North Side Monash – Champion Year

August 25, 2009 by J-Wire Staff
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Well-known Sydney catering identity, Passion8’s Steve Edelmuth, doubles up his passion for food with his passion for football.

The ex-professional goal-keeper has spent last season coaching Northside Monash. He reports their results….unbeaten in 18 games!

from Steve Edelmuth’s speech at last night’s prize-giving

When accepting the challenge to coach the All Age 3 Squad, the main aim besides obviously winning games and leagues, would be to keep the players motivated and to mould them for the future, hoping that by the end of the season, this team will be the team that everyone at Monash (especially the younger age groups) will look up to and aspire to, because the club does not want all the efforts that are put into the lower age groups to go astray, by seeing all the better players going off to other clubs.

As we stand just one game away from the end of the season, it seems as good a time as any to sum up the season from my point of view.

The team has exceeded my expectations in every way this season.

Starting a team from scratch was never going to be easy particularly the composition of our squad:

  • Half last year’s squad leaving the team to form their own AA side
  • Players coming into the AA ranks for the first time
  • Knowing that the more experienced players were leaving midway through the season to go overseas
  • Having to contend with a squad of 34 players.
  • Having probably one of the physically smallest teams in the league and definitely the youngest.

NORTHSIDEMONASHThese targets went beyond results to a genuine desire for a holistic approach encouraging a passion for the game, an uncompromising pursuit of excellence; discipline, a greater understanding of the game and the promotion of skill, technique, fitness and hence confidence.

I am relatively satisfied that most of the above criteria has been achieved with the team this season and also being able to motivate the squad to train twice a week and having over 20 players at every practice session.

After a shaky start, the team settled down nicely and after a couple of draws have not looked back and have played a brand of soccer that everyone – from the opposition, to the refs, to all the Alex Ferguson’s on the side of the field – complimented on, culminating in the first team winning the AA3 league with 3 games still to be played (which apparently has not been achieved since 2003 – so hard work and commitment does pay off) and the reserves securing 2nd spot, a great achievement considering that we lost more than 8 players to travel overseas.

Soccer is a team sport and relies on teamwork and sharing. The collective unit is as important as the individual components. I found it disappointing that there was a distinct split in the AA ranks and that the teams, which hopefully wore their club colours with pride, were not there to support one another. Also the lack of facilities is a serious problem, if the club is looking for success and promotion to the higher divisions. It is also incredibly important to encourage,

in one form or another, the club and its members to come out and support their premier team.

In football, as in life, it’s not so much the importance of the destination but the quality of the journey. I thank you all for a fulfilling season and look forward to continuing our relationships both on and off the field for years to come.

Special thanks to Colin for being the reserve team coach and the incredible support that he has given to the whole squad. Your commitment to the team is what sets you apart as a truly remarkable human being. It’s been a pleasure working with you.  Josie Rutovitz – our dedicated manager who was always there to support both the firsts and reserves and to Merv Rom for filling in while Josie was overseas – Thanks guys greatly appreciated. Not to forget our BBQ and drinks suppliers (the Awerbuch crew) for being there week in and week out. Lastly to out loyal supporters – thanks for coming out and supporting us and giving up your Saturday afternoons (when it did not rain) – the boys really appreciated it.

To the players themselves, I have loved coaching you guys – the laughter, the shouting, the hard work, the fun, the commitment, the support and the togetherness – we have been through it all and have come out on top – YOU ARE THE CHAMPIONS

Remember boys – not every year can be the same – some are happier than others, some are sometimes more successful than others, some seasons will teach you more than others, some coaches are better than others, but at the end of it all, you guys are a super squad, stay together and make it happen together. I would love to see all of you as one, representing and winning Premier League for Monash.

Most Improved Player

Trophy presented by: Barry Kodesh

Winner: Zac Stein

Golden Boot award: – Reserves

Trophy presented by: Elan Slater

Winner: Adam Folb

Golden Boot award: – Firsts

Trophy presented by: Dave Weiner

Winner Dylan Tooch

Players Player – Reserves

Trophy presented by Daniel Port

Winner Joel Palte

Players Player – Firsts

Trophy presented by Mick Vasin

Winner: Dylan Tooch

Player of the Year:

Trophy presented by Lance Shofer

Winner: Antony Pinshaw


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