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2017 Annual General Meeting

Our AGM is scheduled for Tuesday 16 May 2017 commencing at 6pm. Venue to be confirmed. (Not Easter Sunday as we printed last week...)

If you have ideas or views on how the Club is travelling or you would like to ask questions of the Board and committee members this is your opportunity. Its an excellent way to learn more about the Club's priorities, our off-field progress and goals for the year ahead.

Copies of the agenda and reports will be available at the meeting including our financial statements. 

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Shepparton Sports Precinct - countdown to completion

Shepparton Council confirmed this week that all works at the Precinct - except the main pavilion - should be complete by mid May which coincides beautifully with GV Suns hosting nine consecutive home games.  (That's around 2,000 visiting players, officials and supporters enjoying our new facilities!)

The following provides an update on some of the individual components of the more than $20 million upgrade that is delivering player, club and supporter facilities that are amongst the best in the state. 

More pitchside parking
There are more than 700 car parking spaces included in the layout of the upgraded Precinct and all of them will be available from Saturday 22 April when our local SJSA league kicks off its 2017 season (along with a number of other sports at the precinct).

The new parking areas are accessed from Packham Street (via the new roundabout) and are located (in yellow) 

• alongside the back pitches on Packham Street
• between the netball courts and the hockey pitches

Parking in front of the front pitches and the tennis courts is also available.

Some minor works will continue over coming weeks so please observe and respect all construction signage.



Main Pavilion underway
The steel frame is well underway with flooring and roofing to commence soon. The Pavilion should be available from mid-august.

Small Pavilion on track for May completion
A range of internal and fit out works are underway. The front area concrete works will begin next week followed by the internal fit out of the kitchen and completion of the shower and toilet facilities.

The water and sewer service connections are not in place yet but should follow shortly.
 

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In it latest project update, Shep Council acknowledged the Project works have been disruptive to some sporting activities and appreciates the understanding of the sporting clubs during construction.

With the works now approaching completion, the Project Manager is offering a walk through of the new small pavilion to view and discuss the facility. There will be more information about the walk through so please stay posted.
 

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Shepparton TIDC kicks off Monday 24 April

From this year, Shepparton is home to one of the FFV's six new regional Talent Identification and Development Centres (TIDC) and a Skill Acquisition Program / Game Training Program.

Following strong interest at the recent player trials, the first 10 week training block will begin Monday 24 April with David Davkovski and Shaban Mehmet – supported by FFV Technical staff - leading the programs.

If you have been invited to join the program, please make sure you complete the paper work and provide the requested information. If you do not want to take up the opportunity please advise David or Shaban immediately so the FFV  can offer the place to other talented local players.

If you were not selected in the first round, please note that the program runs in blocks and is designed to allow players to move in and out of the program in line with their development.

Match Reports 

Under 12s

Tim Nelson
Plenty of signs of improvement from the kids at the weekend. 1v1 is something the kids worked very hard during the week. Especially in defence where the kids are starting to trust there team mates. Worrying about their direct opponent instead of getting drawn to the ball in a bees to a honey pot situation which I can't be more happy with. We are now only conceding goals from unfortunate errors  - which are getting fewer and fewer each game. 

Jeremy's effort in goal in the second game were fantastic. It was without doubt Kyan's best game of the season. They way he read the ball was fantastic. Jai's voice in the first game was noticeable from the sidelines. Just wanted to take the time to thank the kids in how well the are handling the rotations as well. Makes my job a lot easier

Scott & Zac Hutchison
Great improvement on last week, the kids were able to control the game and put several passes together. Control of the ball body shape and positioning was really good today.
Great team effort and we would like to welcome Liam and Hayden (Jayden) to the team.

Under 13s

Tim Nelson
Being a Saturday game this week we had to adjust our training schedule, giving us only Wednesday as our full session for the week. We worked on quality possession in the final third. Up until now we have spent long periods of each game defending as we are not keeping possession of the ball for long enough periods in the opposition half. After some very good training on Wednesday, we spent Friday doing some basic and less taxing drills like dribbling and striking the ball.

Saturday morning came around and we were well prepared, or so I thought. I’m not sure if Oakleigh were quick out the blocks or we were just slow, although probably the latter.  With no intensity, no chasing and too many players on their heels we were not very good at all in the first half. Oakleigh went in at half time with a deserved 1-0 lead and we had plenty to discuss.

The half time team talk was simple. Let’s go out and put some serious effort in!

The second half started as expected with us taking the initiative and before long the lead. Scoring twice and putting us in the driving seat was exactly what we needed, but unfortunately not where it ended.

Oakleigh scored their second goal from a set piece. It was played into the box and all our players watched as 3 opposition players coasted through between our back line and goalkeeper where any one of them could have scored. The game and result changed again when an Oakleigh player crossed the ball and it somehow ended up in the net. A combination of the ball spinning after being miskicked and the wind blowing saw it go in off the back post. The game ended with the final score of 3-2 to Oakleigh.

Although a disappointing result, there are always positives to take from the performance. With no game this coming weekend we will be playing a practice match on Wednesday against the Under 14’s. This will challenge the players to compete above their age group while giving a few of them some quality time in different positions. 

