By Cara Kemp
The C Grade soccer team has begun its preseason training, with coach Michael Starr expressing his excitement about the turnout and the commitment shown by the players.
Despite the heat, the initial session had a strong attendance, including players from the Women's and B-grade teams and eight young players still in school.
Michael was particularly pleased to see such enthusiasm from the younger athletes, many of whom have played together for years.
The primary focus for preseason is fitness and tech of the preseason, and Adam Gambrill is overseeing training for all three grades.
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“We want to ensure our fitness levels are up for the first couple of rounds,” Michael said.
“You don’t want to start the season struggling with fitness, so the first few weeks are all about conditioning.”
Alongside fitness, refining ball control and touch has been a key emphasis.
Michael was impressed with his players’ sharpness despite the offseason, noting that their first session back showed encouraging skill levels.
One of the biggest strengths of this year’s squad is the team dynamic.
The younger players have a history of playing with and against each other in junior competitions, creating a close-knit and supportive environment.
“They all get along well, they’re mates, and they support each other,” Michael said.
“It’s an honour to coach a group of lads who conduct themselves well on and off the field.”
He believes these preexisting relationships will be a significant advantage as the team progresses through the season.
Maintaining attendance throughout preseason remains one of the key challenges, particularly with younger players who are eager to play matches but may be less inclined to train consistently.
However, Michael is confident in Adam’s approach to managing this aspect of the team’s preparation.
“As long as we can get the player availability and keep them turning up to preseason sessions, I have no doubt we’ll see some powerful results.”
The team is determined to win the C Grade A division this season after last year's success in the C Grade B competition.
While achieving that goal would be a fantastic outcome, Michael’s primary focus remains to ensure the players enjoy their football and continue developing.
“If they’re playing good, positive football and enjoying themselves, I believe the results will come naturally,” he said.
Michael also expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in making the season possible, including the senior players, coaches, and committee members who have worked hard to organise the early training sessions.
“A massive thank you to everyone who’s helped get preseason underway,” he said.
“Their efforts make a huge difference in giving us the best possible start.”
