Over the coming weeks as we lead up the 2022 Season, we get to know the coaches who will be leading their teams out onto the turf. We start with Sturt Lions coach, Lino Fusco.
Why did you become a coach?
I did not plan to become a coach, but I am passionate about football and the role it can play in our community. Coaching is a way of giving back to the game, giving back what many other coaches gave to me over the years and supporting our local community. What football teaches us is important not just on the field but also off the field in our everyday lives.
Who is your coaching idol; and why?
I admire all coaches. No one person has all of the answers in football and the game is dynamic and always changing. There are many fantastic coaches at a professional level and I can learn different things from all of these coaches.
At a local level, coaching is a challenging role with very little resources and with very limited support structures in place and I think anyone who puts their hand up to take a coaching role should be admired from senior to juniors, miniroos to amateur league coaches.
What has been your biggest achievement(s) as a coach?
Being a small part of the team at Sturt Lions that has seen the club grow from a handful of teams playing in what can be best described as a paddock to a club with over 600+ players and a new $4m home base about to come online. Our first home game at the new Karinya will be a very proud moment for everyone involved at Sturt Lions over the past decade.
From a coaching perspective, being a part of our senior team winning the State League Grand Final surrounded by so many Sturt Lions supporters at a packed VALO Football Centre in 2020. State League Finals are special because it's not just about winning the championship, it's also about winning promotion.
Best SA team to watch, past or present, that excites you as a coach.
Sturt Lions U6 Miniroos. There is nothing better than watching a group of young boys and girls running around with smiles on their faces and having fun whilst chasing a football or one of their team mates around the field on a nice clear day. They are the future and it is very exciting to watch the continual growth of football in Australia.
What excites you most about the 2022 Season?
Playing home games at the new Karinya. It's been a long journey for football at Karinya since it was first started by Alan Charman and the former Blackwood Soccer Club.
Name a player in your squad under the age of 23 who we should look out for in 2022 and why?
Ben Woollard may still be young but he will be in his third season of senior football. An excellent technical player who is developing into one of the best full backs in the league.
Caden Yates is another fantastic young technical player with great potential.
We have added Tyreece Conway to our squad. He is an exciting attacking player who is dangerous around the penalty area and finishes well.
We have many younger players coming through at Sturt Lions. So watch this space.
Which new transfer are you most excited to be working with and why?
I am excited to be working with every player in our squad. We are not active in bringing in new players. Rather we focus on the players we have at the club and carefully add others that want to become a part of our team.
And finally....Besides finishing as high in the table as possible, what are your goals for the season ahead?
We finished third in the final series last season and were only 15 minutes away from probably reaching the Grand Final. We want to make the Grand Final this year. That is a massive goal because every team will return stronger in 2022 and we will need to be a lot better to match last seasons' performance.
As Frank Tibaldi said to the team, why can't we be the Leicester City? We have a fantastic group of players and support staff and, whatever happens in 2022, I am fortunate to be leading such a magnificent group.