Wolves strike partnership with Belconnen United FC
PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s outfit Wollongong Wolves Football club has reached agreement with ex-Wollongong Wolves player, successful businessman and entrepreneur and local Canberra resident, Richard Peil to be the club’s ACT and Far South Coast Talent and Development Manager.
This position will cover Canberra, Eurobodalla and the Far South Coast of NSW.
Richard will be based in Canberra, working from the Belconnen United Football Club facilities and in collaboration with Belconnen United overseeing the program on behalf of the Wollongong Wolves.
He will cover the ACT and from Batemans Bay down to Eden and the Victorian border.
Wolves Director of Football, Dean Merola commented.
“Announcing Richard Peil as our ACT and Far South Coast Talent and Development Manager is a huge advancement for football. He has played at the highest level and has continued to be heavily involved with the game. Richard understands better than anyone the challenges faced by young kids coming through the system. You couldn’t find a better person to guide and mentor the next generation of football players.”
The role will encompass Richard identifying grassroots, juniors and representative players across this area and identifying those with the potential to reach greater heights with additional opportunity and exposure to supplementary training and technical levels.
This will be facilitated through Belconnen United FC where the initial program will be based.
Belconnen United FC have formalised their relationship with the Wollongong Wolves where now, both clubs agreeing to become Development Partners and further foster and grow football.
Ulisses Da Silva, Belconnen United Football Club, Technical Director added.
“Canberra has always been a strong football region and the Illawarra and South Coast have also enjoyed a long, proud football history. With Belconnen and the Wolves fully maximising our assets, resources and programs. Together, we have a much greater reach combined than individually and can provide and develop a whole range of additional pathways and opportunities that either were not available to players in the past or never existed. This is going to benefit Belconnen, the Wolves and football right across Australia.”
Initially centred in Belconnen, this initiative will expand to include regular engagements up and down the South Coast and across Canberra with seminars and clinics assisting the local football associations and coaches in providing additional coaching and development for across their competitions.
As participants develop they will be provided with the chance to progress and become involved in Wolves training sessions and exposure to the club in Wollongong.
This will give them additional experience and training and as they continue to develop, eventually move into the Wolves system full time when appropriate.
Co-founder and driving force behind Australian fitness success story Anytime Fitness, Richard Peil said. “I am very excited to have taken on this appointment. Having played at youth team level in the old England 1st Division (now Premiership) and for the Wolves in the NSL I’m aware how unbelievably rewarding, but also how cruel the game of football can be. I like what is going on at the Wolves at the moment and it was the perfect time and perfect role for me. The Wolves partnering with Belconnen is a significant plus as they have one of the best set ups in Canberra combined with quality coaches, with a particular focus on juniors and youth development. Guiding the next generation is a great responsibility. Football can provide pathways and opportunities no other sport can and giving as many of our kids as many chances as we can to grow and progress is something I’ve always been passionate about.”
Benefits flowing from this initiative will prove significant including
• The ability for local kids to stay at home, playing in their local competitions for their local teams but still giving them exposure to a higher level
• Ensuring the kids can be regularly watched and monitored and their progress and development professionally guided by Richard, Belconnen United and the Wollongong Wolves.
• The introduction of tournaments/academies/training sessions in cooperation with all, that provide another level of competition and engagement for players and the regions.
• Ensuring females have exactly the same opportunities and pathways as males through Belconnen United’s women’s teams and the Illawarra Stingrays.
-Wollongong Wolves Media Release
