Draft 2017 fixture - more home games
Its only a draft, but the 2017 junior fixture indicates around two-thirds of our games will be played at home - that's around 18 of a 27 round season.
There are also three scheduled catch up weekends across a season that begins the first week of March and concludes in late September.
The fixture could change but more home games hosted at our upgraded grounds and facilities is fantastic news for our players, families and the Club and hopefully makes NPL soccer even more accessible to the Goulburn Valley's talented players.
We also estimate we will see more than 5,000 visitors to Shepparton across the season - and we will be working hard with local business and sponsors to ensure our local businesses benefit.
Once the fixture is confirmed we will be looking for your help to spread the word to prospective players and sponsors.
2017 coaching positions advertised soon
Our coaches make a huge commitment to the Club and their squad - and in return they have the opportunity to develop some of our region’s most exciting youth players while coaching alongside and against some of Victoria’s best coaches.
Each year we advertise the coaching positions for two reasons - to give our coaches a chance to consider their involvement for the year ahead, and secondly to help us identify coaching talent that can step into assistant coaching roles or even take on positions if required.
Ads will appear in local media shortly. Paul Uniacke is overseeing the process and further information about the positions, including experience and accreditation requirements, is available from the www.gvsuns.com.au, by emailing
secretarygvsuns@gmail.com or by calling Jenna during office hours on 03 5831 6952.
Expressions of interest should be forwarded to
secretarygvsuns@gmail.com by 18 September 2015.
Junior games split across two locations this weekend
This weekend our junior squads take on South Melbourne but our games are located at two different venues.
Under 18 and Under 16s play at Albert Park, while our Under 12 to Under 15 squads play at Princes Park Caulfield. Google maps says its about a 30 minute drive between the two locations so please make sure you confirm you are available to play and you arrive at the correct ground!
Good luck Garang and James
On Sunday Garang Kuol and James Nieuwenhuizen will travel to Perth as members of School Sports Victoria's 12 years and under football (soccer) team that will compete at the National Championships. Good luck boys!
Heidelberg U16 & U18 matches rescheduled to 4 September
Our Under 16 and Under 18s matches against Heidelberg have been rescheduled to Sunday 4 September at Olympic Village - Pitch 2
| Who |
Time |
Pitch |
| U18 |
3:15 pm |
1 |
| U16 |
1:40 pm |
2 |
Murray United matches rescheduled to 17 September
Our matches against Murray United have been rescheduled to Saturday 17 September at Latrobe University Wodonga. We play at home the following day - Sunday - against Richmond SC so it will be a big weekend for everyone!
| Who |
Time |
Pitch |
| U18 |
10:30 AM |
1 |
| U16 |
1:00 PM |
2 |
| U15 |
11:30 AM |
2 |
| U14 |
10:00 AM |
2 |
| U13 |
11:30 AM |
3 |
| U12 |
10:00 AM |
3 |
Is the coach snoozing on the sidelines?
This is a true story from Coach Charlie.
Back when I was still a player, my coaches on the sidelines would scream instructions.
They would try to directly impact every aspect of the game with their voice. It didn't bother me much because I could barely hear them from my position on the field. However, it made huge difference if they were quiet. I had the opportunities to figure things out for myself without instructions that would confuse me.
Situations from our training sessions came up. I recalled what worked and what didn't. More often things worked out. The other times, when I was constantly being "coached", it was nothing more than a distraction.
When I hung up the boots and started coaching, I realised something right away...
As a coach, you can say as much as you want during the week, but during the weekend is when you need to stay quiet. You're probably thinking... why?
Think of it like this... during the week, you are teaching your lesson. On the weekend, the game is the test. In school, your teacher isn't just going to give you the answer. You have to recall what you learned or figure it out for yourself. Trust me... it's great to just sit back and watch your players grow and figure out solutions to the soccer problems.
It's not always going to be perfect. And, you have two opportunities to get your input in to your players. Before the game and during halftime. And, if you have more to say, after the game.
So, if you take anything away from this long winded email, take this... Put in the work at training during the week, so you can enjoy the matches on the weekend.
Charlie - http://www.onlinesoccermastery.com
Under 12s
Tommy Giuliani
Nunawading FC is my favourite fixture.These guys play great football. Performance and development model and not "score line" driven.Thats why Ange Postecoglou's kids play at Nuna!
I'm pleased to say we outperformed them on Sunday.My challenge to the boys was simply to out pass them, play early and quickly and for my midfielders to get their head up and play our attackers 'in behind' if Nunawading wanted to press high.
Our midfield triangle of Harrison Mazzella,Gerald Corbo and Nick Mori dominated their opponents and constantly provided brilliant diagonal thru balls for our our attackers. They gave us space in behind their back 4 and our midfielders made them pay! Tutu, Garang and Christian Georgia in full flight up front a real sigh - they did a lot of damage!!