Under 14s

Tommy Giuliani
There was plenty to be excited about looking forward after Sunday's loss to Oakleigh Cannons. Our start to the game was exceptional as we looked to play at a really high tempo and move the ball quickly into our attackers. We set up with lots of speed up front and we shot out to a 3-0 lead within 20 minutes. This proves to the boys that they can destroy quality opposition when they switch on. One of the goals was absolutely top shelf, a beautiful diagonal thru ball from the right hand side of midfield to the left side at about the 1/2 way line. The run through Oakleigh's defence and the  finish to score matched the quality of the ball played through. This is the quality we strive for at training,to change the point of attack.

Unfortunately we made more errors defensively in the game than we've made all year. Oakleigh had real quality and were physically big but we gift wrapped 4 of the six goals we conceded. Very disappointing after a clean sheet last week. But these can be great learning opportunities. I'm confident that they don't really need to be told "what or why".

The positives are more important to me. We've hit the back of the net 7 times in the last 2 games. Most importantly was Friday nights training session. Standards were very very high. They were really crisp, all quick 1/2 touch football;good habits etc. They generated their own intensity without me pushing which is what needs to happen.They took responsibility for themselves and their performance and it showed real growth and maturity. A turning point....

Under 15s

Paul Nieuwenhuizen
This team went into this weekend's game against Oakleigh on a high after a great win last weekend against Nunawding. At training the boys had been working on denying the opposition time and space to play the ball.  This was also our team task for the game.

The game started with both teams evenly matched - and both teams looking flat. However, both teams worked hard not to allow any clear goal scoring chances at either end of the pitch. The chances that were created were easily dealt with by the goalkeepers. Oakleigh still managed to score 2 goals just before halftime. One after a goal mouth scramble and the second from a well worked move.

The start of second half quickly saw us concede a third goal due to a loss of concentration. However, the team worked hard not to concede any further goals for the remainder of the game and continued to push forward. In the end the difference between the teams was not skill but the decision making of the players when playing the ball.

The game served as a reminder to the team that they must be at their best each week and anything other than full commitment is exploited by the opposition. Again, the gap between the GV Suns and the rest of the competition is closing.

To everyone involved with the GV Suns please enjoy the Easter break and please take the time to recharge for the season ahead.

Under 16s

A classic game of 2 halves. Started the game asleep, lethargic, switched off, our body language was terrible and the Cannons were able to capitalize with 4 goals in the first half.  So at half time it was reflection time, and the squad agreed all the issues of the first half could all be fixed. So with some focus, a little bravery and a whole lot of passion our boys were able to fight their way back into the contest.

Now I’m sure the boys will agree it wasn’t the prettiest game, but sometimes you just have to find a way back into the game. The game ended in a 4-3 loss but the response from the boys in the second half was very pleasing. They showed Nathan and I the never give up attitude that we want. Happy Easter to you all.

Under 18s

Stefo Radevski & Glen Wilson

Once again we focused on our defensive structures similar to the previous week.  Remembering to get back to our positions into our own half as soon as possible once we lose possession and not high press, keep our structure and stay tight and compact and allow the opposition to come to us and try to play through us or around the wings.  We also worked on our quick counters once we win possession of the ball.  As our match was on Saturday, we decided to make Friday a short session focusing on quick passes and shots on goals with a knock out penalty shoot out to end the night.  A positive week of training for all Under 18's and Under 16's.

Game day ended with a 4-0 loss but not a true indication of how the day went.  We were under pressure for most of the game, having to rely on quick counters and trying to force them back as often as possible but having said that, we allowed them that time and space to play a passing game and to try and break us down.  Unfortunately we conceded towards the end of the first half to go in at half time only 1-0 down.  

Oakleigh enjoyed most of the possession for the first half but the boys kept their structure for most of the half and as a result Oakleigh resorted to longer shots on goals to try and break through.  Our undoing was a long ball over the top which caught out our defence and the Oakleigh coolly finished.  We did battle against a strong wind in the first half which didn’t help our cause.  We were betting on the wind staying the same in the second half to allow us to put some pressure on the Oakleigh side but as it always turns out the wind died down.  

The boys battled on in the second half using the same tactics we discussed at the start of the game.  And once again Oakleigh were struggling to break down our formation. It was mainly individual errors, lack of communication between our players or passes going astray that gave Oakleigh their chances.  Around the 65th minute we showed some attacking prowess and Willy Sauiluma struck a first time left foot shot that cannoned off the upright which would of made it 1-1.  

The boys did well but eventually we lost our shape and conceded and extra 3 goals from around the 75th minute onwards.  Our boys were definitely tired at this stage.  A combination of the Under 16's having to play their second game and a few of our under 18's coming back from injury and lacking match fitness showed in the end. 

Special thanks to Vinnie Barca, Bowdie Chandler, Fergus Wilson (who stepped up in a big way against bigger and physically stronger boys and held his own), Apo Sakizlis, and Logan Bamford-Phillips.  Logan had an absolute blinder of a game, saving shots you wouldn’t expect him to and frustrating the Oakleigh team all game.  Big shout out to Micky Colmer who played as a centre back and was outstanding.  Nearly B.O.G. but Logan pipped him on the day.

Codes of Conduct for everyone

And in other soccer news...

Shepparton hosts Neymar Jr's 5 Qualifier

Shepparton will host one of 38 Neymar Jr’s Five qualifier events across Australia that will decide the Australian national champions who will join 53 countries competing for the global title in Brazil.

The 2017 tournament is open to teams of five to seven players aged 16 to 25, with two over-aged players allowed as part of each squad.

Date: Sunday, 21 May 2:00 pm (GV Suns juniors have a bye)
Venue: John McEwen Reserve

For more information visit Greater Shepparton City Council website or register your squad online.