Cootamundra Strikers president Andrew “Wally” Parkinson wants to field two men’s and two women’s teams in next year’s Football Wagga competition.
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It’s Parkinson’s first year as club president after several years coaching and he’ll be supported by Matthew Hoy as vice-president.
Having four teams means a chance for more club days which he said would only be good for the club.
“In the last three to four years we’re up the top and giving the better sides a good shake,” Parkinson said.
“There’s no reason we can’t make the top.”
He credited Luke Dickinson with the change in the men’s first grade side which Adam McPhail and Brent Farnsworth were building on.
“In the past, if we had one or two goal deficit, we’d pack up, but now our heads are up to the final whistle,” he said.
“We can go out and have fun and know that these sides which have beaten us for years but instead we’re now competitive.
“Being a spectator watching you feel really proud.”
It’s that feeling of pride and positivity combined with competitive results will lead to growth in the club’s playing roster.
While people’s focus wasn’t on winter soccer just yet, the numbers for players were looking positive ahead of training kicking off in January.
“As the season gets closer it can only get better, our goal is to have two mens and two womens sides,” he said.
“I’d like to say its achievable.”
Parkinson said James Dickinson was busy recruiting for two teams and he hoped some more experienced players may return to the club in the second team to help player development.
As well as looking further afield in areas such as Harden and Gundagai for female soccer players, Parkinson said there were several promising junior players would could easily make a transition to playing on Sunday.
Strikers leaders
- President: Andrew Parkinson
- Vice-president: Matthew Hoy
- Reserve grade men’s coach: Tom Phillips
- Manager: Doug Phillips
- Women’s first grade coach: James Dickinson
- First grade men’s coaches: Adam McPhail and Brent Farnsworth
- Manager: Ian Wilson