Riv on the Record – Adrian Leijer[Soccer coach]

THIS week I had the great pleasure of being joined by former Socceroo and Coerver Coaching Geelong director Adrian Leijer. Spin it!

How did you first get into soccer, and what was the pathway like on the way to becoming a foundational figure at Melbourne Victory?

I got into football through my family. My dad coached my older brother’s team, and I spent most weekends on the sidelines hassling my parents to let me play. With a Dutch father and an English mother, you could say football was always in my blood.

I was fortunate to have an older brother, which meant I played up in age for most of my junior years. I’d train with his teams and play at lunchtimes with his mates at school. Growing up in Dubbo, NSW, all we did was play sport and I loved it.

Everything changed when my family relocated to Jan Juc when I was 14. That move really kick-started my career. Not long after arriving, I joined the Victorian Institute of Sport. My parents were driving up and down the freeway three to four times a week so I could train. From there, I kept setting new targets and ticking off new goals.

My first major target was selection for the Australian U17s, followed by signing with Melbourne Knights in the old National Soccer League. At 17, I was playing senior football and travelling to Melbourne/interstate six days a week. It would often be with my Dad, and sometimes my Opa, driving me to training.

The NSL set me up perfectly for the launch of the A-League. While training in England with Everton, I received a call from Ernie Merrick telling me he wanted me to be one of the first players signed by Melbourne Victory. It was an exciting moment for me.

You were known for your leadership and defensive grit. How did playing under Ernie Merrick and alongside characters like Kevin Muscat shape your leadership style as a young player?

Leadership came quite naturally to me. I captained almost every team I played in as a junior, including Fulham’s reserves.

I’ve always had high standards and expected the same from those around me. My time under Ernie Merrick at the VIS was where I learned how to be a professional, both on and off the pitch. We trained and played against older players and men, which was a huge learning curve. You quickly learn how to compete, survive, and earn respect in environments where players are playing for their livelihoods.

Playing alongside Kevin Muscat was invaluable. As a 19-year-old, he took me under his wing and guided me through my first few seasons. He set the tone every single day in training and games. He was such a competitor, and I soaked everything up. I learned quickly that as a young player, you have to go above and beyond. You need to work hard, stay humble, and keep your head down. That’s how you establish yourself in a professional environment. I would’ve done anything for Musky during our playing days; as a captain he gave you so much confidence and back you in every situation. He also let you know about it if you weren’t pulling your weight. I always knew he would develop into an amazing coach. As tough as he was, he was such a smart footballer.

Representing the Socceroos is the pinnacle for any Australian player. Can you describe the feeling of pulling on the green and gold for the first time?

I was probably proudest the first time I represented Australia at U17 level. I was fortunate to go on and represent the U20s, U23s, and eventually the Socceroos.

By the time I reached senior level, I felt comfortable in that environment. Now that I have kids of my own, I realise my parents and family were probably even prouder than I was. You’re representing everyone who supported you along the way, your family, teammates, and every coach who helped shape your journey. Standing there in the green and gold is something you carry with you forever, whether its junior level or senior level.

Many players struggle with the “what’s next” after retirement. Was youth development and the Coerver Coaching philosophy always the plan?

Not initially. I still had a year remaining on my contract in South Korea when, on Christmas Eve, I was offered a full-time role in sports marketing at Adidas Australia. After four years in Asia, I was mentally exhausted and physically in constant pain. I called my club and told them I would retire, and within a week I had started my new role.

Adidas had sponsored me since I was 15, so it felt like a natural transition. I worked across major sports like the Australian Open, NBA, Formula One, AFL, Coerver Coaching, and the 2023 Women’s World Cup. I managed the football and rugby league portfolios, which was a dream role, especially when Australia secured the Women’s World Cup.

The turning point came when my daughter asked if she could start playing football. The moment I stepped back onto the pitch, I knew that’s where I belonged. Parents soon started asking if I would train their kids, and having worked closely with Coerver Coaching through Adidas and being familiar with the program from my own youth, it only took one conversation with the director of Coerver Coaching Australia to get things moving.

Coerver Coaching Geelong officially launched in January 2022.

As someone deeply involved at the grassroots level, what do you think is the biggest challenge facing Australian football pathways today?

Good coaches and clear pathways. Young players need environments that prioritise long-term development over short-term results, that’s exactly what our method of coaching does. That’s why I place such a strong emphasis on coach education.

The reason I brought Coerver Coaching to this region was to ensure kids in regional areas still have access to high-quality programs and elite-standard environments. When kids arrive and see a professional setup, it gives them energy and motivation to improve.

The biggest challenge is balancing aspiration with enjoyment. Too many kids and parents are in a rush. Take a breath. If they’re good enough, the cream will rise to the top. Let them enjoy being active, being with friends, and loving the game. My own journey proves that. I was living in Dubbo until I was 14 and still made it to the English Premier League.

What’s good about where we live?

Community. It’s everything. People here look out for one another and support each other.

Kids can play sport, surf, ride bikes, and simply be kids. The beaches and waves are amongst the best in the world, I try to get in the water as much as possible myself which gives me a release. It’s a special place to live, raise a family, and to build something so meaningful for local kids makes me proud.