transformation is what makes coaching so worthwhile."

Stevie-Lee Tiller, coaching Melville United Girls U14s.

If you are interested in coaching, we have courses to get you started coaching all ages and levels of player. Check out the coaching page on our website.

For many coaching courses, the theory part is done online at NZF Learn, with WaiBOP Football offering practical coaching courses throughout the year. 

Article added: Monday 08 September 2025