A-League player adds spark to Fire training

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1 A-League player adds spark to Fire training Fire talks NPL and Football Development with guest Zac Anderson The Fire Under 15 Boys were lucky enough to have Central Mariners player Zac Anderson as a guest at their training sessions last week. We had a chat to Zac about his experience with the Fire, his thoughts on the NPL set-up and the development of football on the Coast: What were your thoughts on the training sessions you've been involved with? Every year I come back, and I can t believe how strong the standard is, and how well football is progressing on the Coast. There are some very talented boys and coaches coming through the ranks which is fantastic for football on the Sunshine Coast. What are your thoughts on Sunshine Coast FC's set up? I wish the fire development setup was around a few years ago when I was playing on the Coast. Its enormous for the Coast how much money has been poured into developing the game, and the structures which have been put in place for their development. Players will hopefully reap the rewards in the coming years, as I see a bright future for football on the coast. What is your background and how did you make it to where you are now? Zac Anderson (right) was impressed with the quality of players coming through the Fire s NPL program when he was a guest at the Under 15 Boy s training last week. I grew up in Caloundra, playing for numerous Sunshine Coast sides like Caloundra United, Currimundi and Maroochydore, as well as representing the Coast at representative level. I loved my football, and loved living on the Coast, but realised that I needed to prove myself on a bigger stage to further my prospects of ever playing football professionally. So I moved to Brisbane, and went to boarding school to play in what was at that time a larger, stronger competition. I received a scholarship to the QAS after playing for QLD at the Nationals in 2006, where I really started to understand what it would take to become a professional footballer. Working with some amazing coaches and players my football progressed well and I signed for Gold Coast United in Here I had two years under Mike Mulvey in the youth team, before turning professional in Being a central defender playing at the highest level of domestic competition in Australia, did you pass on any knowledge to our the players that play in the same position? If so what? I was extremely impressed with what I saw, and quietly apprehensive at how good some of the boys were at such a young age. Hopefully I can keep my job for a few years yet, but I can see a lot of talent coming through, it makes me feel extremely proud and humbled that we are producing such talented boys and girls. Advice I gave at times was probably beyond what they should actually understand at their age, but how young is too young? I could see that they were eager to learn and improve so I just gave little pointers here and there. Mainly on defensive positioning and transition, which they all took on board really well.

2 A-League player adds spark to Fire training Fire talks NPL and Football Development with guest Zac Anderson Continued from page 2 In your opinion how important is it that we have an elite pathway Club on the Coast for male and female players? It is the most important thing! Like I said earlier, I had to move and leave my family at fifteen to play at a level which would propel me forward, giving me some opportunity to make the grade. Now, players on the coast have the ability to train day in day out here on the coast, and travel throughout QLD, playing in the strongest competitions. The NPL set-up is a dream come true. What are your thoughts on playing against an NPL side in this years FFA Cup? I m excited! Its exactly what football in this country needed. We need more pathways and opportunities for players to play at an elite level and be provided with more opportunity to play against the best in Australia. Personally, I know A- League teams won't underestimate NPL sides, as there are a lot of talented players playing in State competitions throughout Australia, who could step up and play professional football. However, I know as the competition is apart of our pre-season plan, it will be used as an important tool in preparations for next season. Being close friends with Daniel Carew, what impresses you about him as a Coach and person? I have known Dan and his family for a long time. Dan has been very supportive of me for many years, when I was young trying to push my way through the ranks, and we have always shared a common interest for the game. Dan is a young coach who is eager to learn and extend his already extensive knowledge. He has always had a fantastic football brain, which comes from playing at a high level but he's knack for coaching was always evident. I enjoy coming home and seeing how Dan is developing as a coach, as it is rare to have someone so young and yet so enthusiastic about a career as a coach. I know he has what it takes, and I endeavour to get him down to get him working with my team, once we start back in July. Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Its hard to say, as it is extremely cut-throat at the top level, but depending on how my playing career goes I wouldn't rule it out. It would be hard to walk away completely, so I know I will be involved in some respect. Maybe I can be Dan's assistant, if he wants me. What is the best advice you were given as a young player? Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard. (Wayne Bennett) Nikolas Taylor Colby Robinson Leilani Westland

