Newcastle University Football Club
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Introduction to Newcastle Uni Mens Soccer Club 2010
Welcome to all current and new players considering playing soccer in the 2010 season for Newcastle University Mens Soccer Club (or Uni FC for short). The club has a fine history and combines success on the field with a strong social culture and understanding of the needs of students. Each year there is a large influx of new players and the club has a strong multicultural membership. The current mission of the club is to provide the opportunity for Newcastle Uni students to play football across all levels of ability. The majority of players at the club are students but the club is not exclusive to Newcastle University students and non-students are very welcome. Last season the club fielded six teams and will field a similar number of teams for the 2010 season. The highest level at the club is in the Inter District (Ids) squad which play in the Newcastle Interdistrict First Division. The Ids squad is coached by myself (Michael Barnes), Richard Bartlett and Chris Moylan. While being competitive, the Ids squad is still very social with a number of club social functions throughout the season and visits to our sponsor’s pub (The Albion Hotel) at the end of match days. For players not selected in the Ids squad or for those who do not wish to trial, the club has three all-age teams. Each team includes 16 players and plays at a less competitive level than the Ids. The teams generally do not have coaches but are administered by a couple of senior players. All-age teams still train two nights a week, but generally less commitment to training is required. Recent History Since 2007 the club has quickly moved up through the Interdistrict divisions. In 2007 the club won the Interdistrict 3rd Division minor premiership and grand final in first grade and lost the grand final in reserve grade. Promotion to the Interdistrict 2nd division followed for the 2008 season where the club once again won the minor premiership in first grade, but lost the grand final. Reserve grade came third. Once again promotion for the 2009 season followed to the Interdistrict 1st division which required the fielding of three sides. First and reserve grades both came second over the season and lost the grand final and third grade finished mid table. The club is looking to improve on this in the 2010 season and reaching the semi finals in all three grades is a high priority. Preseason and Training Preseason training for Uni FC began on the 13th January at Empire Park Bar Beach for all players interested in playing at the club. Training has since moved to Ray Watt Oval at the University with sessions running on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm to approximately 7:30 pm. It should be noted that the mosquitoes can be bad at the Uni at this time of year so all players should bring mozzie repellent. In a couple of month’s time the mossies will be gone. For all players interested in trialling for the Ids squad, the frequency of training is set to increase with a third session per week soon to be added. The third session each week will occur on the weekend and this training regime will then be similar to the workload each week during the season. The first weekend session will start on Sunday the 21st of February at Merewether baths and will take the form of a beach run. Any player interested in trialling for the IDs should attend but all-age players are most welcome. When daylight savings finishes Tuesday and Thursday training will move to Number 1 Oval at the Uni (next to the squash courts) and the start time will change to 7:30 pm. Squad Selections The coaches are already in the process of looking at players for selection in the Ids squad. A squad of approximately 48 players will be selected this year and will be based on ability and the contribution the player can make to the club. Players from last year’s squad are NOT automatically selected. Selection will be in two stages with the first 30 or so players selected by 4th March and the final 18 or so players selected by 16th March (subject to change). When uni starts back it is likely that over 100 players will turn up wanting to play. The coaches try to have a look at every player who is interested in trialling and do our utmost to select the strongest squad possible. However, with so many players trialling, it is easy to miss good players if aren’t regularly at training during this period. Every year good players have missed out on selection because we haven’t seen enough of them.
The hint I give to players wishing to trial is to make sure you are at every session when Uni resumes and that players who are at training prior to Uni starting give themself an advantage as the coaches get to see them more often and in a smaller group. By being at every session, not only do you give yourself the best opportunity to show the coaches what you can do, but you also demonstrate commitment and reliability which are highly valued in our club. Once the Ids squad has been selected, players are eligible to play in first, reserve or third grade each week. The grade in which a player plays each week is determined by the coaches with the priority being the success of the first grade side. The next priority is reserve grade followed by third grade. While the priority of the club is the success of the first grade side, each player within the squad and indeed each player in the club as a whole are all treated equally. Each week the makeup of the sides for the weekend’s game are decided by the coaches in a meeting held prior to the Thursday training session. Decisions are finalised during the Thursday training session and teams are announced at the end of training. The team lists are generally also emailed to all of the Ids squad members on Friday. I look forward to seeing you all at training
Michael Barnes Head Coach Newcastle University Men’s Football Club
Michael.Barnes@mater.health.nsw.gov.au |
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