By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THE Spring Hills Stallions will embark on their first year of senior soccer with a rich assortment experience and quality.
The Caroline Springs-based soccer club, which currently boasts roughly 500 juniors, has ensured the senior team taking part in the West Division of State League Five will be more than just competitive.
Club vice-president Tom Markovski has enlisted the services of his high-profile brother John to become the Stallions’ director of coaching and former Socceroos goalkeeper Jeff Olver will assist the club’s young stoppers once a week.
“That’s a massive coup,” senior coach Darren Traynor told Star.
The new coach has also promised a number of on-field signings with National Soccer League experience to complement the club’s young brigade.
“The club’s very ambitious,” Traynor said.
“Tom Markovski and some of the committee members are looking at this as a stepping stone for us to go forward and to get up through the leagues as quickly as possible, and with having youth coming through the ranks.”
Though the inaugural senior squad may have plenty of experience, and many on the ‘wrong’ side of 30, Traynor is aware the club’s future is in its youth.
“It’s a really fresh environment and it’s starting from scratch,” he said.
“There’s no politics (and) there’s no history.
“We’re hoping to form our own healthy culture going forward and develop these young kids as they come through and (keep) them at the club (as we move) forward through the divisions.
“Hopefully one day we can get up into the higher leagues – it’s a good catchment in the West, so we need to capitalise on that.”
Despite only starting their pre-season little more than a month ago, Traynor remains very pleased with how his Stallions have prepared for the season, which kicks off on Saturday week.
As for what Traynor wants to see on the pitch, he understands the club’s rise through the ranks won’t be given to them on a platter.
“I’m probably more looking for consistency and development as we progress into the year,” he said.
“I’m hoping we’re minimum mid-table, but the key is for me, developing each week as a squad.”
