NORTH GEELONG’S NPL Boys’ squads will kick off the new NPL Juniors season this Sunday when the Warriors host sister club Melbourne Knights at Elcho Park.
PHOTO: First year North coach Craig Filer surrounded by his U16s team (from left: Luka Volarevic, Daniel Harland, Seb Krueger, Marcus Skoko, Tristan Harris, Conor Dunne, Marcus Trupkovic, Hugo Leban, Noah Pitout, Bailey Pappalardo, Jacob Samayoa, Oscar Black, Paul Belossi. Absent: Jordan Plummer, Harry Waugh)
It’s the opening round of an 11 round Western Division grading competition, which will then lead into a 22 round actual league season.
Whilst some will argue that the season is too long, first year Warriors’ Junior coach Craig Filer thinks it’s a good thing for both the players and the coaches.
“There is no doubt it’s a long season for the players, parents and coaches but the reality is at 33 weeks we are still playing much less than half the games they do in Europe,” said the popular Welshman who will take charge of the U16s, along with his assistant Josip Zilic.
“What it does allow, however, is for the coaches to have more time with the players throughout the year which is imperative if Australia is going to get back to the glory days of developing top class professional footballers,” added the former Point Cook SC senior coach who also operates his very own CMF Soccer Coaching school along with his son and North senior player Morgan.
When asked what he is expecting this year from his team, Filer admitted it will be very much a development year.
“Over half the squad are new and seven of the new players are playing up a year so it’s going to be a challenge for them. However, since I stepped onto the Elcho Park pitch back in December for trials, the attitude of all the players has been exceptional.
“I have expressed that they will be asked to step outside of their comfort zones and to really learn some of the key fundamentals of playing at a high level. We are aiming to keep our standards very high, both on and off the field.
“There are things that myself and JZ (Zilic) are helping them in terms of not just the playing side but also the mental side and it’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” he added.
Filer conceded the team will stick to playing a certain style – win, lose or draw.
“Our aim will be to develop good all round players who continually push themselves to be a better version of themselves every time they step on the park,” he concluded.
We wish all the North Junior teams the best of luck for the coming season, starting with Sunday’s season opener against the Knights in the ‘Croatian derby’.
SUNDAY’S ROUND 1 FIXTURES:
(All games played at Elcho Park vs Melbourne Knights)
9:30am – U13s (coached by Cameron Siketa/Assistant: Joe Madunic)
10:45am – U14s (coached by Ante Stosic/Assistant: Joey Didulica)
12:00pm – U15s (coached by Josip Skoko/James Rammage)
1:30pm – U16s (coached by Craig Filer/Assistant: Josip Zilic)
