GV Suns 

Training and game day venues have changed...

The continuing wet weather means McEwen is not available for training this week or for our games this weekend.

Training venues
We have made alternative arrangements for training this week - tonight we train at the Shepparton Showgrounds. On Friday the squads will be split between Howley Oval Tatura and Vibert Reserve Shepparton.

Game day venues
All Under 12 to Under 18 games will be played at Vibert Reserve Shepparton.

Seniors and Under 20s venue is to be confirmed - and we hope to access the main pitch at McEwen but this is not certain at this stage.

But don't miss the games!

Everyone at home this Sunday
This weekend  is a great reminder of the calibre of soccer we are bringing to the Goulburn Valley. On Sunday from 1pm our Seniors and Under 20s host Melbourne City FC.

Melbourne City may not be top of the table but they are certainly a Club with a huge profile - who would ever have thought that one day Shepparton would not only host but also field a team against one of the biggest clubs in Australia!

And its free entry for all members - if you haven't collected your membership pass this is the weekend to make use of it - email Fiona.

Our under 12s through to Under 18s will host another metro powerhouse, Bentleigh Greens - another club with a long and successful history. Remember all junior games are at Vibert Reserve, Archer St Shepparton.

Congratulations 
Fraser Gosstray

GV Suns Under 15 player, Fraser Gosstray has been selected as a member of the NTC (National Training Centre) Futures program.  The program involves weekly trips to Darebin to train with the Under 16 NTC Squad. 

The Future Program is providing talented players aged 15 to 16 who have not advanced yet in terms of physical development, the opportunity to stay in the "system".  The past practice of picking only the biggest and strongest junior players in each age group has been superseded in Football Australian Talented Player Development program.

Well done Fraser

Congratulations U12 players

Are you on duty this weekend?

The following is a summary of the families on duty this weekend - if you can't make it please contact Nat at annanatpat@bigpond.com or phone 0412 355 713.

Reno's wrap

What is a team?
A team can be said to be a unit made up of unique individuals who strive for a similar cause. The dynamics of an effective team should be varied. However, for it to be effective everyone in the team needs to be aspiring for the same outcome (for the team). For this to happen there would be some key aspects which seem to be necessary.

• Everyone in the team is tolerant of one another
• Each individual in the team demonstrates real effort to adhere to the team goal.
• There is respectful yet open communication between all members of the team.

At this stage of the season, it would be appropriate for all members of our teams to meet and reflect upon the year thus far. This would be between players, coaches and managers. Open and respectful discussion should take place in order for the team to re set their goals and aspirations.
This happens in business and education and should happen in sport. It is what we could refer to as a restorative approach in order to build stable relationships. It must be done openly with the utmost respect for each individual in the team.
This approach often happens in teaching which allows the teacher to change their style of instruction (if it is needed) to suit various individuals in the team. It also allows for a different type of’ serious` dialogue between the students and their teacher.
I have used this in football, which has enabled me to change my style in order to work in with the dynamics of the group.
Food for thought.
Is it time for some reflective practices amongst the groups?
Has the group spent some time together outside of the normal training routine? Would this be a worthwhile aspect to consider?
Cheers for now,
 
Reno.

One on One 
Caleb Enders and Billy Browne meet Nick Kalafatis

This week GV Suns under Under 13s players Caleb Enders and Billy Browne asked some tough questions of our GV Suns Seniors coach Nick Kalafatis. If you would like to have a go (seniors or juniors) in our one on ones please contact Paul Uniacke. 


Player stats
Height 184cm    Weight 89kg's     Age 34
Family Married to Sophia, two children.

How did you get started in soccer?
My dad brought home a soccer ball when l was 4 years old, l’ve just loved it since then. Shepp United was my first Australian club

Did playing other types of sport help improve your skills as a soccer player?
I was never interested in other sports l only ever played soccer.

Who is your favourite soccer player? 
Zinedine Zidane and Andrea Pirlo

What advice would you give to young players who want to play for the GV Suns seniors? 
Never get disappointed, never give up, the harder you work the luckier you get in sport, in life 

What is your favorite pre-game meal?      
Italian Spaghetti with cheese, no napoli ( the onion in the sauce is no good during the game)

Do you have any pre-game rituals to prep for a game? I always pray so everyone comes off the field fit and healthy

Favourite movie?
Armageddon because everyone unites to save the planet.

