Source: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/02/26/focus-on-juniors-has-roos-leaping-ahead/
ROGER Delaney knows a thing or two about building successful footy clubs.
After all, he played more than 200 games over 14 seasons for arguably the premier club in Australia, the Port Adelaide Magpies.
Since its formation in 1870, Port has won 36 premierships in the South Australian National Football League, building a culture of success that has been the benchmark others have tried to emulate.
Delaney admitted he did not know a lot about the Maroochy Northshore Roos when he was appointed coach last season, but the seniors had finished third in the Pineapple Hotel Cup in 2010 so he figured the basics must have been in place.
What he discovered as the team floundered through the 2011 season with just two wins, was that any success that had come was not sustainable.
That situation is now being changed, with Delaney and president Craig Scrase putting the building blocks in place to ensure the club becomes one of the best on the Sunshine Coast.
"We've made the decision to build long-term through the juniors, and it's already paying dividends," Delaney said.
"Some of our juniors that had left to play with Brisbane clubs have come back and we've also picked up some good young players from interstate that have moved up here with their families.
"We've already got the best junior program on the Coast, and we want to have the best senior program as well."
The steps being taken are not just on the field either.
Scrase said a series of programs had been put in place off the field to help players become better people.
"We've got a range of speakers coming to talk on topics like nutrition, driving, social issues, financial management," he said.
"We've now got people coming to us saying they've heard what we're doing and they are keen to be a part of it. A football club should be about more than just putting a team on the field each week."
Delaney said on the recruiting front, the Roos' strategy of selectively targeting younger players had paid dividends. Talented youngsters Jed Turner and Sam Panoho both returned this season and former TAC Cup players Jarryd Hill and Josh McPherson had moved up from Victoria.
Both on-ballers, Hill played for North Ballarat and McPherson for the Western Jets in the AFL's elite junior feeder competition.
Delaney said the team would have an average age of about 22 this season, and while the rebuilding process would take some time, finals football had to be the goal.
Last Modified on 09/01/2013 11:41