New coach announcement overshadows Coast’s winning finish

SURF Coast enjoyed a 2-1 home win over bottom side Balmoral FC on the final day of the State League 4 season to finish an admirable fifth on the table.

Nonetheless, it was the announcement made by the Coasters’ committee hours earlier that had the club buzzing with the appointment of a new head coach who could well be a game changer for the Torquay-based club.

The now former technical director of A-League club Newcastle Jets’ famed academy, Mike Cooper, has been appointed senior men’s head coach.

Surf Coast said the acclaimed Englishman had also been appointed technical director to oversee the establishment of an academy.

“Along with Michael’s appointment in these key coaching roles, he will also head up the Surf Coast Academy, designed to help develop the game in the region by providing young players with a solid foundation,” said the press release, at the same time announcing the Surf Coast Academy would start later this year.

“Michael has recently returned to the area with his wife and two young girls. He has extensive experience and qualifications and a deep passion for youth development and football. Mike’s role was academy technical director at an ALeague club and is currently a FFA coach educator delivering the A licence coaching course.

“Mike’s goal is to develop the best club-based academy in the country and at the same time help young players have the start in football and life that they deserve.”

The club concluded the statement by thanking outgoing coach Adonis Markoulis for all of his efforts this year as senior coach.

The win over Balmoral completed a late season resurgence for the Coasters, finishing the year with three wins on the trot.

Following a scoreless first half, Jack Taylor opened the home team’s account with a goal in the 51st minute before Jack Williams netted what would prove to be the matchwinner in the 61st minute.

Markoulis praised his charges on their tenacity and determination.

“It was a solid performance from Balmoral, they were well structured in defence and really gave us a hard time,” he said. “But, in the end, they had no chances up front and with two headers from our two Jacks (Taylor and Williams) we won the game and finished the season in fifth spot.

“A week ago we were eighth, so it was a great way to finish off the season with three wins in a row.”