From left to right: Daniel Dominguez (Team Manager), Antonio Cerqueira (FPFC President), Albin (Academy Coach), David (Head Coach), Andrew (Academy Coach), Jarek (FPFC Technical Director), Daniel Afonso (FPFC Vice-President).
Welcome to Season 2012.
The official start is now only weeks away, and Fraser Park is looking ahead with optimism that season 2012 will not be just another desperate battle to avoid relegation. A positive sign is that coach David Perkovic is backing up to guide the team from where he left off in 2011.
The hard work commenced in November, when the squad assembled for the initial meet and greet and setting of objectives for the season ahead. This was also around the time that David took off to Spain to spend 2-3 weeks in Spain to attend various coaching seminars. It was here that David was able to rub shoulders with peers from elite Spanish clubs such as Barcelona, Vila Real and Espanol. Invaluable experience which will assist David over the 2012 winter Super League.
David already sees some of the potential in the 2012 squad which perhaps has been lacking in previous seasons. This includes greater depth in key positions via a few key signings as well as a stronger U20 squad, which will hopefully bring more competition for first team places. Only time will tell.
As David puts is “ Our 3 key goals for 2012 will be to improve on our overall standing in 2011, remain competitive, and become more consistent with our results”. Which should go a long way to satisfying the long suffering fans at Fraser Park, who have become accustomed to the final month of the competition being a battle of survival. Perhaps 2012 is the year that Fraser Park battles for a place in the top 5 instead.
Under David, the team will continue to evolve under a simple philosophy:
1) Encourage players to aim to achieve targets, and not just turn up to play
2) Move on from a team that plays to just survive each year, by playing to avoid relegation.
3) Change player’s attitudes to respect the simple principles of the game, by giving 100% commitment to the goals of the team.
When asked about the likely standout players in season 2012, David found it hard to go past Danny Wilson who struggled in 2011 due to injury. If fit, Danny will have a bumper season. Paulo Oliveira was also singled out as a likely contender for another special season. Paulo remains a firm favourite with the Fraser Park faithful, given his ability to produce that something special in the big games. And in keeping with the tradition at Fraser Park of fielding great keepers, Michael Frost joins Fraser Park after recent stints with Apia and Sydney University.
David believes that 2012 will be a more openly contested season in Super League than in 2011. The benchmark is set to rise with strong squads expected to be fielded by the likes of Bankstown Lions and Berries, with Macarthur Rams expected to be the bolter for a semi-final place.
But success can only be achieved with the support of the Fraser Park fans. David and the Fraser Park Football Committee are appealing to the fans to support their team in 2012, especially during home games at “Fortress Fraser”.
We wish David and his team every success in 2012!
Fraser Park FC