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned on your Soccer journey?
Making friends from all over once the battle on the field is finished.

What type of music do you listen too?           
Not a big music person but l do listen a little to good Greek music

What is your preferred social media?
I am terrible at all types of social media, I do not mind Twitter but Sophia my wife has to help me
 
Thanks Nick, Caleb and Billy

Weekend game wraps

 Under 12s
 Tommy Giuliani

Sunday morning saw our Suns under 12s take on Northcote City in tough, wet conditions. Due to the condition of the main pitch we only had 20 minutes to prepare, thus enabling a reschedule of all grades to the second pitch.This was less than ideal and left me fearful of a sloppy start to the game against very strong opposition.

While we weren't able to  play our high tempo possession game we were able to  keep our "shape" and defend as a unit. Northcote showed their class and superior core skills with crisp passing to feet and a simple structured build up;their ability to keep the ball and execute making us look second rate. We simply must improve our habits and skills against this kind of pressure.

Despite not being able to get quality possession in the first half it was only an error that led to the Northcote goal. They didn't open us up with through balls or get in behind us so this tells us that we took away their time and space. This was one of our BPO team tasks before the game and we performed this very well.

We probably covered twice the amount of ground that Northcote did in trying to recover possession. Injecting Mitch Grumley and Christian Georgia into the game after starting on the left and right wings respectively helped us to stabilise.  Mitch took complete control of his flank and Christian added aggression in the middle of the park.

The second half was most pleasing for me. We worked our way back into the game nicely and really looked like the team most likely to score next. Christian Corso and Tutu Taya looked untroubled at the centre of our defence. Our midfield were winning more 50/50 balls  and moving it quickly into our attacking third where Garang Kuol started to look very dangerous with Gerald Corbo getting closer to him.

As a result of winning the first and second balls in the midfield we won a lot of free kicks in our attacking half and Nick Mori was able to use his dead ball skills to pile even more pressure onto the home team.

In the next couple of weeks we will go to three nights of training a week. We need this repetition to  develop and compete at this level, our core skills clearly need to get better and it's the only way to do it - through commitment and hard work.

We are getting better but so are the opposition,who do three,even four nights a week as Reno Lia did coming through the ranks at South Melbourne F.C.

The game is just 50 minutes on the weekend, but the coaches are with the players for three hours during the week.This is a better indicator of skills and habits. To play that fast flowing possession based football that we aspire to we need to be  able to hit those simple 5-10 metre passes when we build out from the back more often than we are -not just in patches.

When we do, like in the first half against Port Melbourne Sharks or Eastern Lions, it's breathtaking.The brand of football on show in the NPL is pretty special and the ONLY  place or pathway for the talented players in our region. Its  the challenge to play at the highest level,not that empty satisfaction of winning against inferior quality, scoring hat-tricks every week-of winning 10 nil or twenty nil at your school or GNEFA.

Having being involved in games with these score lines, there's no development but for bad habits and they've been some of the worst games I've ever seen. Lets think big picture.... 

Under 13s
Matthew Lelliot

A disappointing day for all involved with the under 13s. In wet conditions on a slippery pitch we failed to adjust to the conditions and at half time were 3-0 down due to defensive mistakes and over-playing from the back.

At halftime we sought to rectify this and the start of the second half could have got a few back but some wonderful saves from their keeper kept them out.

It finished 6-0 as the team tired and gave away the ball again under little to no pressure. The message after the game was that some games you need to be up for a scrap and we weren't and that's why we were punished.

Hoping to get a few boys back who are injured or playing up and get this team to where they were a few weeks ago

 Under 14s
 Nathan Saron & James Lelliot

We have witnessed the boys efforts for half a game maybe up to about 40 mins, but Sunday we saw the 14s fight out the entire match in a gruelling away game.

We had a great chance early on to take the lead but just put it low passed the post. It was an end to end type of game Isaac made some good saves, the boys defended better at corners and our press blocked their other shots or caused them to go high or wide.

We conceded in the second half but the boys didn't give up. Coming into the last 10 minutes,  Josh hit the crossbar from a 30m free kick, the follow-up shot also went close. Minutes from the end Joel went on a run and put a shot just wide.

The game was cut short 5 mins a half and that seem to suit Northcote as the boys were looking capable of an equaliser or more. We had 3 yellow cards so that must be our next area to improve going forward. 

