Suns coaches confirmed

March 8 2014

Shepparton News

Goulburn Valley Suns’ inaugural coaches have finally been unveiled.

Suns adviser Melvyn Wilkes played a big role in appointing the coaches for the club’s eight teams, all of which are expected to be ready for season kick-off. Pat Kielty will take on the role of junior assistant technical director, while Paul Nieuwenhuizen will coach the under-12s.

Former Albury Wodonga Football Association representative coaches Darryl Mills and Terry Masters will co-coach the under-13s, with former Cobram Victory senior coach and GV Suns senior player Craig Carley coaching the under-14s. David Davkovski, Charlie Fiore and Jean-Claude Guica will coach the under-15s, 16s and 18s respectively, while Serkan Atkas will coach the under-20s.

The senior coaching staff, which Wilkes continues to advise, has not been completely finalised, but will include Rocky Papalia and Shepparton United premiership coach Nick Kalafatis.

Kalafatis will also play in the GV Suns senior side.

Wilkes said it was great to have so many coaches with local knowledge involved.

‘‘I’m coming in having worked at an (English) Premier League level (with Manchester City), but I’d be na ive not to bring in people with local knowledge,’’ Wilkes said.

‘‘Craig Carley has been through the academy system in the UK and knows the level we’re looking for, and he understands where I’m coming from.

‘‘Nick has played professionally in Greece and is a great addition to the senior squad as a player, but also as a coach because he knows everybody locally who needs to be involved.’’

Wilkes also said trials were progressing well and numbers had been improving.

‘‘If there are any players in two minds, the numbers are filling and they might find if they don’t jump on now, it will be hard to break into the system once we’ve been up and running for 12 months,’’ Wilkes said.

Carley said he relished the opportunity to continue coaching.

‘‘I coached under-14s when I first arrived at Cobram Victory and really enjoyed it,’’ Carley said.

‘‘We’re looking to follow the national curriculum, but we’ll have our own little spin on it, too.’’

The Suns will play their first practice match tomorrow at McEwen Reserve against fellow regional NPLV outfit FC Bendigo, which will play in the second-tier of the new competition.

Under-20s kick off at 2 pm, with seniors kicking off at 4 pm.