Sunderland AFC is delighted to confirm SAFC Ladies coaching duo Mel Reay and Steph Libbey have signed new contracts to remain on Wearside.
As part of an exciting new era for the team which includes this summer’s upcoming rebrand to SAFC Women, Head Coach Reay has signed a full-time rolling contract, departing her coaching post at Gateshead College to solely take charge of the Lasses.
Assistant Head Coach Libbey has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal to work alongside Reay, continuing on a part-time basis following the team’s season of progression back in the FA Women’s Championship.
Upon completion of the deal, Reay said: “I’m delighted to extend my stay here and become full-time. I’ve had a long affiliation with the football club, and coming across into a full-time role was something I’ve wanted to do for a while.
“I feel it’s the right time. A lot of the youngsters I’ve seen through Gateshead into our SAFC squad are now graduating – the likes of Neve Herron, Jessica Brown and Libbi McInnes.
“We have an exciting project here having held our own in the league last season, which was hugely important for us. I’m ready now to give everything to the football club in a full-time capacity.”
Libbey echoed the anticipation for the future, adding: “I’ve learned a lot in the past year working alongside Mel, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do together moving forward.
“Her full-time role is more than deserved with her loyalty to the club, and last season we saw as a good stepping stone. We’ve got plenty more to build on, and this is only the beginning.
“I knew when I came here it was going to be a project – the women’s game is growing in the North East, we’re trying to keep attracting bigger crowds and the Women’s Euros this summer in England will reinforce that. We’re really excited for the future here.”