Kaltak moves to Perth, set to launch football academy

RNZ News

17-06-2025

Brian Kaltak in action for his former club, the Central Coast Mariners, in the A-League.
Photo:
Facebook / Brian Kaltak Football Academy
Vanuatu national men's football team captain Brian Kaltak has signed a multi-year deal with Perth Glory, the A-League club has confirmed.
The Western Australia based club said the 31-year-old Vanuatu international had enjoyed a remarkable run of success in the A-League since debuting for Central Coast Mariners in 2022.
In that time, he helped the Mariners claim the Championship in 2023 and an unprecedented Championship/Premiership/AFC Cup treble in 2024.
And as he makes his move to his new club, Kaltak has also announced that he is ready to launch a football academy at home in Vanuatu.
The project is set to launch in July, with the Australian government stepping in to partner with Kaltak with funding.
Playing at centre-back, Kaltak started all but one of the Mariners' games, taking his total number of appearances past the 80-mark.
Statistics for the last season showed he made 21 tackles and completed 37 interceptions.
Kaltak hopes he can achieve the same success with Glory.
"This a new chapter for me and I'm excited for it," he told Perth Glory.
"I was with the Mariners for three years and now it's time to try something new. I think this move will be good for me and good for my football. When I spoke to [Glory Football Director] Stan Lazaridis, he was really passionate about what the club is trying to do.
"This club has a huge history of winning titles, Stan is trying to get it back to where it belongs and I want to be a part of that in my new journey.
"Creating a good environment and getting a good bunch of boys that gel well together, that's what makes the biggest difference and that is what I want this club to be."
Lazaridis believes that Kaltak has the potential to become a huge favourite with the club's Members and fans.
"It's impossible not to love the way Brian goes about his business," he said.
"He's an incredibly strong and explosive defender who puts his body on the line every time he steps onto the field and is 100% committed to everything he does.
"Those qualities, plus his know-how in terms of what it takes to win the A-League, will make him an invaluable member of our squad and an ideal mentor for our younger defenders in particular.
"Securing Brian's services is a genuine coup for the club and I'm really excited to see the impact he will make on and off the field for us this year and beyond."
Brian Kaltak, left, during a meeting with Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat in Port Vila discussinghis project to develop football and sports in general in the country. 13 June 2025
Photo:
Facebook / Ministry of the Prime Minister - Vanuatu
Meanwhile, Kaltak has secured support from the Australian government to help launch his youth football academy.
Vanuatu Daily Post
reported this week that the sponsorship was announced by the Australian High Commissioner, Max Willis, during a ceremony in Port Vila.
"We are really excited about partnering with Brian on his academy," Willis said.
"Sport plays such an important role in bringing people together, promoting healthy practices, and building strong community bonds."
Kaltak said he was delighted with the support for the academy, which will offer free programs for Vanuatu's young players.
"I'm sure that what we have can help mentor our next superstars of Vanuatu in the future," he said.
Kaltak said the academy hopes to cater for young people who are faced with limited access to structured football programs.
He hopes this initiative will create a strong pipeline of talent capable of reaching international standards.