SURF Coast Football Club will launch the first club based football academy in the region later this year and it already has managed to attract the backing of one of the region’s most prominent businessmen and community figureheads in Frank Costa.

PHOTO: From left - Surf Coast FC president Steve Christou, Surf Coast FC Academy Ambassador Frank Costa and Academy director Mike Cooper (picture: Tim Marcus)

To be known as the Surf Coast FC Academy, the new program was recently unveiled at Costa’s Geelong based office.

At the official launch, Surf Coast FC president Steve Christou announced that the ex-Geelong Cats president and unofficial Mayor of Geelong had been named the Academy’s Ambassador while also revealing other details of the ambitious new project.

“Our new Senior coach and former Technical Director of A-League club Newcastle Jets’ Academy Mike Cooper will be the Academy’s director of football, while Frank joins us as an Academy Ambassador,” an excited Christou announced.

“He is a great supporter of the Surf Coast and Geelong community and is an absolute gentleman. We are thankful and appreciate his support,” he added.

“When Michael approached us (about the concept), we saw this as a massive opportunity for not only our club and players but all players in the area.

Christou was quick to point out it won’t be a privately run academy, rather a club based one.

“There are plenty of players that will travel as far as Melbourne to attend similar type academies. They now have the opportunity in the Geelong region to be coached by one of the best junior development coaches in the country.

“In the coming weeks, we will be running a small program to give people the opportunity to see what the Academy and Michael can offer.”

Although his name is more synonymous with the sport of AFL in Geelong, Frank Costa also revealed the passion and connection for the round ball code that runs deep within his own family.

“Two of my sons in law are from a Croatian background and are fanatical football followers. Their children are also keen followers who have been taken overseas to matches and some of the younger grandchildren even play locally,” he said.

“I am very proud to have been asked to be an ambassador for the new Surf Coast Football Club Academy, it’s a great opportunity to bring sport to the community and the Surf Coast is indeed a fast growing area.

“The Academy will allow players to progress to a higher level of competition, bringing out their best and providing them with the opportunity to realise their potential as football players.

“The joy of sport through competition provides the opportunity to achieve fitness, improve wellness and prevents young people from developing antisocial behaviours, encouraging them to foster a healthy lifestyle into adulthood,” concluded Frank Costa.

SURF COAST FC ACADEMY DATES:

-       TUESDAYS (from Oct 30 to Dec 11)

(Girls welcome to all sessions)

5pm-6pm: Girls only group

6pm-7pm: 10-11 years group

-       THURSDAYS (from Nov 1 to Dec 13)

(Girls welcome to all sessions)

5pm-6pm: 12- 13 years group

6pm-7pm: 14-15 years group

Cost: $100 for total of seven sessions

For any enquiries or to register, email surfcoastacademy@gmail.com