Tara Murray
New North Sunshine coach Paul Rossiter is aware of the big challenge ahead of him at the Western Football League division 2 club.
Rossiter has been appointed coach for three years as the club tries to finally get back on the winners list.
While he’s new to the WFL, Rossiter has played more than 250 games in various leagues in Geelong while he was previously senior coach at Smythesdale.
Rossiter said he knows he has his work cut out for him.
“It’s a big challenge but I know where they are at,” he said. “We’re trying to rebuild and it’s not going to be easy.
“I knew it would be hard and it’s part of the reason that attracted me to the club. I didn’t want to take over someone else’s success, I wanted to build my success.”
Rossiter said signing for three years was a big thing for him as it allows him to change things.
He said things won’t happen overnight.
“The aim for next year is to be competitive for longer,” he said. “I don’t want to be having 30 to 40 goal losses.
“I want to cut them in half and get closer to getting a win.”
Rossiter said the reaction from the playing group had been really good. He said they were keen to start pre-season now.
“We’ll start on October 14, which is a lot earlier than everyone else,” he said. “It goes to show they want to turn things around as well.
“They know there’s a lot of hard work to do. They are committed to it and it’s great.”
Rossiter said he was looking to bring in 10-12 players, mostly from the Geelong region.
He said they weren’t bringing in A-grade footballers, but footballers who will look to help them be competitive.
“I’m excited to be part of it,” he said. “It won’t be the same North Sunshine outfit.
“We will be harder to play against and will be competitive. They will be a bit more of a hard nosed edge and a whole new game plan they’re not used to seeing.”
