Former Belt Up Amateur League Coaches of the Year Alex Carter and Nicky Carter have been appointed to lead the WA Amateur Team on their annual tour of Malaysia.
Alex Carter, who steered North Perth United to four Amateur Premier championships between 2013 and 2020, has been named head coach.
Nicky Carter, no relation, an Amateur Premier title-winning coach with South West Phoenix in 2021, is his assistant.
The select side will play three matches in a week in November, including one against a Malaysian Super League team.
“During my seven or eight years coaching at North Perth, I always kept an eye on the WA Select Team that goes to Malaysia. It was always something I’ve wanted to do, to represent WA, and I’m excited to have this opportunity. And it’s great that Nicky is the assistant,” Alex said.
The pair have invited an extended group of players to two trial matches at the Sam Kerr Football Centre early next month, with the final squad to be announced later in October.
“Over the last three months we’ve been out and watched games every weekend, usually more than one, and built up a network of players we are interested in looking at from the Premier League and lower divisions,” Alex said.
“We’ve had really good feedback from players we’ve approached. And the clubs have been unreal in allowing us to speak to their players during the season. Even getting feedback from different coaches in the lower leagues on who we can keep an eye on. They’ve been really receptive, and I’m very grateful for that.”
The two coaches agreed that the 2026 Premier League season was one of the most competitive in years, with Wanneroo City claiming the title ahead of Noranda Emerald on the final weekend. Both teams were ultimately promoted to the State League; however, their players are eligible for the Malaysia trip.
“Anyone who has partaken in the Amateur League this year is eligible,” Alex said.
“It will be a tough challenge, both the standard of the teams we will play against and the conditions. Speaking to people who have been on the trip before, you need to pool from your full squad because three games in a week is a heavy load, especially in those conditions.
“But that makes it exciting and challenging to pick players we feel can fill certain roles when we go away to Malaysia.
“It’s quite exciting to put all those boys from different clubs on the same pitch. And for the boys, it’s a reward for their efforts during the season. They get to see where they’re at individually and as a group, and it gets them a bit of exposure if they’re aiming for higher pastures later on in their career.”
Nicky Carter is equally enthusiastic about the tour and believes the WA Team will have plenty of talent on show.
“I have always had an interest in the Amateur Team set-up, so when I saw there was a position vacant, I applied. It’s great to be working with Alex; I actually did my C Licence with him about 10 years ago,” he said.
“I think we will have a really competitive team. A lot of the players we are choosing from could play State League and NPL, and some already have. But because of work or family commitments or whatever, they choose to play Sunday Amateur.
“Now they get to test themselves, not just playing against good teams but the conditions as well. And as a coach, I’ve never done tournament football where you have to back up within a few days, so that appeals to me. It might be the only time you ever do it.”
Football West General Manager – Football David Lewis said the two men were stand-out candidates for the coaching roles.
“They both bring fantastic pedigrees from the Amateur competition, along with a wealth of experience and a strong understanding of the players and the level of competition,” he said.
“The trip to Malaysia is a great experience for the Amateur players, and we’re confident the team will perform strongly under Alex and Nicky.
“There has been real enthusiasm for the opportunity, and Football West thanks the clubs and Amateur Standing Committee for their support in making the tour possible.”
