Fitzgerald to switch Boambee’s focus from football to having fun.
The only minimum requirement Boambee coach Robert Fitzgerald has for his side in 2022 is to have fun.
He isn’t worried too much about results as the Bombers look to rebuild a culture that has shown signs of cracking over the last couple of years.
“You play your best footy when you’re happy and you’re playing for a cause, don’t you. That’s our main focus,” he said.
And while he won’t lose much sleep should the team take a while to get going this season, they’re also not just playing to avoid the wooden spoon.
“It’s about getting back to the reason why everybody pulls on the boots of a weekend,” he said.
“While it’s still an elite competition, we’re not playing A-League or for the Socceroos so we won’t lose sight of the fact it’s still a community sport.
“Don’t get me wrong, we still want to win and we’re not here to just make up numbers, but I wouldn’t be too concerned with a minimum set standard of what would equal a successful season.
“What’s going to equal a successful season for us is that pretty much everybody who plays this year plays again next year.”
But Fitzgerald wants the improved culture at the club to include every other grade and not just first grade.
“We’ll win, lose, draw as a team and still be there to cheer on the next game regardless of the result,” he said.
“It’s not just about training two nights a week and then a ressies and first grade game of a weekend. It’s about everything else that’s happening in the club as well, including supporting local juniors that come through the system and even going to watch the over-35s play.
“Culture has always existed at Boambee but over the last couple of years it seems to have been hard to keep.”
The Bombers have lost a number of players from last season which will hurt their depth.
With a decent run of injuries and player availabilities, the coach still believes they’re good enough to make the finals.
“We’ve got a pretty good side especially in first grade, but depth is a bit of an issue so fingers crossed for no long-term injuries,” he said.
“But if we can roll out our best teams regularly, I think we’ll give it a fair crack at making the finals.
“We’re not quite paper-thin, but we don’t have the depth we’ve enjoyed in the past.”
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