After a tough start to life in the NPL2 under 23s, Yoogali SC is changing the way they approach the competition heading into the 2021 season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The under 23s will head into the season under the guidance of Andrew Keady and Danny Roche with first-grade coach Luke Santolin hoping this will get the 23s on the right track.
"We definitely learnt a lot in our first season, and I think we need to tweak a couple of things," he said.
"Under 23s isn't reserve grade, it is a team in its own right with its own goals and own tactics and own ambition, and with that, it needs to have its own coaching.
"It is a squad that is striving to win the league and not just propping up first grade. As much as it was a bit painful last year, we are ready to go full steam ahead in 2021."
Santolin feels that both men are perfect fits for the role.
"Danny was going to come on as part of the coaching staff anyway with the attacking style of things, but once he said he wanted to take a coaching role there is no better man for it," he said.
"Andrew is a born leader. Half the time he is chirping in the background even when he isn't the coach, so he is a natural fit. I'm excited to work with these two next year."
Keady is no stranger to Yoogali SC having been involved with the club for many years and having grown up in Griffith knows the opportunities that being able to play at an NPL level provides.
"I didn't have the opportunity to play NPL in Canberra, and I look at it now, and it is such a wonderful pathway for footballers to get access to the right people being able to view them playing," he said.
"I wish we had that when we were younger. No one was here to watch us. We had to work with our coaches and then move to Sydney. They can stay in their backyard and have the opportunity of high-grade football. I have been there and done that, and I can pass on that information on how to do it."
Danny Roche busted on to the scene last year as one of Yoogali's visa players and now sees this as an opportunity to give back to the club.
"I think Sante and Luke took good care of me and my girlfriend as well here, so it is good to give back to them," he said.
"From the 23s perspective, I saw them at the start of the season, and I thought they looked very good based on the teams I played with back home they would have challenged most teams that I have ever seen.
"I have a good relationship with a lot of them, and I think they need structure in the team and I said that to them throughout the season especially the younger lads, but there is quality there and there is a league title in them."
Training dates will be posted on Yoogali SC's Facebook page.
RELATED