Club News
Club Activity as at 14th April
Posted: 26 April, 2012
We kicked off the FFV and Bayside FA seniors last weekend. We had good results in the FFV with both the senior men and U21 reserves winning their games against Cranbourne. Given our rivalry with Cranbourne that was a very satisfying result.
The Bayside seniors is booming. We have had 80 players trying to fit in to 60 positions in the mens teams and we have been able to field a womens team to augment our FFV senior womens team.
The Bayside premier, premier reserves, veterans teams each had a win, the Div 1 & 2 and womens teams unfortunately lost.
Our junior president is working extremely hard trying to complete player registrations, team selections, appoint coaches and rebuild our kitchen.. amazing effort Lee!
We have experienced significant issues with junior (and senior) player self registration. We still have many players that have not yet registered themselves with the FFV (u10s and above). We have also been impacted by a recent phenomenon where parents will participate in the selection processes of multiple clubs and then choose the one that suits. While we recognise that this is a right of parents to do so, the impact on clubs is significant in the confusion it causes when selecting players for teams. We will be reviewing our processes in light of these developments for next year.
As mentioned earlier you will notice a couple of new developments that have occurred over the pre season:
New Players Race
The players race has been concreted so we can look forwards to not having to slide up and down the hill on wet days! The race was constructed by Steve from Versatile Landscapes and the job he did exceeded everyone’s expectations. Versatile Landscapes also donated the players race as sponsorship so not only was the job great, the sponsorship was very generous. Looking at the quality of construction I think that it is clear that they do a wonderful job, so if you need some landscaping make sure you give them a call.
New Kitchen
At long last we have a new fit out for our kitchen. The new cupboards were supplied and installed by George Leondakis from Axis Cabinets (installation labour generously supplied as sponsorship). The fit out includes 2 new ovens, 2 range hoods, a hot plate, new sink and taps. We need to thank Lee Atkinson (builder), Scott Powell (plumbing) and Jason Corrigan (electrical) for the tremendous efforts they have put in. All have donated their time and made the project possible.
We have introduced a new pricing structure to provide additional benefits to our members. A new pricing structure in the bar now means that members get discounted drinks. The pricing structure applies at all times and members must show their membership key tag (issued on full payment of membership fees) in order to receive the discount.
The discount now means that members have free access to home matches and discounted drinks.
We are also looking to provide member benefits in social events, so stay tuned for more on this.
On the social front we have held two social events and our traditional Good Friday family day. The two social events had mixed attendance levels. The first night was not well attended at all, the music trivia night was a great night (thanks to Sue and Ian Mackie) but we should have had 3-4 more tables give the size of our membership. Everyone needs to get behind the social side of the club. Please keep an eye on the posters around the club announcing the next social event. Gail Ak is looking after all things social so she is the best person to catch up with. Tickets for the $5000 draw are on sale now.
January Club News
Posted: 30 January, 2012
January has now come to an end and things have been progressing nicely in preparation for the 2012 season. We now have appointed people in all the key roles, canteen manager, bar manager, cleaner and registrar. Probably the most exciting appointment is the appointment of a chef as canteen manager. Talks with the canteen manager have been very positive and we are looking forward to trialling some new things in 2012. We are looking at the possibility of having light meals served on selected nights throughout the season and some new offerings on match days (Saturday and Sunday).
Player negotiations are going well with agreement made between the Club and the majority of the senior squad from last year. Of last years regular senior squad, only Ray Markley and Van Heerwaarden have left the squad. We have welcomed back previous best and fairest winner Ben Cullen and we are talking to a number of potential new players. The U21s are a very young squad and look to have a fair degree of talent. After watching Mladden coach his first practice match I have every confidence that he will get the very best out of his young squad.
Dave Beamish has returned to coach the senior women in the FFV and there are strong signs that we will be able to field a senior women side in the Bayside competition as well.
Our attention turns to the registration of juniors and things are a little more complicated. Our registration day is on Sunday the 12th February. At this stage we have been unable to access the FFV player registration system as none of the current Committee have had training. We will be trained on the 11th February after which we will have access to the system. This means that we have not been able to set up the club structures in time for registration day. The big difference this year is that the FFV require all players to self register.
Registration will occur as usual with players required to fill in a club registration form for 2012. Registration fees should be paid on the day. What will then happen is that we will set up the Club account in the FFVs MyFootballClub system and players can then commence self registration. The Club will then accept players as their club fees are paid in full. We will publish more detailed instructions as we gain an understanding of the system.
Our Australia day celebration was a great day. The Convicts (Australia) v Jailers (rest of the world) match was played in great spirit and as should be on the day, the Aussies won! The roo burgers were a great success but some timid souls could not bring themselves to sample our national fare.
U21 Coach Appointed
Posted: 5 December, 2011
Langwarrin Soccer Club is pleased to announce the appointment for Mladen Kustura as the U21 coach for season 2012. Mladen was a senior player for a number of years at Langwarrin until knee injuries finally and prematurely ended his football career. Mladen was impressive in his interview and showed that his aspirations were very much in line with Langwarrin.
We are looking forward to seeing Mladen work with the talented youngsters and believe that his communication skills, significant football experience and ambition will serve him well in the process. Mladen will be working closely with senior coach, Gus MacLeod, to ensure that U21 players are developed as quickly as possible for senior football.
Preparation For 2012 Has Commenced
Posted: 21 October, 2011
The new committee for 2012 has started preparation for the 2012 season. I have met with the committee twice in the past couple of weeks and we are well on the way to getting things in order for 2012.
My Committee Comprises Of
- Lee Atkinson – Vice President
- Mick Hardy – Treasurer
- Joan Wallace – Secretary
General Committee
- Cal Smith
- Nick Phillips
- Jason Corrigan
- Tanya Wallace
- Lee Petrucci
- Brian Skelly Snr
- Gail Ak
- Kevin Iles
I believe that with these people on the committee we are well placed to repeat the successes of last years committee.
The first thing that we did as a committee was to appoint our senior coach. This season will again see Gus MacLeod at the helm. We are very happy to have Gus on board again. Gus shares the same disappointment and passion to return to the 1st division that the committee has.
It is our intention to return straight back to State League Division 1. We are not blind to the immense challenge that this poses but we are confident that we have the desire and talent to achieve it. I expect to see the majority of our team return in 2012.
As I sat with the players in the change room after that bitterly disappointing playoff defeat I believe that all of them committed to return to the club in 2012.
We have a group of talented young players that have the potential to be Langwarrin greats if they stay for the long haul.
Our U21s (we will operate as an U21 side in 2012) require a coach. We are seeking expressions of interest from any qualified and or experienced coaches that would like to take on the task of developing our up and coming talent.
Our social framework will change next year as we look to adjust our income management. We will be attempting to run social events at least on a monthly basis. I call to all our members and supporters and their friends to get behind these events.
2012 will be an interesting year for the seniors as we have a few local derbys, this is one of the few positives in being relegated to Division 2.
I will look to provide regular information updates on this web site covering all aspects of the club playing group.
Regards
John Heskins
President
