Welcome to pre-season 2017!
Our newsletter won't be weekly during the pre-season but we still want to keep you up to date on events and activities at the Club - and answer any questions you may have about season 2017.
If you have any questions please email them through - it's quite likely others will have similar queries and we can use the newsletter to make sure everyone is up to date.
Welcome to new players and families
Our player trials are underway and we have been very pleased with the interest from across the Goulburn Valley and beyond. If you registered for trials, we have added your email to our newsletter distribution list to keep you updated on next steps and pre-season.
2017 Player Trials - next steps
What happens next?
After we complete the junior trials next week the coaches and technical directors will confirm the 2017 squads.
Letters of Offer
Letters will be emailed to everyone who registered for trials. The letter will advise if you have been offered a place in a 2017 squad. If you have not provided an email address or you do not receive your email by Monday 13 November please email secretarygvsuns@gmail.com.
What if I don't make the squad?
There has been a lot of great talent on display at our player trials this year. This means some players will not make the squads for 2017. We know junior players develop at different ages and stages so not making the squad in 2017 may simply mean you are not ready for this year - but it may be a very different story in 12 months time. With this in mind we may also run mid-season trials during 2017 and we encourage interested players to come along.
2017 Junior Squads Welcome Meeting
If you are offered a place in our 2017 junior squads you will need to come along to the 2017 Welcome Meeting beginning 6 pm sharp on Thursday 16 November at the Shepparton RSL.
At this meeting we will
- provide player welcome kits and further information about the 2017 pre-season and NPL season
- confirm player/membership fees, payment dates and arrangements
- measure new players for their 2017 uniforms
Pre-season for players and parents
Our junior squads will commence pre-season training before Christmas. These early sessions are a chance to meet your coach, your squad members and to get an understanding of the curriculum and what we expect from GV Suns players.
For parents the pre-season is a chance to meet other parents and to learn more about the roles we will ask you to assist with including
- Team Manager or Team Managers to coordinate the squad across the season.
- Match day officials including marshals and linesmen - and training we can provide.
2017 Player Kits - when will they arrive?
Last year many NPL clubs were frustrated by delays to the supply of their 2016 kits. This year, to ensure we do not experience the same delays, all players will need to confirm their uniform sizes at or before the 16 November Welcome Meeting. This should ensure you receive your new kit before the March 2017 season kick-off.
Until you receive your kit you are welcome to wear appropriate sports wear at training - the GV Suns training kit is a white shirt, blue shorts and socks. The cost of your kit is included in your membership fees.
Who are the coaches for 2017?
We have had good interest from current and new coaches and we look forward to confirming 2017 coaching arrangements shortly. Please keep in mind that as a rule we try to avoid parents coaching their own kids and we also try to match the skills and experience of our coaches to the right age groups so bear with us while we work through the process.
When will the 2017 season kick-off?
The FFV usually announces the full fixture in the December prior to the start of the season. The current draft schedule has the following dates.
- Seniors season kick-off Sunday 5 February
- Juniors season kick-off Sunday 5 March
The draft junior season schedule also includes:
- 18 home games
- 9 away games
- 3 catch-up rounds (if required) and 2 byes.
Exact number and dates for byes, catch up rounds and the home and away games will be shared with players as soon as we receive the final schedule.
Player trials - what are we looking for?
Selecting junior players is about selecting talent for the future. For this reason it's as much about a player's potential and 'coachability' as their current skills. We also know that kids will grow and develop at different rates and stages which means height and strength can change significantly in even one season.
So what are our coaches looking for at our junior player trials?
The FFA Skill Acquisition training program focuses on developing four core skills when in possession of the ball:
- Striking the ball - This includes all forms of striking the ball such as short/long passing, shooting and crossing
- First Touch - Controlling the ball with all allowed body parts
- 1v1 - All moves, feints and accelerations to get past and away from an opponent
- Running with the ball - At speed (with a lot of space) or 'dribbling' (in tight areas), this includes techniques for protecting the ball and changing direction
These four core skills cover 95% of the actions of any outfield player when in possession of the ball during a game of football . The other 5% consists of actions such as heading and throw-ins.
Along with these skills we are looking for 'evidence of coachability' - in other words the ability to listen and apply what they learn to improve their mental and physical approach to the game. It doesn't mean a player will get it right first time - but they will demonstrate an ability and willingness to try and apply the learnings.
Click on these links to learn more about the FFA Curriculum, how it applies to our coaching and development programs and for more infomation about the four core skills.
AFS Tournament
Kick-off 9 am Saturday
More than 100 teams will descend on Shepparton for the Australian Football Skools tournament this weekend. With games scheduled across 10 pitches it's important you check where and when your squad will meet prior to each match.
- Under 12 to Under 17s play two 20 minute halves.
- Under 11 & Under 10s play two 15 minute halves
Have you registered online? If not please contact your team manager for the code and details.
The following table is a summary of GV Suns games for Saturday but please note games may change so please check for updates at the AFS website.
| Kick off |
Squad |
Pitch |
| 9 am |
U15 |
1 |
| U10 |
9 |
| U12 |
5 |
| 9:45 |
U11 |
8 |
| 10 am |
U14 Girls |
1 |
| U13 |
4 |
| U16 Girls |
6 |
| 11 am |
U17 |
3 |
| U14 |
6 |
| 11:15 am |
U11 |
7 |
| 12 pm |
U15 |
4 |
| U10 |
10 |
| 1 pm |
|
|
| 2 pm |
U13 |
1 |
| 3 pm |
|
|
| 4 pm |
U12 |
2 |
| U15 |
5 |
| 5 pm |
U14 Girls |
3 |
| U11 |
10 |
| U13 |
4 |
| U14 |
6 |
| 6 pm |
U16 Girls |
2 |
| 7 pm |
U17 |
1 |
Parent roster for AFS Tournament
A roster has been emailed to all parents advising when you are on duty across the weekend.
If you have not received the email or you need to discuss alternative time slots please call Jacqui Stojanovski by phone or text on 0407 400 800 IMMEDIATELY.
- Your roster times have been based around your child’s draw so that you will not miss any game time.
- We also need additional volunteers for set up and food preparation on Friday afternoon. If you are able to help out, please contact Jacqui.
- We rely heavily on the help of our members to make this a successful fundraising event for your Club, and we appreciate all of the time taken by all of our volunteers!
Congratulations -
2016 Coaches Awards
Reflecting on the 2016 season was just one aspect of the GV Suns’ Presentation night. We also awarded 10 Coaches Awards to individual players in recognition of their development, sportsmanship, leadership and commitment across the season.
Every one of these players stood out for the right reasons across the season.
Under 12 - Brodie Wooster
Under 13 - Diesel Batey
Under 14 - Anthony Damchev
Under 15 - Vincent Barca
Under 16 - Charlie Maude
Under 18s - Ronald Lawrence
| Age group |
Coach’s Award Recipients |
| Under 12 |
Brodie Wooster |
| Under 13 |
Diesel Batey |
| Under 14 |
Anthony Damchev |
| Under 15 |
Vincent Barca |
| Under 16 |
Charlie Maude |
| Under 18 |
Ronald Lawrence |
| Under 20s |
Hussein Sumaili |
| Seniors |
Greg Nash, Jordan Montagner and Matthew Lelliot |
|
