By LIAM TWOMEY
DURING the Western Region Football League off-season, Newport Power put the call out.
The club was looking for players to commit to its inaugural Under-18 side for the 2013 season.
What followed was a mountain of hard work both on and off the field to get the team ready.
Fast forward now to the halfway point of the season and the results couldn’t be better.
The Power sits on top of the Under-18 division two ladder with an impressive 9-1 win-loss record.
Newport coach George Abboud is rapt with the improvement his playing group has made.
“It is a lot about educating and teaching the boys at this age group,” he said.
“They are really starting to understand what the club is all about and what playing for a team is all about.
“I knew there was a lot of talent there but I didn’t think we would be only one loss,” Abboud said.
“It is only the half way mark and hopefully they keep getting better.”
The Power has been led up forward by dynamic duo Ali El Houli and Wajih Taleb, who are both among the division’s leading goal-kickers.
Newport’s only loss came in round seven against Wyndhamvale.
However, when the sides met for the second time this season, the players’ improvement was highlighted and the Power went on to win by seven goals.
While some may be looking towards finals, Abboud is ensuring his playing group doesn’t get ahead of itself.
“I don’t care about the win-loss to be honest, that is just a bonus,” he said.
“As long as they understand the game plan, the club policies and the team structures.
“If it works straight away it does and if it doesn’t then as long as they persist with it and keep moving forward and the club goes in the right direction. Again, if there is a win in it, it is just a bonus,” Abboud said.
“Newport wants seniors and hopefully these boys continue to develop into good young men and then good young footballers.”
