ROB ASKEW HAS STEPPED DOWN FROM HIS POSITION AS NPL WOMEN’S HEAD COACH WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AFTER A SUCCESSFUL 6-YEAR SPELL WITH LIONS FC
Lions FC would like to officially announce that NPL Women’s Head Coach Rob Askew has decided to step down from his position at the club with immediate effect to prioritise ongoing health issues.
Rob Askew joined Lions FC ahead of the 2019 season as the club looked to refresh our women’s program. Already one of the longest-serving women’s coaches in Queensland Football, Rob joined the club following a successful seven-year spell at The Gap.
Our NPL Women’s program was still in its infancy when Rob Askew walked into the club, and to say he has overperformed would somehow feel like an understatement.
Today, with Rob Askew’s remarkable work, Lions FC is proudly recognised as the most successful women’s side in Queensland football’s recent history.
In his debut season with the club, Rob Askew led us to the double, securing the NPL Premiership and NPL Championship for the first time! The beginning of a beautiful era in orange.
The 2020 season was difficult. The COVID-19 Pandemic halted football around the world, and the season wasn’t completed until December. Despite the obstacles we faced, our Lions Women went on to lift the NPL Championship again, with a Grand Final victory over Logan Lightning. The same season also saw the beginning of our historic 61-game undefeated streak.
Rob Askew steered our Lions Women to a historic treble in 2021, lifting the NPL Premiership, NPL Championship, and Kappa Women’s Super Cup titles in an unbeaten year. We defeated Western Pride in the Kappa Women’s Super Cup Final, which was played on the 100th anniversary of the first women’s football match to be played in Australia. Then we raised our third consecutive NPL Championship title with a victory over Gold Coast United.
People often say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but Rob Askew challenged that statement when he repeated history in 2022. Another treble, another unbeaten season. We defeated Souths United to lift the Kappa Women’s Super Cup and Gold Coast United to lift the NPL Championship title. Our fourth successive Championship.
In 2023, our Lions Women secured the Kappa Women’s Super Cup for a third consecutive time, defeating Souths United once again to retain the title. We also won our third straight NPL Premiership, but were defeated in the NPL Semi-Finals to prevent an unprecedented three-peat treble. 2023 was also the year that saw our historic 61-game unbeaten streak end. The streak lasted 837 days, with 58 wins and three draws. We scored 291 goals while only conceding 29, and put together a run of 20 consecutive victories. Eight trophies were won during this period. An achievement that will likely never be repeated.
With a talent for developing and promoting talented players, Rob Askew saw over a dozen Lions FC Women progress from the NPL into the A-Leagues, signing professional contracts with the best clubs around Australia. With the core of our ‘golden generation’ Lions Women moving on ahead of the 2024 season, the club were in a rebuild.
Rob put together an exciting young side, pushing above their limits in a highly competitive season. He steered the girls to a Kappa Queensland Cup Final that unfortunately ended in defeat, before guiding his side to an NPL Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium. Despite a brave fight and a tireless effort, Brisbane City won the game in the 98th minute, sentencing Rob Askew to his first trophyless season at the club.
Our Lions Women are currently in a close top-four race between Souths United, Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane City, and Gold Coast Knights. Rob Askew’s final game at Luxury Paints Stadium was a thrilling 4-3 defeat against Eastern Suburbs in a game that saw us fight from three goals down to equalise.
Rob Askew shared his parting thoughts as his brilliant era comes to a close.
“I would like to thank everyone at Lions for the opportunity to coach at the club.
I was ready to retire from football when I was approached in 2018, so I am grateful for the extra years of success that we subsequently achieved.
I am not saying I am retiring, but I am looking forward to time away from the game to explore other things and prioritise my well-being. I would also like to wish the team success for the remainder of the season.
We have hit a rough patch, but I am sure with the talent the side has, a change of fortune is just around the corner.”
Lions FC General Manager Rob Scanlon spoke about Askew’s spell at the club.
“Personally and on behalf of the board, we extend a heartfelt thanks to Rob Askew for his exceptional service and leadership over the years.
Rob has been an integral part of the club’s success, particularly in shaping our female football program into one of the strongest in the country. His passion, vision, and tireless commitment have been instrumental in laying the foundations that continue to support the ongoing success of our women’s teams.
As the most successful female coach in Queensland, Rob’s impact extends far beyond our club—he has elevated women’s football across the state. His presence and input will be sorely missed, but his legacy at Lions FC will endure for generations to come.”
As a club, we would like to thank Rob Askew, once again, for his invaluable, incredible, and historic accomplishment in growing our NPL Women’s program into the proud success that it is today. With 12 trophies lifted with pride, Rob has been a cornerstone in the progress of Lions FC, and we wish him the best of luck.
