There’s an air of excitement at Sunshine Heights Football Club.
After a horror 2015, during which the Dragons didn’t win a game in the Western Region Football League’s division 2 competition, the coming season offers a fresh start.
Sunshine Heights has dropped down to division 3 and will open its new year’s campaign against North Sunshine.
Dragons’ president Vince Sposato said the playing group had already signalled its intention to get the club back on the winners’ list.
“The guys are pretty eager to atone for not getting any wins on the board last year,” he said. “They’re already on the track and keen to make amends.
“There is a breath of fresh air about the club as we get ready for this new challenge.”
Given a number of players walked out of the club this time last year, Sunshine Heights is already in a much stronger position as it prepares with pre-season training.
The Dragons fielded 39 players, who greeted head coach Robert Greto at their opening training session last month.
Having been a division 1 club in 2012, Sposato said a key theme throughout the pre-season would be to make sure the playing group didn’t underestimate its new surroundings.
“We know that nothing is going to be easy in division 3 and we certainly don’t want to be there just to make up the numbers,” he said.
“The message we’re trying to put across to the boys is, you can’t go back to division 3 and just go through the motions.
“It needs to be fun because that’s what local football is all about. We also want to be there to be competitive.
“Our aim as a club is to make finals, and I think we can do that.”
Sunshine Heights is also planning for its long-term future with the appointment of Frank Martin as reserves coach. Martin has been a target of the club for some time and is seen as a potential successor to Greto.
“Frankie has a wealth of experience and is a very good talker and motivator,” Sposato said. “What I really like about Frankie is his passion for his football..”
It may be the off-season, but Sunshine Heights has already enjoyed one win.
Club legend Sharyn Grima was made a life member of the WRFL earlier this month.
Grima has been involved at the Dragons for more than 30 years and was described by Sposato as a legend of the club.