It was a really positive atmosphere at training. The boys increased their work rate practising Mid 3rd possession. Playing out from the back and a session on BP>BPO Transition for video assessment next Wednesday saw everyone enjoy the week.

Well done boys! Results like this don't come easy, but if you are prepared to give that bit extra as a team, none of our opponents will take the points easily.

Under 15s
Shaun Kane and Glen Wilson 

Last week at training we worked on killer passes.  
Unfortunately for us, I think our opposition did also -  as they cut us to shreds in the first 15 minutes scoring 3 quick goals.  Without doubt our worst patch of play all season.

Thankfully our boys managed to shore up the defence as it was certainly looking like we were going to cop a blowout for a while. 

With about 10 minutes to go in the first half we started to string a few passes together and gain a bit of confidence that we could build on. 

The second half was a complete turnaround as we started to take more control and displayed composure on the ball.  With this we played some really solid football and managed to score 2 goals of our own and were certainly finishing all over the opposition.... If only we had started better! 

Thanks again to Stefan in goals, great job wee pal.

Under 16s
Paul Nieuwenhuizen

After the great efforts over the last few weeks, expectations were high going into this week's game.

The boys started the game well creating a number of goal scoring opportunities  and limiting Northcote in the trying conditions. However, we soon found ourselves behind 0-4 due to some poor decision making from the players.

At half time we reminded the team that despite the score line they had played well. But again, we conceded another 4 goals as a result of decision making errors.

After, the match I quickly told the team to forget about the performance they just put on because it was not a reflection on the efforts over the last 5 or 6 games.

A big thanks to Hammad for putting his hand up to play in goals. Also thank you again to the under 15s boys Fraser, Jordan, Kaine, Thomas and Bowdie who all gave 100% when given their chance. 

Under 18s
Pat Kielty & Shaban Mehmet

We went into this game knowing we were facing one of the in form teams and potential winners of the league. We decided not to alter our style or "park the bus" but  to play our normal counter attacking brand of football.  

In the first half this paid off and after conceding an early goal  we equalised through Muzi and then led through Willie's fine effort. As half time approached NCFC equalised through a defensive error and the first half ended NCFC 2 - GVS 2.

At half time we were happy but focused and we knew the first ten minutes of the second half would be  crucial and we must not let them score.  

There is a saying in football that it is a game of two halves meaning the first half can be a completely different game to the second  and so it proved to be. After 57 minutes of play it was still 2 -2 and both teams had their chances to increase the score.

There were only 33 minutes left in the game but what happened in those 33 minutes is something I have never experienced as a coach or a player. We switched off during a NCFC throw in and they ran around the back and scored. Whilst we were still thinking about that they scored again and then our heads dropped.

The game finished 12-3 to NCFC and our further goal was scored by Ron. Players have to realise that a game goes for ninety minutes and we need to remain focused for those ninety.

I understand that some players are saying that NCFC put their best players on for the last 30 mins. This is wrong, they were the same players and we need to stop making excuses for our performance.

To concede 10 goals in 33 minutes is simply unacceptable at this level and changes will have to be made. We will pick ourselves up, move on and we are looking forward to playing the current number two team this weekend.

We will put in a better performance - no more conceding 12 goals. Thanks again to Willie, Alou, Elia, TC and Charlie for giving us a bench even though all five were sore and tired after their own age group game.

Under 20s
David Davkovski & Matt Maiorano

It was a good result for the team this round against Whittlesea. 

They were a very physical team that really made us play. We started the game well creating good scoring opportunities early. We were a little loose defensively and luckily they weren't effective in the final third. Once we settled we were more comfortable in ball possession higher up the pitch which resulted in some good combination play. 

The hunger for the ball was at its highest and when our boys are demanding the ball like this it's a good indication that a performance is coming our way.

The second half was a test for the boys to see if they could maintain their grip on the game and play against an unorganised opponent. We did ok but lost our composure and at times we were undisciplined which resulted in a high number of turnovers.

It's important for any GV Suns player to remember that patience is the key, we can't go chasing a game when your in front by 3 goals. High turnovers means high transition moments which are not ideal and difficult to manage.

We will work on this issue this week as there's no bigger game for us this year than Melbourne City FC. It will be a great opportunity to showcase our boys against Australia's biggest club. 

There were some good performances in the junior grades also which is nice to hear, keep up the good work guys. 

Seniors
Nick Kalafatis & Serkan Aktas

Make sure you read the wrap in this week's Shepp News.