Attacking move
…Luke Gerritsen to lead an attacking Panthers team in 2010

24 February 2010

BY SIMON BAMPFIELD

LUKE Gerritsen will lead the Portland Soccer Club for the 2010 Western Border Soccer Association season.

Gerritsen has experience in coaching with the club, having taken charge of the under-14 team for three years and most recently leading the women’s team.

Last year Gerritsen and the Portland women’s team moved from the bottom of the table to fourth place in the South East Women’s Soccer Association.

The newly appointed coach is hoping for a similar improvement from the men’s team in the WBSA.

“We have been on the bottom for the last two years so anything above that realistically,” Gerritsen said.

“I would like to finish mid table, I can’t see us matching the top three big teams over there, but middle of the table would be nice, but that depends on the cattle.”

Portland will play a more attacking style this season, moving away from the defensive formation of a 4-4-2 and will instead go with a 3-4-3.

“I have got a different way I want them to play, different formations I want to implement into the grades, the game has evolved a bit in the way it used to be played.”

It will mean the midfield will have to help out the defence regularly so fitness is a vital piece to the Portland puzzle.

With training starting a few weeks ago the fitness part of Gerritsen’s plan is well on its way, but the club would love more players.

“On Sunday we had about 30-odd people down and Tuesday and Thursday night we are averaging about 25-28.

“We need a few more, you probably want around 40-odd really because that incorporates A, B and under-17s.

“Any past or new players are welcome to come down.”

Erik Jensen is helping out Gerritsen with coaching duties at the moment and he will also look after the under-17 side while David Stafford has been announced as the under-12 coach.

Coaching positions for under-14 and women’s teams are still vacant.

Training nights for the club are Tuesday and Thursday’s at the soccer field and start at 6.30pm.

A pre season cup will be held in Portland later next month while the season proper kicks off the week after Easter in April.