By Caitlin Arnold
When you ask Holroyd Parramatta's Clive Sharp what the club has been doing right this year, it is what they are doing off the field - rather than on it - which is touted as the key to their success.
Even though the club's four teams (Division One, Division Four, Division Five and Under 19s Division Two) are providing some positive performances on the field so far this year, Sharp names a strong club culture as one of their greatest attributes.
"The vibe around the club is at a high point right now with great camaraderie across all grades and the players really buying into what was already a strong club culture.
"This is testament to our stable committee, senior coaching staff and outstanding leadership from the senior players," explains Sharp.
The Goannas currently sit within the top half of the Division One (5th) and Division Four (3rd) ladders; however are placed last in Division Five and Under 19s. What it is that the Goannas seem to hold is belief, regardless of their varying range of results.
"Although we consistently make the finals, we haven't been able to go the distance.
"[We want to] focus on delivering some solid four quarter efforts in the tail end of the sea-son which will help lay a foundation for finals success.
"Division One are just hitting their stride and are in finals contention. Our reserves in Division Four are also firing on all cylinders and have been consistent all year.
"You'd always like to be close to the top of the ladder with a double shot in the finals already sewn up, but both competitions are very even at the top end which makes for a very exciting season."
Sharp lauds the efforts of forward Ben Rogers, and Arin Rickett and Angus Barwick ・ each the son of Holroyd Parramatta legends - as integral to the confident display shown by the Goannas' senior and reserve squads in the opening half of the season.
The plight of AFL clubs coming out of Western Sydney has not always been easy as they contend with the domination of other footballing codes, however with the introduction of the Greater Western Sydney Giants ・ of whom the Goannas are associated ・ Sharp says that awareness of AFL in the area has grown.
"We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Giants, hosting their first couple of pre-seasons at Gipps Road Oval.
"Awareness of our game has certainly grown with the emergence of the Giants and their good form this season.
"Our junior club's Auskick numbers are a good benchmark of the great job the Giants have done in marketing football and their brand in Western Sydney."
Holroyd Parramatta is keen to capitalise on their area・s newfound interest in AFL but are wary of spreading themselves too thin. As such, the Goannas are focusing on becoming successful with what they have already before expanding into new initiatives such as a women・s team.
"At the moment our focus is very much on player retention through the junior ranks and providing a positive environment for our young players.
"Promotion for our first grade and reserve sides is high on the agenda for us.
"Ultimately we want to be seen to be the premier football club in Western Sydney."
Last Modified on 18/07/2014 17:12
