Tara Murray
One of the Westside Strikers inaugural players will step up into the senior coaching role at the club for next year’s FV state league 3 north-west season.
Simon Vasconcelo, who has been part of the club for the last five years, was announced the club’s new senior coach on Wednesday.
Vasconcelo has coached a number of the club’s junior teams in recent years, while he coached the club’s reserves side the last two years.
He also played at all levels in Victoria, winning multiple championships and promotions along the way, finishing his playing career with the Strikers.
Strikers’ president Sam Raniolo said they were excited by what the future holds.
“Simon steps up into the role,” he said. “He was an inaugural senior player at the club and has coached the club’s junior sides the last years along with the reserves side.
“He’s very positive and competitive. He’s an energetic person and that is what we want to do.
“We’re confident that we are heading in the right direction.
The announcement comes after the club announced that it had parted ways with inaugural coach Zoran Kitanovski with Raniolo saying it was a mutual decision between the two parties.
“We sat down with Zoran and had a chat about this year and next year,” he said.
“It was a mutual decision for him to move on and we wish him the best in the future. He has done a lot for the club in its set up.
“He’s coached two championships and there were two years affected by COVID. He’s a big part of the club and he’s always welcome to come back.”
Sal Paglia is part of the new look coaching line up, having been appointed reserves coach.
Paglia brings 10 years of coaching experience having coached Fawkner, Avondale and this year at the Strikers as their under-16 B coach.
Raniolo said now they have the coaches locked in, they would look to get the playing group settled for next season.
The Strikers will be in state league north-west 3 next year after winning the state league 4 west title this year.
“We’ll start looking at the list this week,” Raniolo said. “Hopefully the majority will come back.
“You always lose some and gain some. We don’t think there will be too much disruption.
“We’ve got a really good set up with our juniors. We’re confident for next year.”
