Sharks on track for a big 2016

Each New Year brings with it the excitement of possibilities and opportunity. A chance to start anew and achieve what could not be attained in the previous 12 months. In football terms the New Year rings in at the final siren of our last game, if lucky we hear it sound out in the final week of September. Our New Year’s came early this year. As with any New Year, resolutions were made. Time away from the Club during the off-season providing an opportunity for players and staff to reflect and demonstrate their commitment and passion for the mighty Blue and White.

Resolutions made on New Year’s Eve are often the hardest to keep and easiest to forget. However one thing that has been clear this year since the start of preseason, the players are focused on keeping true to their resolutions. From the first day in preseason the boys have showed a commitment to the new program and an intensity and desire to improve. Physically most of the players are in the best shape they have been in since my time at the club. Their commitment has been rewarded during testing with PB’s and club records falling since day one. The testing conducted last week on return from Christmas was no different.

The group as a whole has improved and work extremely hard. The young players who have pushed up from the Colts have settled in well, with the likes of Nick Menegola, Big Mick Cornan and Tommy Marshall in particular impressing. Senior players who have also impressed include the ever reliable duo of Matthew Jupp and Mitchell Boyle, the likes of Aaron Holmes and Dion Anthony, who are both clearly pushing for more senior games in 2016, and Sean Henson and Jayden Schofield who have shown constant improvement. Other notable mentions include our new recruit Matt Watson, Andrew Stephen and Cameron Armstrong.

We will continue as a group to lay the foundations for 2016. The challenge for us going forward is to maintain our desire and intensity to improve and to continue to push the standards within our young playing group to match that of our passionate supporters. From what has been demonstrated since the begin of our New Year in October, I have full confidence that the playing and coaching group are up to this challenge.

Go Sharks!

Ashley Cripps

Head of EFFC Sports Science