Poscoliero hoping the Flame can continue to fire with youth
With a wealth of experience and youth at a relatively new club, South Coast Flame FC are hoping to push towards achieving the goal of promotion and a rise through the Football New South Wales leagues.
The Flame currently competes in the Football NSW League Two Men’s competition; having been formed in 2017 the club has competed in the NSW leagues since 2018, with a focus on youth and coach development.
Former A-League Men’s Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory defender Jacob Poscoliero, was born in Wollongong and joined the Flame before the beginning of the 2023 season – the defender is excited to see the continued journey of the Flame.
“I grew up here… It is the first time I have played back [in Wollongong] since I was in the under-11s.”
Having won the 2014 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Grand Final and Waratah Cup with Blacktown City, the 33-year-old was drawn to the Flame because of the project they are looking to continue to build and he hopes to contribute towards that.
“It is a club in its infancy, so it is very early, but again it is fantastic for the local region because it is another NPL club and another pathway for these young kids to get opportunities.”
Poscoliero spoke on South Coast Flame FC coach Jason Spencer, who is implementing his style of football in the squad, having previously served as the club’s under-16s and under-18s coach.
“He has got a very attacking-branded football, heavily based on possession, which I like, he wants us to dominate teams.
“A lot of these young players have ambitions to go to a higher level and the only way they can really do that is if we are trying to push them and get them out of their comfort zone, in a football sense.”
Being a part of the club’s early years was a big attraction for Poscoliero to come back and play in his hometown where he hopes they can continue to push on.
“The lure and the attractiveness of coming here [was] to give my experience back to these young players and help the club implement the professionalism and a good culture where we can look to build and grow the club.”
The former Sydney United 58 man is proud to see football in the region grow, with other Wollongong-based clubs like NPL NSW Men’s side Wollongong Wolves and NPL NS Women’s side Illawarra Stingrays in the mix.
“It is fantastic that we are competing side-by-side and we are working together to progress football in the region.”
As for the objectives for the Flame, promotion is the main goal for the side, who hope to continue to create history in the region and help younger footballers achieve their dreams.
“[We are] under no illusions that it is tough… the intention is obviously for us to get promoted, but it is a very youth-development-based club, which is fantastic.”
As for young Flame players who have caught Poscoliero’s eye, the grandkids of ex-Socceroo Adrian Alston, twins Samuel and Alexander Alston, are ones to watch.
“They have been fantastic since they came in… but I think a big thing with them is just consistency.”
“They have all got the quality to step up and go to a higher level.”
Poscoliero is hoping for continued success for the region moving forward and hopes the young players can continue to progress, along with the club.
“If you look at the ex-Socceroos of the region, Mile Sterjovski, Scott Chipperfield, there is no doubt there is an abundance of talent, I think a big issue with football in Australia is that sometimes, it feels like for young kids, there are limited pathways.
“There is no doubt there is plenty of talent here, it is just about contributing and helping grow the game here.
“The more games for these young kids, the better.”
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
