Another Step Forward

we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t challenge some of this talent with exposure to an NPL experience at different stages

Moreland City Football Club took another step towards the Football Development model we’ve been building by appointing Diego Lopez as our NPL Under 14s Coach.

Diego is a passionate football man with over 12 years’ experience at Northcote, Melbourne Knights, Keilor Park and Avondale. He lives and breathes the game. His son, Santi, has joined MCFC, his daughter, Layla, has just signed on a soccer scholarship at Utah and his other son, Ole, is a talented player at Essendon Royals. Football is in their blood and the entire coaching group is excited to have Diego’s energy and wealth of knowledge on board.

Diego has also agreed to help coordinate the NPL Development Squad (U12/U13). It became clear, after assessing player talent in this bracket, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t challenge some of this talent with exposure to an NPL experience at different stages.
 
Diego’s assistant will be Franco Pennisi (Former Coach), who returns to Moreland and is another coach of great football experience.
 
Pre-NPL Coaching
Steve Rembelos remains Under 13s coach and he is very supportive of challenging our players, and the aspirational model we are creating.
 
Robbie Marcen and John Patsoukas will support Steve as they remain enthusiastically involved in this age bracket.
 
Further coaching and development of the U13s and U14s will come from myself, Janusz Podgorski and Jacob Stenson.
 
The support for this group is fantastic and should pay great dividends as the boys continue to improve through their football journey.
 
There will be a parents’ meeting hosted by me in the near future to outline the Four Corner Player Model which takes a holistic approach to youth development by considering the Technical, Physical, Psychological/Tactical and Social aspects of the individual players.
 
In the meantime, I ask that you continue to support the coaches and the club while you relish the time you spend with your boys.  Let us all work together, ‘Love the Game’ and enjoy the journey, not just the destination.
 
Regards,
Colin Cooper
Head of Football Development