Relegation “a blessing” for the Blacktown Spartans

BLACKTOWN SPARTANS’ unbeaten start to the current PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s campaign has given the club plenty of hope for a bright future.

After suffering relegation from the state’s top tier competition in 2016 and losing every member of last year’s squad, rather than mope around feeling sorry for themselves, the Western Sydney club has been proactive in using the opportunity to focus on developing local talent and providing them with a platform to achieve their potential.

“Relegation was probably a blessing in disguise,” club President Adam Coleman told Football NSW.

“Being in the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s competition was a learning experience for us and being relegated probably made us understand that we needed to develop our own players”, rather than spend big money on imports.

“From my point of view, it wasn’t an issue being relegated because it has enabled us to rebuild for the future.”

With a minimal budget and a first-grade team boasting an average age of just 20, the Spartans face a formidable challenge from clubs whose financial clout and ability to attract talent surpasses their own aspirations.

Former NSL powerhouse Marconi Stallions for instance, continues to pour considerable resources into its squad, with the recent acquisition of former Socceroo Michael Beauchamp and former Hyundai A-League star Peter Triantis adding to an already impressive roster that includes men such as Sean Rooney, Marko Jesic and Mirjan Pavlovic, players who wouldn’t be out of place in the A-League.

Mounties Wanderers is also a club with considerable resources, and while Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners have the resources but different on field objectives, it’s obvious the Spartans need to plan for the future.   

So how do the Spartans plan to compete with the PS4 NPL 2 NSW Men’s heavyweights?

“Our short-term goal is to rebuild the club and consolidate where we are in PS4 NPL 2 NSW Men’s competition,” says Coleman.

“But when I say rebuild, I mean start from the grassroots so we can develop better players who won’t just be better prepared for senior football but will also enjoy being in an environment where they want to stay at the club.

“Where they’re happy at the club. Where the coaching’s good and the players want to play for the jersey and have a bit of loyalty. That’s our short-term goal.

“Our long-term goal is obviously to move back to the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s competition but to do it better and to be better prepared. I think the first time we were promoted we weren’t prepared for the step up.

“Having had that experience I think we’ll be in a better position next time we go up. We’re realistic in the fact that we know who we’re competing with in PS4 NPL 2 NSW Men’s and the budgets that they have are bigger and better than ours.

“It’s probably a three to five year plan for us to look at moving back into the top tier. That’s the ultimate goal.”

Coleman added that the appointment of Luis Contigiani as first grade coach was a classic case of perfect timing.

A former youth coach at Spartans, Contigiani moved on to gain experience as an assistant at Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Mounties Wanderers before taking a one-year sabbatical to study for his ‘A’ Coaching Licence.

His return has been remarkable, not just on the field but off the field as well. 

“Luis wants the boys to play for the club,” Coleman explains.

“He has bought into the club and wants to be involved in development. He wants to help our youth league coaches; he wants to help everyone around the place. He’s looking at the big picture and isn’t just focused on first grade.

“He understands how the 20s and 18s need to work to become first graders as well. After a brief stint away he has come back with more experience and a love and drive for the club that is infectious. He has come in at the right time. I’m really happy with how he has got the senior side working. He is a great club person, which is fantastic.”

Spartans’ rich vein of form in the opening two rounds has surprised many, especially given the team’s inexperience and the upheaval that befell the club after relegation. But despite their early on field deeds, Coleman believes a mid-table finish would be considered a success.

“With this team, finishing mid-table would be a success,” Coleman says.

“They’re a young group of boys and they’re moving in the right direction. Luis is working them hard and they’re buying into his philosophy and they want to play for him. If we can have a solid season this year – we’re not expecting to win the comp by any means – I’d be very happy.”

-By Derek Royal