The Western Eagles are hoping to learn key lessons from last year’s state league 3 soccer season.
The Eagles finished sixth and feel they could have challenged for a top two spot but for a slow start. They failed to secure any points from their first three games.
A coaching change has the club excited for the season ahead.
Eagles president Adrian Wierzbicki said the pre-season had been a lot more stable under first-year coach Janusz Wolnik.
“We definitely had a slower start than we’d have liked last year,” he said.
“Janusz has played at quite a high level. The way he goes about talking to players, running drills and explaining how to improve is always very positive.
“A lot of players have already commented that they’re really impressed with his training sessions.”
There has been plenty to cheer Eagles supporters in the off-season. Former Eagles junior and senior player Thomas Deng has taken the A-League by storm.
Deng progressed from being captain of the Melbourne Victory youth side to making his senior debut last year.
Since then he has also played for the Australian under-23s.
Wierzbicki says Deng’s rise has been incredible to witness.
“It’s been a fantastic result for Tommy and for grassroots football.
“He’s come back to the club and been very humble … he’s always been a really nice kid. He’s always coming back and having a chat to the juniors.
“It’s great to have players like that, particularly in this day and age. Hopefully, there are a few more like him who come through our ranks.”
Hot on the heels of Deng’s rise, the Eagles are looking to further strengthen their junior program in coming seasons.
The club is trying to make soccer easily accessible for kids in the west by offering some of the lowest fees in the region along with quality coaching.
The Eagles are quickly expanding, having gone from three to four junior teams. The club is also hoping to have an under-18 side within two years.
“We’re really trying to drive a youth policy and focus a lot on junior development,” Wierzbicki says.
“We understand that it’s hard for a lot of parents, especially with some of the fees some clubs are charging. We’re trying to offer lower fees so we can break down those barriers for parents.”