3 Exciting Tour news; City Group invest in Yokahama F Marinos There is exciting news for Sunshine Coast FC ahead of our Japanese Tour; City football Group, owners of Manchester City FC, Melbourne City FC (formerly Melbourne Heart) and New York City FC, are now part owners of our close friends J-League Club Yokahama F Marinos. It is exciting for us to have a link and pathway into this terrific group of football Clubs. Positions for the 2014 International Tour are filling up fast and we only need a few more players to form a team to take over. We are close to having the required numbers across the following three squads: U14 Boys, U15 Boys and U16 Boys. If you are interested in attending the International Tour please send your expression of interest to reception@sunshinecoastfc.com.au Who are Yokahama F Marinos? Yokohama F. Marinos is a Club competing in the J-League. The Club is based in Yokahama City in the Kanagawa Prefecture. The Club was formed in 1972, and Yokahama F Marinos is the longest serving team in the top flight of Japanese football having played at the top level since This also makes the team one of only four teams to have competed in Japan's top flight of football every year since its inception. The team has been crowned Asia champions four times and J-league champions three times, making Yokahama F Marinos one of the most successful J-League Clubs. You can visit the Club s website on the following URL: The Club also has a YouTube channel:

4 Fire players prepare for Girls National Youth Championships The Girls National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour is fast approaching with the tournament set over five match days from Monday, 7th July to Friday 11th July. Fire players Jazlyn Salih, Aimee Scott, Melissa Taft, Hannah Taylor and Meisha Westland have been preparing to compete in the U13 Girls State Team, while Michelle le Roux, Kirsty Clifford, Aqua Meanie and Lisa van Hooijdonk have been preparing with the U15 Girls State Team. This is a great opportunity for the players to compete at the highest level, gain experience and showcase their talent at national level. The girls have worked hard over the last couple of months to prepare for the tournament and will meet in Brisbane on the 2nd July for a pre-nationals camp allowing the coaches to make final preparations before the competition. Sunshine Coast Fire wishes all the girls the best of luck! The full list of players representing Queensland are: Under 13 Girls: Players: Elli Chapple Tamara Cunningham Leah Davidson La-tesha Foster Sharn Freier Ellie Hampson Georgia Harding India Kubin Hannah Lane Jazlyn Salih Aimee Scott Rebecca Snell Melissa Taft Hannah Taylor Meisha Westland Georgia Wright Laini Freier* withdrawn due to injury Luka Yoshida-Martin* withdrawn due to injury Coaching Staff: Coach Catherine Roncato Asst Coach Gary French Team Manager Robyn Orchard Sports Trainer Azra Rantucci Under 15 Girls: Players: Ayana Aoyagi Elly Caspanello Kirsty Clifford Louise Coyne Jenae Farley Emma Gibbon Michelle Le Roux Jessica McGrath Nakoya McLennan Aqua Meanie Madison Reid Chloe Robertson Khiana Shervey Tanesha Stanley Clarece Strudwick Lisa Van Hooijdonk Coaching staff: Coach Rebecca Price Asst Coach Karyn Longbottom Manager Dianne Sheahan

5 Spotlight on Daniel Carew Under 15 Boys Coach How did you become involved in football? When I moved from Melbourne to Queensland when I was really young, football was more popular here than AFL so that's when I started playing and have been involved in football ever since. Which team is your favourite? I support Arsenal in the Premier League and Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, but I have a massive soft spot for Valencia CF in the Spanish League. Who was your favourite player growing up? John Carew and Pablo Aimar And your favourite current player? Ozil Which teams have you played/coached for? I played locally for Kawana, Beegees, Coolum, Woombye, Noosa, Farnborough FC and had a short spell with Woking FC. Coaching: Junior coaching with Kawana, Coolum, and REP and had the youth team at Beegees. This is my second year coaching the Under 15 Boys age-group with SCFC Fire. What s been your best football moment? Winning a Grand Final at senior level with Kawana and also winning State titles with Sunshine Coast. Coming off the bench for Woking FC when I was on trial against a Southampton reserve squad was also special. And best coaching moment? Winning the U18 grand final for Beegees against Woombye was massive, the Coolum U17 Grand Final was also a big moment and although it was disappointing to get runner-up in the Gold Coast cup in 2013, it was a great moment being in the Grand Final. What do you enjoy about coaching? I enjoy building a squad s cohesiveness and producing exciting and talented prospects. I also enjoy the mental test of coaching; thinking of how to fix problems that occur on the pitch and off the pitch and how I can influence players to become not just successful footballers but successful people in and outside of football. You are coaching the U15 Boys team this year, how have they been shaping up? We have had our ups and our downs and we have had some very special performances with football that was perfect. A few exciting products are starting to emerge and the players have started to grasp how I want them to play and it showed in our recent performance against the Strikers. Having said that, the boys are still young kids and learning all the time so I'm sure we have more lessons ahead.

