Geraldine excited about opportunity
Geraldine’s promoted men’s division one football team are hoping the surprise element works in their favour during the South Canterbury Football League.
The country side are a new addition to the competition.
Their entry keeps the number of teams at seven, after champion side Meadowbank decided to withdraw from the top grade due to a lack of players.
Geraldine coach Shaun Stack said they were excited at the challenge awaiting them.
‘‘It’s going to be a great challenge. We face Northern Hearts first up and they’ll be tough but we’re hoping the surprise factor helps us.
‘‘Team’s won’t have played us before so they won’t know what to expect or how we play, as our squad is different from the division two side we had last season.’’
Stack said they had been training hard since January.
‘‘The guys are raring to go. We want to see how we go against the top teams.’’
It’s been nine years since the side last featured in the division one grade and Stack hopes they’re not a one season wonder. We want to make this a permanent thing.
‘‘We have a number of players keen to play this season and hopefully if we do well, then that will continue.’’
Stack said their focus was to be competitive each week in what will be a long season, with 18 games scheduled and South Canterbury Cup matches set for Sunday’s during the season.
The Geraldine side could change each week with a large contingent of South American players who work on dairy farms, while players from Temuka have also made the shift across.
‘‘There’s plenty of numbers in the club as we will have a division two and an under 18 side as well.’’
Geraldine have a three week gap between their first game on Saturday and their next one a home clash against Timaru Boys’ High School, due to a bye and Easter falling in-between.
‘‘We can’t wait for the home match,’’ Stack said.
‘‘Hopefully, a few people will come to the Domain and watch us.
‘‘The division two team will be playing Meadowbank before us, so it’ll be a good chance to watch the teams at home.’’
Salvesh Chandra will be a key player and is captain of the side, while Ritesh Narayan, who has moved from West End will be important up front.
Karma Gyeltshen, brothers Tom and Stephen Harding are three young players to keep an eye on.
In their final preseason clash, Geraldine drew with West End.