The Moama Echuca Border Raiders will have two new coaches at the helm next season with Luka Van De Zand and Patricio Rodriguez set to take the reins as co-coaches of the senior men’s side.
The duo played for the Border Raiders this season, and will now step up into the role of playing coaches in 2023.
It is an exciting move for Moama Echuca, with the club looking towards a bright future ahead, with each new coach brining their own unique experience to the table.
Van De Zand kicked off his soccer career as a junior with the Border Raiders, also playing representative soccer in Bendigo and in the state leagues in Geelong before returning to his home club.
With his eye on a career in education and a passion for soccer, he said coaching was a great way to combine the two, while also giving back to a club that he said had done so much for him.
“Taking on the role was about trying to be involved with the club. There have always been great mentors around the club,” Van De Zand said.
“I’m looking at getting into education as a career choice and I wanted to align that with something social and outside of work and study and thought this would be a great way to provide that mentorship for the younger people coming through.
“I’ve had a knee injury so I haven’t really been able to be super involved with playing so this is still a way to be involved and support the younger ones coming through.
“I have struggled previously with my mental health and there were great people around the club constantly supporting me and understanding how I felt a lot of the time. The club really provided the support that I needed at the time so I sort of owe it to them in a sense.”
Rodriguez meanwhile has a wealth of international experience to bring to the role next season.
Originally from Chile, he took up soccer when he was six years old and played in the third division for Deportivo Lautaro de Buin.
“Over there we breathe soccer since we were born,” Rodriguez said.
“Soccer is a passion, that is what I love. I have been playing for a long time so I think that I know something about the sport.
“When Jono [club vice-president Jonathon Keele] gave me the opportunity to coach I told him yes straight away, I am happy to help the club in any way that I can.
“I have coached juniors back in Chile ... hopefully I can help the club.”
The Border Raiders struggled at times on the part this season, finishing on the bottom of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League Division two ladder with no wins in the home-and-away season.
But despite the tough going at times, the team claimed two wins in the BASL League Cup and saw a tight-knit bond build throughout the season among the men’s group.
And with the Border Raiders boasting strong junior and female programs, the coaches said the future was bright for the men’s side and the club as a whole.
“I think the biggest part of any club is development,” Van De Zand said.
”You really have to support your grassroots and those coming through and I am really excited to try and get a few more on board and really spur that younger development as well as with the older boys too.“
“Most importantly, at the end of the day, it all comes down to having fun, that is probably my biggest takeaway from it. If you enjoy playing, that is what we are hoping for.
“Our goal is to be competitive, have fun, and continue rebuilding and developing our numbers.”
Rodriguez agreed and said he was excited for the senior men’s team to get back on the winner’s list.
“I think this season we struggled to win some games, so ideally, we want to show some improvement there,” Rodriguez said.
“We want to win games, that is what makes the team stronger and brings excitement.
“Ideally we want to also bring new players in as well. We want to motivate young players and hopefully get them to join the club.”
Locals wanting to get involved in soccer won’t have to wait until next year to get a kick in, with the Border Raiders’ social soccer season set to kick off.
The five-a-side competition will run on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm at Jack Eddy Oval in Moama for those 12 years old and above.
Players of all abilities are welcome to join, with sides selected on the evening. Registration for the season is $40 per person.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/borderraidersclub.