By LIAM TWOMEY
MATTHEW Russell has been appointed head coach of the VU St Albans Spurs for the 2013 season.
Russell brings a vast amount of football experience to the role as both a player and junior coach.
Spurs football manager Erin Davenport said the club was excited to have Russell on board.
“We are absolutely rapt and looking forward to some fresh blood at the club,” she said.
“Matt has a fitness and teaching background and that combination is excellent, especially going into another pre-season.
“Having that background will help get us focused for 2013.”
The Spurs are coming off a solid 2012 in the Victorian Women’s Football League after yet another finals appearance.
Russell, who is coaching his first women’s team, said he was aiming to build on the winning culture that the club has created.
“I’ve previously coached for four years. We haven’t started training yet, but it will definitely be a different approach from the senior girls to the junior boys,” he said.
“I certainly have a few ideas already in terms of how we want to train and how we want to play.
“That is what I spoke about during the interview process, was to keep that winning culture around the club. We want to go forward and make sure we aren’t going backwards.”
In another boost for the club, Kate Jennings will lead the reserves side in its charge towards back-to-back premierships while senior players from the club will look after the youth and under 12 girls’ sides.
Davenport said it was great to see players branch into the coaching side of the game.
“Everyone is chipping in and I think it will be really good for everyone broadening their skill base,” she said.
“Having the people in the club who are willing to pitch in to make the club better is what keeps driving the Spurs.”
Pre-season training is set to resume in late January. Anyone interested in playing with the Spurs in 2013 can contact the club on 0406 621 699 or via its Facebook page.
