Sport
18 April, 2024
Maryborough Soccer Club ready for a big 2024 Ballarat District Soccer Association season
Excitement is growing for the Maryborough Soccer Club ahead of their first game of the season on Sunday, with a new head coach, a renewed — and growing — first team list, and booming junior numbers. The blue and whites will take to the field at...
Excitement is growing for the Maryborough Soccer Club ahead of their first game of the season on Sunday, with a new head coach, a renewed — and growing — first team list, and booming junior numbers.
The blue and whites will take to the field at Russell Square on Sunday against Ballarat North United knowing that they’ve had a successful pre-season, and although it’s a tough ask first-up against last season’s runner-up, club president Garry George is buoyant about the potential fortunes of the club in 2024.
“We are really pleased to have managed to recruit some good new players, which brings in fresh energy, and we’re massively pleased to pick up Jack Schafer as our first-team coach, not just for his coaching abilities and his leadership qualities, but he’s a really good footballer as well, which is doubly good for us,” he said.
Schafer was one of many that was recruited thanks to Maryborough’s beneficial off-season futsal competition throughout the summer, with Schafer soon putting his hand up to help out as first-team coach, given his experience in both soccer and football.
“I played a bit of futsal with Garry and the guys in the off-season,” he said.
“I’ve played soccer all my life until I was 28, but I haven’t played for six years. I enjoyed playing futsal in the off-season, and decided to take on another challenge.
“After a few sessions, I could see that Garry needed help, so I put my hand up.”
Schafer says it won’t be an immediate turnaround, with the focus at the moment rewarding the consistency of his players when it comes to their attitude away from game day.
“I’m not expecting a massive turnaround straight off the bat, but having played footy and soccer for clubs that are successful, and not as successful, as a club, you want to start making steps with the culture off the field,” he said.
“I want to chip away at it. If we win a few games, the guys enjoy themselves, and our retention is high, we’ve hit our goals for the season.
“We’ve had good numbers at training, but it’s about keeping that momentum up. When people turn up, it’s acknowledged that people enjoy themselves and they get something out of it.
“I want the guys to enjoy their training, get them enjoying playing football, turning up as a group, and that translates to playing better football and enjoying each other’s company on the weekend.”
George says Schafer has brought a fresh energy to the group, leaving him optimistic about what could be achieved this year.
“On the field, he is a calm presence and a good player,” he said.
“He reads the game well and he’s experienced, so all of those things are a massive bonus, but also to have those fresh eyes, and not having to go through the trauma that the club has had on the field in recent years.
“He’s energising, he’s come in enthusiastic and fresh.”
George says 18 players have signed on for the season, with the hopes of adding a few more for added depth.
“We did a futsal comp over early summer, which has brought in a few new people. We have 18 signed on with a couple more still to come,” he said.
“We have lost a few really good players from last year’s list, but we have some experienced and talented footballers that will freshen things up in the group.
“It’s a busy time, but we’re pleased with the progress we are making as a club. We have established the first team and grown that with a solid player base with players who are committed and have bought in to the club’s identity.”
It all starts with the first clash against Ballarat North United, and George believes the opportunity is there to strike while the iron is hot.
“It’s a big ask, but it’s the best time to play them,” he said.
“They are a talented team who finished top of the league at a canter last year, but we have a lot of lads coming in who are looking to establish themselves in the team. There’s a level of enthusiasm and freshness. We’ll go down there and give them a game, I’m sure.”
George says on top of the added optimism about the senior team, the junior base is booming.
“We have a solid under 14s squad that have moved up from the under 13s who have been together for a while, and the growth in the younger kids age group is phenomenal,” he said.
“It’s hard to keep up — I’ve actually had to turn away kids now as we have two under nine’s teams and some good sponsorship from local organisations and charitable groups which wants to see soccer grow.
“We are at full capacity in the junior ranks, and that bodes well for the future.
“We have a little girls’ group starting next week, which we’re hoping to get up and running. There absolutely is a place for it.
“Even if some of them go off and play football down the track, the skills and qualities they develop with us is beneficial, and if we get to keep a few, it’s better for us.”
George says he hopes to also secure facilities for the club in the future, knowing that there is significant growth and interest in the Maryborough Soccer Club, who will have to bide their time until round five to play their first game at home against Bacchus Marsh.
“It’s something we are working towards. We are in a bit of a limbo at the moment,” he said.
“Using a facility with a cricket oval is a challenge, but it’s something we’ll start talking to the public about, our members and the fact that we need to put our best foot forward now to get a home ground to really grow this club.
“Membership is on the up, there’s an appetite for the game, and we need to be able to provide our members and the community with the appropriate facilities.”
Maryborough’s first game against Ballarat North United kicks off on Sunday at 3 pm.
