Island Bay United AFC

Kia Ora, haere mai and welcome back to Shark Park folks, well as you the reader well know there comes a point and time in life when, not even I can withstand the wrath and fire of both (Sir) Paul Muollo and Rodney (Rodknee) Varga as they hunt and pursue me to all ends of Wellington to ensure, you the reader get an instalment of A Word From GUNEZ (AWFUG). Let's get cracking.

Never one not to take the Mickey out of others without dig at myself, its fair to say that, had I scored half the chances I've had up front this year then I think the 2nd team would be well on top goal difference wise rather than a few behind wharfies as we currently are. Although I do remember a certain ginga ninja pulling out a Kanu on Saturday and missing one easier to score!

Hot topic of the week is in fact the weather. Indeed we all know the joke about the boggy fields, wet weather, lack of outdoor training time, field overuse syndrome. Other jokes include bad tackle on wet ground induced injury syndrome as well as mid season-itis. Fair to say an article on each would do well to grace the fabled AWFUG column.

So we diverge to discuss the precipitation impact on our fine city. Luciano Collucci injured after impersonating Michael Witt from the Warriors, air kicking the ball and pulls his hammy. He joins a list of others who have unfortunately been injured on the less than ideal surfaces facing winter sport and, subsequently become gammy. Back in the clubrooms, Dave Rutherford, Rusty and E.T. have a can of Fanta, watch the horses with Benn the gambler and munch a toasted sammie. Rusty recalls Copenhagen '72 and the advert tells us that still, a little child waits.......

Been waiting a while, I reckon he'd be about 16 by now.

Last Saturday, blessed with a 2-30pm kickoff time, I cycled down to Shark Park at 9am to see how the Player Development Programme (PDP, 5-7yrs) was shaping up. The 12+ teams of 10 players were roaring round the mini fields, kitted out in various famous football teams such as A.C. Milan, Chelsea, Brazil, Portugal, Arsenal, Juventus and more! Carl Van der Meulen and the PDP coaches are doing a terrific job, I even saw T.V and Mike Musso (Moose-o) running a team, good one guys. The skill level was high and plenty of goals.

Several of the senior grade players are involved coaching junior teams this season, top work and I encourage more of you to take this opportunity up as the kids need the experience, knowledge and passion that you, yes you, have to complement the parent and volunteer base already in place. Not just here but in all clubs and all sport.

In other news, the eye-talien foursome Carlo, Giuseppe, Elenio and Moose-o went out Paua poaching at Red Rocks recently. The lads were unaware Bruno (the Great White Shark from Kapiti Island, Yes the actual oft seen 5m beast folks had made a trip down the coastline to feast on the local seal population.

Outraged at the seal carnage unfolding, Moose-o went out with his spear gun and Paua knife to save his kindred, only to be snatched from the Bruno jaws of death by Elenio, with Carlo urging for a swift recovery as he was eager to watch himself star in the next instalment of The Family Guy. Giggity-giggity....

Interestingly, more now than ever we have a fair mix of nationalities amongst the players at all levels of our football club and I warmly welcome Lai and Petero from Fiji, both recent international footballers, to 1st team level to the club. Bula Vinaka.

With a spring in the stride AWFUG now happily reports of our first international fans, readers through the website. Oh I could gush on this rather glorious moment for pages. Hello to both of you.

Don't forget Under 19 season is soon approaching, and as always the club is keen to hear and try out suitable players from around all the southern suburbs, what to bring is a good attitude and decent technical and physical abilities. We now boast a plethora of footballers through the top 3 XI's with Island Bay U19 links, and it is good to see some really stepping up and making an impact.

I would like to take this moment to acknowledge Benn "the gambler" Florance, Luciano "Luch" Collucci, Rich "the roadrunner" Steel, Yorick "the fish" Canales, Dave "I am on the Phoenix forum all day" Plowright, Carlo "Soprano" Petagna, Felix "the cat" Wenzel, Dominic "I love emo music" Scott, Peter "mama mia" Elenio, Josh "Lomu" Notman, Matt "Whippet-burn" Whitburn, James "Badger" Bennet, "kick-flip" Ollie Davey, Sandy "Sand Shark" Pawson, Jerry "mouthgard Van Lier" and Tim "here's to you mrs" Robinson in particular as fine examples of lads who have come through the U19 system in recent years and are making a difference on and off the field. There are some very good players coming through behind these guys including age-grade NZ international players who will keep everyone on their toes at training as the year's progress. The club must continue to work stridently to ensure it can retain these players and offer them high level football.

Finally, don't forget to make the effort to come on down tonight to the clubrooms from 7pm as Louis and his band play a few tunes. All the best to all teams this weekend, lets hope the net bulges, don't forget the Shark Attack salute and see you tonight.

Cheers
GUNEZ.

Shark Attack!

Labels: june