Words: Michael Flynn

Sunshine Coast FC coach Paul Arnison says his team is looming as a stronger proposition in 2016 ahead of their first pre-season match this weekend.

The Fire’s new look PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues squad travels to the capital on Saturday to face Brisbane Premier League outfit Holland Park Hawks in the friendly.

Arnison has been busily strengthening the team over the summer, adding new recruits from both the Sunshine Coast area and overseas.

He explained the signs are positive for the upcoming campaign and Fire are confident of improving on last year’s underwhelming tenth placed finish.

“It’s going really well. We started recruiting before Christmas with a six week program that was like an open house where we had players come in and trial and we got a few players from there.”

“Obviously we’ve got the two English boys (Connor Hancock and Glody Ntumba) over as well and they have settled in now.”

“Things are looking better and on a whole the squad is going to be much stronger than last season and we can’t wait for our first game.”

He said he was buoyed by the number of players from the Sunshine Coast Premier League that have made the move to the national second tier for 2016.

Amongst those lured to the club this season are fullback Chris Jancevski and goalkeeper Sam Nickolls from Noosa Lions, as well as striker Jeremy Stewart and defender Ryan Smith from Kawana SC.

“We’re starting to get some of the better players come in, although there are still five or six great lads in the local league though.”

“For whatever reason they won’t come – whether it’s they want to stay play with their mates or can’t commit to the training and the travel with their family and work commitments.”

“But we’ve got some great players that have come to trials and they have done well so far and I look forward to seeing more from them in coming weeks.”

He added that Fire will to build from back after shipping an average of over two goals per game last season.

“You got to start with your defence. If you have a solid keeper and a solid back four you have a good foundation to build on.”

“That being said, I want to try and play exciting and attacking football but that’s going to change each week depending on which team we are up against.”

“But we don’t want to be boring by kicking it along – we want to play attacking and fast football and we’ve certainly got the players to do that,” he concluded.

Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday, January 23
Holland Park Hawks FC v Sunshine Coast FC
Whites Hill Reserve, Brisbane
Kick-off at 6:30pm