This year is shaping up to be a big one for soccer in Australia; the countdown to the FIFA Women’s World Cup is well and truly underway, in which Australia and New Zealand host 32 competing nations, the largest women’s sporting event in the world.
It doesn’t stop there.
Following the publication of Football Victoria’s 2023 Competitions Calendar, marking myriad dates for major Victorian competitions, themed rounds, programs and more, you best believe 2023 will be a year unlike any other for soccer locally, across the state and the nation.
After a successful first year as Sale United Football Club president, Tom Breakspear will be looking to further the club’s achievements in 2023.
“I was given the opportunity to take on the president role at Sale United in 2022 after having the vice-president role since 2020,” Breakspear said.
“The club performed well coming out of COVID in 2022.
“Our senior women were contenders throughout the season and showed great strength in securing the Browne-Huzier Cup trophy.
“The senior men’s teams had mixed results on the pitch, but the hard work showed when they really built momentum in the back end of the season.
“Our junior grades were tremendous throughout where we made two grand finals, winning the Under 11s and narrowly missing out in the Under 13s.”
Breakspear harbours the utmost confidence in this year’s coaching team, in which SUFC has re-signed Anouk Meereboer as the 2023 men’s head coach, Madelaine Breakspear as the 2023 women’s head coach, Romi Bitar as the women’s assistant coach and Paul McGrath as the men’s second division coach.
Sale United has also signed new additions, Mark Cockell and John Campbell, as the senior men’s assistant coach and men’s reserves coach.
“We have a fantastic coaching team at SUFC again this year that just keeps getting better,” Breakspear said.
“Both Anouk and Maddi return this year after great work on and off the pitch last season; both are exceptional coaches as well as strong drivers in making Sale United a great place for everyone.”
Sale United appointed Madelaine Breakspear as head women’s coach in 2019, following her final year playing for Box Hill in the National Premier League Women’s competition.
“I coached a junior girl’s team at SUFC way back in 2010, but this time round, I’ve really found a spark for it,” Breakspear said.
“I started off as a player when I was four years old, wanted to be like my brother, but then got hooked!
“I fell into coaching when I was pregnant, mostly because I would have gone crazy without any kind of soccer in my life. So this way, I got to be involved heavily while unable to play.
“Since then, I have really enjoyed passing on my soccer knowledge and helping the local girls improve individually and as a team. I feel like I can give back to the sport that made me the person I am through coaching.”
Sale United’s senior women finished third on the Latrobe Valley Soccer League ladder behind Fortuna ’60 and 2022 premiers Falcons 2000.
After defeating Fortuna 5-1 in Round 1 of the Browne-Huzier Cup and Falcons, 4 -3 in the semi-finals, Sale United secured their place in the Browne-Huzier Cup against East Gippsland United Football Club (EGUFC).
A late goal in the second half would establish Sale United’s 6-0 lead over East Gippsland United, cementing the game’s final score.
“Personally, I want to continue to advocate for women’s football in our region, make it a stronger competition and continue to improve our participation numbers,” Breakspear said.
“As a team, I’d love to see us defend our cup title whilst working on our style of football.
“Each season, I try to improve what we did previously. We want to continue to challenge ourselves and improve on what we do on and off the field.
“We have some past players returning, such as [previous] assistant coach Maddy Forbes after having her second baby, Zoe Askew, Abby Kemp, and Brooke Elliot, also returning after having a baby.
“We’ve also gained some new players from the Go 7’s competition, such as Soreti Anderson.
“This year, we have big plans for pre-season and our pre-season camp in particular, to create a team with a strong bond. In regards to on the field, we will continue to build on our style of play, especially with some personnel changes.
“We have some very strong attacking players this year, and they will be a nightmare for defenders. I’m also aiming for one of our strengths as a whole is to have a team that works hard for each other.
“I believe in having an ingrained style of play for my team whilst encouraging individual creativity. We play an attacking style of football; we aim to keep possession of the ball and move it in a positive way.
“We have unfortunately lost a fair few players from last season’s team.
“Camille Japhary, Jade DuVe, captains Lilian Tesselaar and Courtney Quadrell, Leyla Babuc, Majidah Bitar, J’Amela Bitar, Izzy Hearsey, Charli O’Loughlin and Sami Kent.
“These girls contributed so much to the team, so it will be a real loss, but I am so proud of the next adventures they have in store for themselves.”
Breakspear cites Hollie Ryan, Milli Harbour, and Emma Robb as players to watch this season.
“Hollie Ryan is always one to watch,” Breakspear said.
“She is one of the strongest, most skilful players in the league; she’s exciting to watch, and every season, she gets better and better.
“Young Milli Harbour will also be one to watch; her tenacity and work rate in the midfield is impressive.
“From a defensive perspective, Emma Robb will also be a force to be reckoned with,” Breakspear added.
“She is always willing to learn and improve her game.”
