Gradual improvements the goal for North Sunshine

North Sunshine huddle. (Joe Mastroianni). 284231_10

Harper Sercombe

Life hasn’t been easy for North Sunshine in the Western Region Football League division 3, with the side winless since its solitary victory in the 2021 COVID-19 impacted season.

Although with a new coach and president at the helm things are beginning to look up for the side, with a priority on fixing the club’s culture.

“This year we have been able to stay out of the papers with any nonsense, which has been great,” president Andrew Scimone said.

“Obviously last year we had a few incidents but this year has been great, we’ve had a firm policy where if something happens you [will be] punished.

“We’ve stuck to our guns as a committee, that’s been working, and the players are actually enjoying it.

“The scoreboard doesn’t show what improvements we’ve had but we’ve had a fair bit of improvement.”

With culture around the club on the up, Scimone has turned his attention to the playing list, hinting at plenty of list changes to come in the off season.

“Moving forward we’re looking good,” he said. “Hopefully next year we will be a bit more competitive, that’s our goal.

“We’re on the hunt for recruitment, trying to fix up the jigsaw puzzle.

“We’re trying to bring in another five or six next year.

“We’re looking for a stronger spine… and we’re looking for quick on ballers [and] pretty much a whole new midfield for next year.”

Although with a low base to build upon Scimone is realistic with the idea that it will take more than just the upcoming off season and the club may still be a few years off where they want to be.

The Roadrunners sit bottom in division 3 and have been beaten easily most weeks.

“We can turn it around pretty quick, it just takes time to gel and get a few players to all bond together,” he said.

“At the moment we are growing 10 per cent each year, so if we can grow 10 per cent next year we can probably get a few wins on the board.”

With only a game left in the season Scimone said he wants to see one per cent improvements weekly, which can help in the long run. The Roadrunners had a bye on the weekend.

“It’s going to be a battle but we will see how we go,” he said.

“We’re just trying to reduce margins from the last time we played them and just be more competitive.”

“It will all add up building into next year.”