A NEW training kit, qualified coaches who can stick to a schedule, and no mucking about. Four years ago, Cleveland District State High School did not just hire a new football coach; they got themselves a new head of football excellence.
It was a season of records for Cleveland High School in the School Premier League this year, head of football excellence Garrett McDuling said.
They had more females compete in the junior and senior teams than ever, and also the first junior boys team to win both the league and grand final in the same year.
“All of our teams had two coaches appointed, with around 20 sessions conducted over the course of the season, where the coaches volunteered their time to help improve and drive the culture I have tried to install within our SPL teams,” Mr McDuling said.
Also acting as the senior head coach and technical director of Redlands United Football Club, Mr McDuling has a foot in both camps where he can “monitor and guide them not only at a school but also a club level”.
About 80% of his students in the SPL also play at Redlands United FC each week, he said.
Implementing video analysis techniques, GPS devices and the latest in sports science, the high school is eager to keep pushing its football capabilities further.
“The football community would have seen Cleveland over recent years transform from just metro and interschool sport to now offering such a diverse range of options for any one interested in football,” Mr McDuling said.
With Cleveland District State High School’s junior team going undefeated throughout the entire season, Mr Duling said he was truly grateful to their coaches Mr Dusinovic and Mr Ganter, and all the SPL coaches who went “above and beyond”.
