With less than a week until the first bounce of the season, Sydney University looks positively to their year ahead. Finishing out of the finals race in 2013, Sydney University are on the search for improvements across all aspects of their game.
Tristan Liles, in his inaugural year as the club’s General Manager, says that the university side are always looking to further themselves as a team. In order to improve upon their 2013 performance, their pre-season focus has been placed on training tenacity, team communication and developing a support system, on and off the field.
"[Our] Goals are always to be better. Yes, we want to be better than last year but as the season goes on, we want to be better every week."
"The boys are looking good so far. It is still early days but certainly they are training with a professional and diligent attitude."
In order to fulfill their 2014 goals, Sydney University has recruited heavily during the off-season. Ryan Brabazon (Eastlake), Matt O'Dwyer (Eastlake), Jacob Derickx (East Perth), Will Sierakowski (North Melbourne), Nick Winmar (Claremont) and Lewis Fasolo (Western Australia Country League) all join the senior squad and are currently training beyond Liles’ expectations.
With the introduction of local talent, Jackson Monk, Erol Sertbas, Josh Smith, Kane Clark and Andrew Morris to the team, it is of proud note to the club that no fewer than four of its 2013 Under 18 Colts and four local Sydney Under 18 recruits will play Premier Division and NEAFL in 2014. Also a cause for celebration at the club, over 50 percent of their senior list are Sydney grown players – a statistic that they are planning on increasing in the years ahead.
While the new recruits are yet to be placed within the club, Liles is enthusiastic about their influence on the playing group. Bringing with them "professionalism, success [and] perseverance", they are said to be performing as positive mentors to the younger players and "setting the standards of a high performance program".
Not only will the extensive recruitment drive during the off-season be expected to pay off on the scoreboard, Sydney University are also hoping for the successful replacement of retired players Gerald Wilkie, Ryan Silvester and Peter Dugmore.
"We lost some good leadership there, but we have recruited intelligently to ensure these gaps are well covered."
The Sydney University Premier Division side will also welcome new coach, Anton Turco, in 2014.
"Anton has played at NEAFL level the past two seasons and will be bringing this experience to the fore with the Premier Division side."
It is hoped that Turco can alter the attitude and organisation of the Premier Division outfit. Assisting in the development of the side will also be Tom Reddin, who joins Sydney University as their new Head of Strength and Conditioning. With a history as the Head Strength and Conditioning coach of A-League team, Melbourne Heart, Reddin brings with him a professionalism that was noticed by Liles from day one.
Having also recruited extensively over the off-season, Liles labels Manly-Warringah as favourites to defend their 2013 title this year. The university team will get the chance to measure themselves against the reigning premiers in Round 10.
Sydney University recently announced a new sponsor in Carrera Sunglasses who join Bendigo Bank and their other returning sponsors from 2013. On the back of this new sponsorship deal, Liles is excited by the support received by the university-based side, and how this backing continues to develop AFL within the Sydney city area.
"But most importantly the support of our junior feeder clubs such as Newtown, Glebe, Moore Park and local club Drummoyne, means that we are able to develop the game of Aussie Rules in one of the most densely populated areas of Sydney."
"The community events that we run, such as the annual SUANFC Family Day, are all about bringing these clubs together to build that sense of camaraderie and look to solidify the development pathway from local junior footy to NEAFL to hopefully one day AFL."
Sydney University plays North Shore in Round One on 29 March 2014 at Henson Park.
Last Modified on 24/03/2014 16:31