At the back, Mitch Grumley again showed what a class act he is. He was opposed to their most dangerous forward and beat him in a battle Royale. The whole back 4 was really solid and again looked untroubled.
The 5-1 score line highlighted our domination. It could have been 9-0 but for some wayward finishing and too many offsides. Any errors are to be embraced as a learning opportunity -I don't shy away from highlighting and analysing.
Next week is another huge challenge. Any fool can see the difference in performance between home games and playing away. We need to mindful as parents and coaches that they are still giving their best on the road trips. There are NO easy games in NPL, from top to bottom
Go SUNS#GVSUNSFOOTBALLFACTORY?⚽️??
Under 13s
Matthew Lelliot
After a poor performance against Nunawading earlier this season we were keen to start strongly and that is exactly what we did as we were up 3-0 in the first 5 mins thanks to a Marcus Thomas hat-trick. We came in at half time after a couple of soft goals against the run of play and it was 4-2 although it was dominated by our boys.
As the second half started I asked for much of the same. Our movement off the ball was excellent but we were let down by some of our passes. The boys battled hard but couldn't stop Nunawading from making it a 4-4 draw despite a couple of chances for us to make our lead even bigger.
Great effort from the boys just need to remember that sometimes it's not all about trying to get on the scoresheet and to slow it down and come in to half time with a clean sheet. We will learn from this and we're looking forward to next week.
Under 14s
Nathan Saron & James Lelliot
The challenge for the U/14s this week was to keep the winning/competitive momentum going. It was important for the team to fully understand the defensive role that was needed for playing a team like Nunawading.
We knew that they would play out from the back and look to go into midfielders who got into an effective passing lane. We asked the players to identify this on the park and to get compact by ensuring that they were behind the ball in BPO and that our number 7 and 11 were further in towards the centre of the ground, when the ball was on the other side of the field.
They did this very well throughout the game which was pleasing. We identified zones to mark in defensive dead ball situations. On the whole we got into good defensive positions. Their goal came from a free kick outside the box where one of their players swooped on to the ball after it bounced back into play from hitting the bar. Our players were reminded of their responsibility in these situations.
Our attacking frame of mind was present for most of the game. We troubled them in our front third and scored two very timely goals through Moses and Ciaran. All of the boys responded well to the instructions set for this game.
Our way forward from here is to be better on the ball. We need to be comfortable and work very hard to pass accurately and effectively. To be able to do this every player needs to move into a position to receive the ball. This requires intensity and effort. We need to see this 24/7 at training and in warm ups and games. This builds habit and skills.
Under 15s
Glen Wilson
Last week at training we worked on playing out from the back as well as attacking from the wide areas. During the our game on Sunday, we didn't really get too much of a chance to put this into effect as often as we would have liked. This was mainly due to the way our opposition played.
Our opponents on Sunday play a very high possession game and most of this occurs in their back half. Through some good "pressing up" we managed to get a couple very early breakthroughs (both by Alou) and were 2 nil up in a matter of 4 minutes. They did manage to pass through us and get a score on the board not long after........amazingly 3 goals scored within the first 5 minutes. About half-way through the first half, Alou managed to pinch possession once more and got his 'hat trick', before taking a well-earned rest. The majority of the remainder had us defending very high up the pitch as they controlled the ball exceptionally well, but not looking too dangerous. Half time 3-1 up.
During the half-time break we spoke about the need to be patient when in BPO, and not to just waste energy chasing the ball - we need to be smart and "stand 'em up", as they were never going to hurt us on the scoreboard as long as they knocked the ball around deep in their own half.
To the credit of our lads - we followed this instruction extremely well and worked on our positioning by shuffling from side to side as well as closing down some passing lanes. This really worked well for us, as they tended to try and push things a bit more and force their way through - their impatience then resulted in errors creeping in more often and subsequently gave us more and more opportunities. We did score another 3 in the second half (Hakan, Hamish & Nick) but probably could've easily had 5 or 6. Our opponents did get another consolation very late with a long shot off a rebound that just lobbed into the top corner.
Full time score was 6 - 2 up .....but on a possession basis it was more like 30% to us and 70% to Nunawading.
The next 3 games sees a very tough run for us, but if we play our best - and continue to RESPECT, we are every chance to surprise!
Under 16s
Paul Nieuwenhuizen
This week saw the under 16s again start behind the 8 ball. With only 6 fresh players available it was always going to be an uphill battle to match our opponents possession game.
The players were reminded to keep compact through the middle when Nunawading had the ball and also to press our opponents when they played out from the back. The team managed in the first half to disrupt the passing game of Nunawading and limit their goal scoring chances.
The pressure applied by the boys in our forward 3rd on the opponents defence saw a numbers of goal scoring opportunities created. However, we failed to take advantage of these.
