A shining Suns moment

July 22 2014

Shepparton News

The short history of the Goulburn Valley Suns enjoyed its greatest moment on Saturday night.

The Suns scored a memorable first home victory with a 3-2 success against Green Gully, a landmark point during the senior team’s inaugural season.

For the first time, it felt like I was at a proper club.

Supporters poured into the rooms after the final whistle to listen to the players sing Oh, when the Suns go marching in and were invited into a marquee to meet and greet the players, have a drink and a bite to eat.

Senior players were generous with their time after the game, going out of their way to make introductions to different people in the marquee.

The crowd was a huge improvement on the Suns’ past few home games, courtesy of free family and adult passes handed out during the day at Shepparton Junior Soccer Association games.

Suns junior players and their families were there in good numbers and in club colours as well — perhaps a direct result of the decision to hold senior and junior training sessions at the same venue.

The appointment of David Davkovski, a passionate local with a vested interest in the junior operation and a willingness to keep Goulburn Valley Suns in the Goulburn Valley, as senior coach has reinvigorated the club.

Davkovski pushed for junior and senior training to be at the same venue after the previous coach, Peter Zois, moved one training session a week to Melbourne and his soccer with a smile philosophy is paying dividends on the pitch.

In his two games in charge, Goulburn Valley has looked much more assured in defence and has added potency in front of goal — on Saturday night the Suns scored three goals in a game for the first time.

Davkovski also reaffirmed his commitment to local talent in handing 16-year-old Riley Hamilton his first senior start for the club.

The result obviously helped the mood at McEwen Reserve, but it was nice to see more stake holders in the local game get around the Suns.

Goulburn Valley Suns needs to keep the good feeling in the club and continue the proactive approach to supporter engagement it started on Saturday night.

Matt Galea is a News sports journalist.