NPL: Sunshine George Cross young talent shines

Sunshine George Cross president Jamie Chetcuti couldn’t be happier with his side’s start to the National Premier League season.

The club is in second place on the NPL 1 ladder with five wins from seven matches.

But it isn’t just the full-time results that are giving the Georgies reason to smile.

Chetcuti said one of the most pleasing factors was the way the club’s young players had adjusted to the NPL.

“We’re all about giving the youth a chance to develop themselves,” he said.

“It’s a long process and whether it happens next year or in our third year in the competition, we are all on board with these young kids.

“At the moment we have a really good culture down at the club. The guys are playing really good football and we can’t complain.”

Sunshine has been an attacking and defensive leader, making the club a tough prospect for opponents. The Georgies have scored 16 goals and conceded just 11.

“We have a really good balance throughout the whole system,” Chetcuti said.

“We’re really happy with all our backline, midfielders and forwards. Whatever position they play, the guys are able to adapt to any one of them and they give their hearts to it.’’

Sunshine has a chance to push into top spot in coming weeks.

The Georgies will take on ninth-placed Dandenong City before facing fourth-placed Box Hill United.

With more exciting young players coming through, Chetcuti is confident the good times are only just starting. “For us, as a junior club, we’ve been preparing this for about three
to five years.”