Kristy Helmers
NCAA Division I – Nicholls State University
Louisiana
From: Tuggeranong United FC – Capital Football Women's Premier League
Full Athletic Scholarship – NCAA Division I
The Journey
Kristy Helmers's journey is one of the most complete and inspiring stories in Australian college soccer history – a story that began with Upper 90 identifying a quiet, determined teenager from Canberra, and culminated in her returning to her alma mater as its head coach. Growing up in Canberra, Kristy starred as a forward for Tuggeranong United in the Capital Football Women's Premier League, winning MVP in both 2013 and 2014. She was named a shadow player for the Australian Under-19 school girls representative team in the same years, and at Erindale College she won the All Rounder award and achieved the highest academic scores on her team. It was at Erindale College that Upper 90 Founder John Stevanja first spotted her. "I saw her traits early on," Stevanja recalls. "She was this humble, quiet kid off the field, always polite, always with a smile on her face. But on the pitch, she had this steely resolve. She worked hard, led from the front, and could bang away goals. I knew she was going to be a great fit for the USA college soccer system." Kristy enrolled at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana – an NCAA Division I program in the Southland Conference – in 2016. The impact was immediate. In her freshman year she became the team's second-highest point scorer, tallying 17 points on 6 goals and 5 assists across 16 starts. Across four years at Nicholls she logged 3,927 minutes on the pitch, contributed 12 goals and 8 assists across 70 appearances, became a team captain, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics in 2019. But Kristy's story didn't end at graduation. She went on to complete an MBA and a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership at Friends University in Kansas, simultaneously serving as Assistant Coach and Graduate Assistant for the Friends University women's soccer program (NAIA), helping the Falcons reach the NAIA National Tournament in 2021 and 2023. She also became Club Director at Wichita United FC, gaining broad experience in player development and sports administration. In May 2024, Nicholls State University announced the hiring of Kristy Helmers as Head Coach of Colonel Women's Soccer – the program where her own career had blossomed. The full circle moment was celebrated across the Australian college soccer community and beyond.
Challenges Overcome
Arriving as a teenage international student to a small university town in Louisiana was a significant personal leap. Despite the cultural adjustment, Kristy thrived – her discipline and work ethic, forged in Canberra's competitive football environment, translated seamlessly to the demands of NCAA Division I. As a player she navigated multiple coaching changes at Nicholls while remaining a consistent, unifying presence for her team. As a coach, she has taken on the challenge of rebuilding a program that had experienced difficult seasons, embracing the task with characteristic determination.
Achievements
NCAA Division I player at Nicholls State University (2016–2019): 70 appearances, 3,927 minutes, 12 goals, 8 assists, 4-year starter and captain. Team's second-highest point scorer as a freshman (17 points). Named Head Coach of Nicholls State University Women's Soccer (NCAA Division I) in 2024 – returning to coach her alma mater. Helped Friends University (NAIA) reach the National Tournament in 2021 and 2023 as Assistant Coach. Shadow player for Australian U19 schoolgirls team (2013–2014). Capital Football Women's Premier League MVP (2013 and 2014).
"It is going to take a lot of hard work from myself, my staff, and our ladies, but I am confident with the continued support of our administration, support staff, alumni, and fans that we will get there together!"
— Kristy Helmers, Head Coach – Nicholls State University Women's Soccer (NCAA D1)
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