By Tara Murray
It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for new Taylors Lakes coach Charles Cuzzupi.
Not long after speaking with the Lions about the possibility of taking on the job, Cuzzupi was appointed as coach.
Pre-season training will resume in the coming weeks, giving Cuzzupi little time to settle into the role.
But he is excited by the challenge that confronts him at the EDFL club.
He joins the club having been a football manager at Avondale Heights and has been involved with the Calder Cannons and Vic Metro programs.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the president Hilary [Pollock] and the rest of the club,” he said. “Everything seems to be in order and running well.
“I was working with a young list at Avondale Heights and through the pathways program – what excited me about the list was the young talent. That’s where my passion is.”
Cuzzupi, who played 300 games for Avondale Heights, replaces Sam Tankard who stood down from the role late last year.
Tankard coached the side for four seasons, with the team missing finals by percentage the past two seasons.
The new coach said he had been impressed with what Tankard had been able to do with the group.
“They’re a young group of kids that want to learn and get better,” Cuzzupi said.
“There’s a lot of homegrown talent there and they have a five-year plan.
“Hopefully, I’ll leave the place in a better spot than when I arrive.”
Cuzzupi will have a familiar face in the coaching box with him, his brother in-law, Rohan Eastway, has been appointed assistant coach. Eastway, who was a premiership captain at Avondale Heights, has a strength and conditioning background.
Cuzzupi said his phone had been running hot since his appointment.
“I’ve had messages from past players and coaches I’ve worked with,” he said. “The feedback from the playing group is they can’t wait to get started. It’s been a better response than I expected.”
The late appointment leaves little time for Cuzzupi to add new faces to the playing group.
“I told the club that, ideally, what I’m looking at doing is developing the kids we have got,” he said. “It’s hard to recruit at this time of year. It’s a positive for the players who have been here for a while, as long as they’re prepared to do the hard work.”