Breakspear is looking forward to playing tougher teams that will present a challenge and where the outcome is unpredictable, which is why SUFC’s women’s head coach is excited to face Falcons in the 2023 season.
“I’m looking forward to coming up against Falcons, they are a strong young team, and it’s always exciting playing them,” she said.
Anouk Meereboer has been a coach at Sale United Football Club since 2019, first as the Under 16 Boys coach before becoming the club’s men’s head coach in 2022.
“I have been playing soccer since I was 8 or 9 years old,” Meereboer said.
“My brother played soccer, so I think I just followed him. I used to play tennis as well, but I decided to just play soccer at a certain point, probably because I enjoyed the team sport more.”
Characteristically drawn to helping people, this was how Meereboer found herself becoming the first female in Latrobe Valley Soccer League history to be appointed coach of a senior men’s team.
“I think I enjoy helping others, I took on the coaching position with Sale u16 boys because they didn’t have a coach, and then the kids would miss out on playing soccer,” Meereboer said.
“And now, with the senior men’s coaching position, I saw soo much potential in the playing group that was unused. With it being a really respectful and friendly playing group, it’s really enjoyable and motivating to see the progress and improvements they make and getting more of the potential out of the team.”
Meereboer’s objectives for the 2023 season include promoting the global game of soccer.
“Try to grow the numbers at the club and try to get the players as motivated to play as possible,” she said.
“If the players are motivated, and the vibe/culture at the club is good, results will follow for all grades.
“There will be a number of changes this year,” Meereboer added.
“Having recruited a few extra coaches, we will be trying to find a new balance. One of the main things we will improve on with more coaches is players being able to train more with their team.
“Last year’s coaches Paul, Mauricio and myself started a project that Paul, myself and the new recruits John and Mark will continue in the new year.”
Whilst Meereboer says she hasn’t yet fully developed her philosophy as a coach, there are rules she foes by when coaching her teams.
“For example, I got the three A’s rule of Attitude, Attendance and Ability; based on the three A’s, I decide on my teams,” she said.
“Looking at my playing style, growing up in the Netherlands, I have been really influenced by total football.
“I like to have all players involved and playing an attacking style of football; this, of course, all depends on the players I would have available.
“Culture is as important, or maybe even more important, than the playing style. If players are enjoying themselves/ experiencing a positive vibe, they will always perform to a higher standard. I think these items will form part of my coaching philosophies.”
This season, Sale United Football Club will field a significant number of new players throughout the men’s grades, with current numbers double that of this time last year.
“We have lost a number of players, mainly due to university or working at the RAAF, as well as some players keen to play in a higher league; however, currently, we have gained more players than we have lost,” Meereboer said.
“Last year, we started with around 25 players who indicated they were keen to play; currently, we’re looking at around 60 players who have indicated to be keen to play this season.
“Also, knowing we’re still in the holiday period, we expect the numbers to rise! That would be awesome because we can then push to have four teams.”
Meereboer is confident ahead of the 2023 season, believing Sale’s strengths will be the energy and creativity of the younger players combined with the discipline and experience of the more seasoned players.
“I’m impressed with the improvements and capabilities of all players in my squad; we’re looking a lot stronger than last year,” Meereboer said.
“If I need to pick names, the combination of two of our younger players, Cooper Coleman and Charlie Cockell, will be really dangerous.
“With more experience like Marrien van den Heuvel, Richo [Jake Richardson], Isaak [Jondahl] and Ot [Khamchom] around them, will make it a squad to watch out for,” she said.
“I’m expecting one or two more superstars to surface over the next few weeks as well; plenty to look forward to.”
“There will be plenty of interesting games to look forward to; first, we will have the FA Cup Game in February, then we’re hosting Kendall Cup, followed by a Saturday night game against Fortuna in Round 1 of the league competition.
“Throughout the year, there is always the rivalry with our friend EGUFC, which will make for some good games as well.”
In his second year as SUFC’s second division coach Paul McGrath aims to push his side to be more competitive.
“With last year’s squad being so young, and the majority of them aged 16-20 years old, along with a few old heads in the squad, the younger players did struggle at the start of the campaign, but by the end of the season improvement was there to be seen,” McGrath said.
“I’m currently studying for my “C” Licence Certificate, and hopefully, it will benefit the team and myself. This season we aim to push on with our success on and off the pitch and hopefully embrace success that might come our way.
“Pro-active football – possession based – effective possession. Pro-active defending by winning the ball back and transitioning to counter-attacking play,” these are McGrath’s coaching philosophies.
“Be resilient at all times and show respect,” he adds.
Information about Sale United Football Club and their various football programs can be found on their Facebook page.
“If you’re keen to give soccer a go, new in town or want to come back to the sport, come down and join in at our training sessions on a Tuesday and Thursday night,” Meereboer said.
“We welcome any player, from newbies to more experienced players. There is a really positive vibe at the club, and I expect a great year for all teams on the performance as well as the social side of the game, so come and be part of it.”