The 2nd half started like the first, however 10 minutes in we conceded a goal due to poor decision-making. As the 2nd half went on our boys started to trier and we soon concede a 2nd goal.
Those that could, lead by Willie, continued to apply pressure but were chasing the ball as the players backing up from the under 15s tried.
Again, thanks to the following under 15 players for helping fill the void, Fraser, Nick, Vince, Lucas, Kaine & Jordan. I would also like to mention Alou and Ali for dropping back to the under 15s.
Despite going into matches with only 5-7 fresh players each week.
The under 16 team continues to develop each week though this does not show on the final score line.
Continue to be positive boys and the development will come.
Under 18s
Pat Kielty & Shaban Mehmet
This was a game that showed why training and playing the game plan is so important. In the first half we did our own thing, played whatever ball we fancied and pressed when we felt it was important, and when we could be bothered. Half time GVS 0 - 3 Nunawading, and they were cruising!!
Half time we had a full and frank discussion about the way we were playing, errors were pointed out, alternative options were suggested and praise was given where deserved. The game ended GVS 0 - 3 Nunawading, they won the first half but we had numerous goal scoring chances second half and we should have at least been level.
Anyway, a match is a game of two halves and the team needs to play in both halves, not one, thats how games are won and lost. Thanks to Elia and Charlie from the 16’s and Kaine from the 15’s for stepping up and giving us a bench.
Under 20s
David Davkovski & Matt Maiorano
It was an entertaining match for the spectators. But to come from behind twice is a good effort from our lads. We introduced Clayton Scott for his debut from the 18's this week who showed some great quality over the last few weeks in the 18's.
We went down 2-0 through poor decision making. Everything else was good for us, we were winning the ball in the middle third and trying to keep possession as we worked up toward goals. Luckily we pegged one back through some good combination in the final third. At half time the guys were instructed to take care of their passes and try to be smarter in the middle third to make MZ disorganised.
We did this and immediately through some patient build up got in behind and scored. Again through an error of ours we allowed the opponent to score but in all honesty we had the momentum and we were confident that we would score again which is what happened. But it was 2 points lost, same as last week which would of put us in the top 3.
Overall pretty happy to see a result and some more boys moved up to the first team.
Good results in the youth also. Well done to all.
Seniors
Nick Kalafatis & Serkan Aktas
On-fire Suns strike victory
Shepparton News | 16 August
ORANGEMEN WORK UP A SWEAT TO FINALLY BREAK LOSING STREAK IN HEART-STOPPING FINAL MINUTES
Daniel Heffernan’s stoppage-time strike proved the crucial ingredient in a winning recipe for the Goulburn Valley Suns on Sunday.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man: Daniel Heffernan hit a stoppage time winner for the Goulburn Valley Suns in a 2-1 defeat of Moreland Zebras at McEwen Reserve on Sunday.
The Suns ended a fivematch winless streak in the National Premier Leagues Victoria Division Two East competition with a heartstopping success against Moreland Zebras at McEwen Reserve.
Goulburn Valley coach Nick Kalafatis described the result as a tribute to his side’s perseverance.
‘‘We have lost so many points in the final five minutes of matches this season, so it’s nice to pick up three,’’ Kalafatis said. ‘‘The boys showed great heart for the club to keep pressing hard for that winner.’’
An entertaining first-half failed to deliver a goal, but you could not say the same about the second stanza.
English striker Heffernan drew first blood for the home side when he expertly tucked away a through ball from James Lelliott.
Goulburn Valley pressed hard for a second to kill the game off, but it was the visitors, still in the hunt for promotion from the West division, equalising on the hour mark.
That set the scene for a pulsating final half-hour as both sides looked to get a winner.
The returning Jamie England came closest for the Suns when he hit the upright and the ball rolled across the goalmouth.
Kalafatis rung the changes during the latter stages, pushing Mohammed Al Gazaly into attack alongside Heffernan. It proved a winning move. As the clock dwindled, French attacker Anthony Gaillard attracted the ball down the left flank and played it into Heffernan.
The former Central Coast Mariners ace had his first shot blocked by the defence, but his second attempt powered into the net for his eighth goal in 11 appearances for the Orangemen.
The win lifts Goulburn Valley to sixth place on the East division, with Kalafatis saying the Suns wanted to finish the season strongly.
‘‘We’ve got Brunswick at home next week in our last home game and then close out with two on the road,’’ he said.
Midfield dynamo Lelliott formed a great partnership with England, who was pressed into full service when Hakeem Alaraibi rolled his ankle during the warm-up.
Despite having not played a game in more than a month due to a groin injury, England impressed in the engine room.
Al Gazaly, Heffernan and captain Cody Sellwood, playing in an attack midfield role, also made telling contributions to the Goulburn Valley cause.
