State League One Feature: Students are doing all the teaching
UNSW FC has been quietly going about their business this season in Division One of the State League, winning 11 out of their last 13 games to come from second bottom to squeeze into the semi final series.
But UNSW have done so without much fanfare, so I took time out to speak with their first grade coach, Luke Andrews, to firstly, find out a little more about the club and it’s origins, and secondly, to zero in and see what it is exactly that has made their first grade squad make everyone sit up and take notice of their performances this season.
UNSW FC CLUB
Frank Speranza - What year was the club formed, and by who?
Luke Andrews - The club has been around since the mid 1950’s. We have existed in a range of forms playing in both intervarsity and Football NSW competitions in both Men’s and Women’s.
FS - What competitions has the club played in?
LA - The club has played in the FNSW State League Men’s competition (or equivalent) since the early 1960’s. The club has competed usually in division 2 or 3 of the competition for most of that time, with a short period in the early 80’s playing in Division 1.
FS - What honours has the club achieved?
LA - The club was promoted from the State League Div 2 in 2007.
FS - How many teams, and players, does the club have?
LA - In elite football, the club has the two State League Men’s teams. Locally, within the ESFA Competition, we have 6 Men’s, 1 Women’s, and 1 Girl’s team.
FS - What are the goals of the club - short term and long term?
LA - Men’s State League – In the long term, the club aims to be competing in the Men’s Super League competition, and to continue to develop an environment in the club that allows players to combine both education and competing at the highest level possible.
The club as a whole holds the short terms goals to gain re-entry into the Women’s Super League competition after it was excluded from the competition last year. We are currently working with the local association (ESFA) to put together a joint application.
Our second major goal is to re-engage with previous players and members of the club. We believe that the history of the club needs to be drawn upon in order to assist us in moving forwards and becoming stronger.
FIRST GRADE
FS - What is the make up of your squad…age, playing experience, years at UNSW, etc.
LA - My focus at the start of the season was to put together a squad that we could develop over a period of three years, with a view to winning the competition in 2011. In order to achieve this, we put together a mixture of experienced players and young up and coming players. We have a squad that has an average age around 23, with only 2 players aged over 30.
Within the squad we have players from a wide range of backgrounds, including school students, university students, university old boys and players with no previous affiliation with UNSW.
There is a common misconception within the football community that you need to be at the University to play for us. This is not the case.
FS - As a coach, what did you focus on to turn the team's season around so successfully?
LA - Since the beginning of pre-season we have worked hard with the players to develop a style of play within the club that is understood by all, and that has a focus of playing entertaining and technical football. Associated with this has been a push to establish a culture of respect and good character amongst the playing group.
The biggest area of development over the course of the season, and the reason for our success, is the mental strength and degree of faith the players have shown in their own ability, and their desire to work for each other. It was not until the Round 10 game v Dulwich Hill that the players showed this for the full 90 minutes (UNSW won 3-1).
Since then, it has been the role of the Coaching Staff and Leadership Group to continue to foster this culture.
FS - What have been some of the hurdles you have had to overcome this season, both as a coach, and as a team?
LA - From a playing group perspective, we have had to work throughout the season to maintain a happy balance for all players between football, studies and having a life. For some, this has not been achievable and we have either not had them available for periods of the season, or we have parted ways.
From a coaching perspective, we parted ways with the assistant coach mid-season resulting in a reshuffle of coaching staff. Whilst this was initially unsettling, the subsequent results demonstrate that the correct decision was made. The assistant coaches we have now have been great acquisitions.
Anton Ivancic is a highly experienced and well prepared coach, while Andy Drewery is a young coach to watch out for in the future.
The loss of players this season to injury has also been quite astounding. We lost Alec Kemmery, a promising school boy striker, after round 2, and then a number of other players for the remainder of the season.
The serious nature of the injuries suffered to Lyndon Fry in a match in late June was a huge shock to the club as a whole. The extent to which the club rallied round the family was fantastic and it galvanized the playing group. The presence of Lyndon in the change rooms over the past few weeks since his release from hospital has been much welcome.
FS - Who has impressed you individually?
LA - I am reluctant to highlight one player over another in a season that has seen all players play their role when called upon. Obviously Stuart Meney has scored a lot of goals in the second round, and in saying that, he has been the benefactor of a lot of hard work by his strike partner, Rocco Lucca.
Within midfield, Garry Cassidy has not missed a game. Around him, there has been a number of wide and screening players, all of whom have continued to develop throughout the season. Brennan Smart has been a good signing for the future. He has gone from park football to playing 5 games in First Grade in the space of nine months.
Defensively, Patrick Lloyd and Michael Janov have been solid for us all year. Patrick is a no nonsense player who has been our most consistent performer. Michael is the captain of the squad and scholarship holder. His performance against Schofields last week demonstrated his inspirational character and the level of commitment that exists within the club.
FS - Which games stand out from this season, and why?
LA - Two games stand out for me this season, not just for the football, but for the character shown by the players:
Round 10 v Dulwich Hill WON 3-1
This match was the start of the big run towards the finals. The first time the playing group showed belief and commitment to each other for the full 90 minutes.
Round 22 v Schofield Scorpions WON 4-1
Going into the match the players were really aware that we needed a win in order to make the finals. When on the receiving end of a penalty and a contentious goal, the players showed composure and worked hard in order to achieve the outcome we needed. It was the day a group of young players showed the character of men - a really pleasing and rewarding sight for a coach.
FS - The UNSW does not pay players, how does this affect the club?
LA - UNSWFC has a policy of not paying players to play at the club. Instead, the focus is to ensure that our budget is utilized in a manner that provides maximum benefit to as many players within the club as possible. This means we do not pump our funds into the pockets of the ‘football mercenaries’ that exist within our league. We have to develop our own players.
The clear benefit of not paying players is that we have players who want to be here.
As a club we hope to attract players by offering a club with a strong and positive culture, good coaching, good resources and good opportunities for players irrespective of background and age.
As a University Club, we have the benefit of assisting players with their academic pursuits though Scholarships and the newly commenced UNSW Elite Athletes Entry Program. Under this program, players may be eligible for a UAI discount of up to 5 points for entry into UNSW courses.
FNSW - What one word would you use to describe the reason for the success of the club?
LA – RESPECT! The club is very much built upon respect. The President and Board are respectful of the demarcation between administration and coaching, and have supported the Coaching Staff at all times.
The players have been respectful of each other, and the fact that it is only through unity will the club succeed. Additionally, they are respectful of the fact that their position in the starting line up is only theirs for as long as they perform. This has resulted in an increased, good spirited competition for places, the results of which have been seen on the park.
Finally, as a club we have been respectful of the teams we have played. The same can not be said of some opponents at times, however, we have approached all opponents the same. The benefit of this has been as consistent level of performance from the playing group over the past 13 rounds.
There is no doubt that UNSW FC is doing something right, with a semi final berth just reward for their consistent and determined efforts this season in Division One.
On Sunday afternoon, they made it through an elimination semi final against Inter Lions, and their march continues this week when they play Schofields in another do-or-die clash on Saturday evening at CSI Sports Ground.
Irrespective of the result, you can be certain that it could very well be the ‘students’ who will continue to teach their opposition a lesson or two in the art of football!
-By Frank Speranza