6 Player Spotlight Sean Bentley plays in midfield for the Under 13 Boys. He has previously played for Lilli Pilli, Noosa and the Fire U12 Boys last year. Sean s favourite Club is Everton FC and his favourite player is Christiano Ronaldo. His best football moment so far has been Sean Bentley Midfielder Under 13 Boys Captaining the Fire U12 Boys last year. Sean list NPL Coach Ben Cahn as his biggest football influence, and his ultimate ambition is to become a professional footballer. Player Spotlight Tia Brockfield is a winger for the Under 13 Girls team. From Bundaberg, Tia played for North Bundaberg before joining the Fire this year. Tia s favourite player is Lionel Messi and her favourite team is the Brisbane Roar W League team. Tia lists her Dad, Vince, as her biggest football influence. Tia s best football moment so far has been scoring from a free-kick in an U11s game. One day she hopes to become a professional footballer. How well do you know your NPL teams? 1. Which NPL teams will play A-League teams in the FFA Cup Round 32? 2. Name the home towns/cities of each of the 13 NPL First Teams. 3. Name the starting goal keepers for each of the regional (non-brisbane based) Clubs. 4. Name the top four NPL First Teams on the ladder after Round Which Club s first team suffered their first loss on the weekend? 6. Which two QLD NPL teams logos feature flames? 7. Which team will Olympic FC take on at home in the FFA Cup Round 32? 8. Only one NPL crest does not feature a football which team does it belong to? Tia Brockfield Winger Under 13 Girls Harry Arnison in the U12 Boys game against the Brisbane Strikers. 9. Which A-League teams did FNQ Heat player Alex Smith play for?

7 Congratulations to all School Holiday Camp players! A group of young footballers have been honing their football skills this week with our Fire coaches and First Team players at Stockland Western Fields. More than 70 players between the ages of 6 and 16 participated in the four-day Holiday Camp, which provided them with intensive training with SCFC s NPL coaches. Players participated in training activities with NPL coaches before playing a World-Cup style tournament to finish off each day. On the last day, the pressure was on for players to help their teams make it to the World Cup grand finals! Belgium was champion in the U11 to U16 age group, while Columbia was victorious in the U6 to U10s age - group, cheered on by dozens of screaming fans! The 70 players then assembled in the canteen for the coaches awards. Congratulations all the players on a great four days, and to the following award recipients: Senior Age Group: Player of the Week: Aaron Smith Sportsman of the Week: Harry Fletcher Most Improved Player: Kyan Bryant Junior Age Group: Player of the Week: Tyler Eaton-Heath Sportsman of the Week: Noah Lawler Most Improved: Jett Thompson Rising Stars: George Scott and Cooper Thompson

8 Sunshine Coast FC is proudly sponsored by: Your business here Your business here See your business here See your business here Advertise here from $50 *Minimum three weeks - includes ad in each week s Sunshine Coast FC Newsletter and in fortnightly Match Day Guide during the season.

9 Contact us: Office: (07) Managing Director: Noel Woodall Administration and Events: Robyn Chapman E: Media and Communications: Emily Wilson E: Technical Director: Kevin A herne-evans E: kevinevans@sunshinecoastfc.com.au Academy Director: Ben Cahn E: bencahn@sunshinecoastfc.com.au How well do you know your NPL teams? Last Newsletter s Answers: 1. Which two NPL teams have qualified for FFA Cup Round 32 so far? Strikers and Olympic were the first two to qualify. 2. Who is sitting in second place in the NPL Golden Boot competition? Charles Mendy, Moreton Bay Jets 3. Which two teams in the NPL have logos which feature a lightning bolt? Brisbane Strikers and SWQ Thunder 4. Which First Team is undefeated in the season so far? Palm Beach Sharks 5. Which team plays in a red and white striped strip? Olympic FC 6. Who does striker Matt Thurtell play for? Brisbane Strikers 7. Which two teams played a 2013 NPL semi-final rematch on Sunday, May 25? Sunshine Coast Fire and Brisbane City 8. Which team calls Mallawa Complex home? Palm Beach Sharks 9. Which Club s emblem features the Southern Cross? Sunshine Coast Fire