Preseason 2005 - as seen by the coaches
Both coaches entered their first pre season on the other side with a certain degree of trepidation - where do we start?? We felt that it was important for all players to feel that they have been starting this year with a clean slate - that the perceptions of the past are not necessarily that of the future, additionally, for the younger players to have the time to stake their claims for positions in the senior teams.
We have been very lucky to have the use of Kingston High School for a majority of our sessions so far, as without this venue I don't know where we would be training.
The first introduction to the lap track came as a shock to the system for a majority of the group. Only half completed all of the allotted three laps, with standout performance from Marchello Marchiolli, Ross Hinkley and Chris Sanita who carved up the course and set the standard for future attempts. A Sunday session in January brought about one of the few lowlights, with the two coaches and an accompanying goalkeeper journeying from an East Coast holiday location for a session which had 'guaranteed numbers', only to find 7 players in attendance. The return trip to the East Coast holiday location was accompanied by a lot of swearing!! The maths was 1 player for every 70kms driven that day!!
Moving right along. The attendance problem was turned right around with the introduction of two words - Laser Skirmish. There's nothing like guns and camouflage gear to get players to training. It can be safely said that an appreciation of those that do defend our country was gained, with many players making full use of their 'extra lives'. Again the younger players performed well, with Sanita and Chas Hughes running around like madmen and on concluding the game, the guns had to be surgically removed from their hands. Adam Clydesdale made headlines, remaining undefeated in the base game. Clydesdale triumphantly emerged from thick scrub, after combating a mystery opponent only to see that his team mates had all lost their lives, the purpose of defending the base was also lost and the game was over. The cavalry was late and lost! The final skirmish game was a 2 on 2 last man standing to discover the KLUSC player that was truly at one in commando green and large weapon in tow. That man, surprisingly to some, was Adam Hinkly, emerging from the bush victorious. All in all a good day.
Next step was an intra-club game at Sandown. 25 players turned up and all participated with commitment and desire which surprised some of the spectators that venture down to watch. It presented the coaching staff with the opportunity to see players in different positions and start to piece the jigsaw puzzle together. Charles White turned in a very strong performance dominating the tight conditions in midfield with his strength and strong forward surges. The game was also notable for some good goals, none better that the strikes by Adam Hinkley and Luke Barlow, the latter being closer to the half way line that the attacking goal box - the beaten goalkeeper will have to work hard to live that one down.
Last Sunday saw the first annual KLUSC Quadrathalon, a team event made up of a run, bike, kayak and board paddle, with each player having to complete each leg. The eventual winning team consisted of Ross Hinkley, Adam 'Bear' Coleman, Jack Watchorn and Jerry Appleby, who outlasted other teams over the course of the 2 hour event. There were however many fantastic efforts and James Correy received the prize for best leg, that of the very difficult board paddle. This leg took a few prisoners with Ziad and Matthew Lyle displaying tremendous determination to finish against all odds - determination we hope they take on to the playing field with them. Others, including a certain coach, found the going very tough, with A. Hinkley, allegedly falling asleep on the board! And I cannot fail to mention the effort of one Marchello Marchiolli in sinking not one but two kayaks.
From here on in it is important that players continue to get to as many sessions as possible. An intra-club game on Sunday 19th of February will be the last session before the two squads for the Summer Cup are selected. There will be flexibility with these squads, as summer cup games will still be considered a part of the preseason program.
Our goalkeepers, Jason Fowler and Bear Coleman, are working hard at their distribution in particular and the coaching staff are hoping that this will allow for them to contribute to the attacking side of the game as well as the defensive side. New recruits Jerry Appleby, Geoff Freeman, Adrian Periera and Scott Francis have been working hard and this coupled with the continued development of our younger players, such as Mark Iseli, and the inclusion of Kingborough stalwarts like Geoff and Peter While, means that the task of coming up with a starting line up for Game 1 vs. Clarence Utd at Wentworth Park on April 15th is still a long way from being decided. Importantly, we will also endeavour to get senior players Charles White and Willy Walker back from teaching posts in Queenstown for as many games as possible.
Unfortunately, we have incurred some injuries in the process. Chas Hughes is managing a groin strain and we look forward to him being right for Summer Cup game 1. Zac Thomas recently did a hamstring which will see him off the track for a couple of weeks, AJ Periera a calf strain and 2 weeks and Peter While damaged a shoulder which we will get the results of in the next week. Injury management by the club and players is crucial for our success this year and the future - unfortunately we do not have that many players that we afford to have good one watching from the sidelines.
While this has all been happening Brad Hughes in his role as club Football Development Manager has been forging links with Knox City Soccer Club in Melbourne and this has exciting prospects for not only the youth program, but, the club as a whole.
Additionally, it has been heartening for the players to hear of the successful appointment of a new committee for 2005 and their desire to continue to raise the bar. We hope that on field performances will this year at least match that of the club off field.
As the grader takes the top off the number one playing field we look forward to the second half of preseason and the start of the summer cup.