NEW HOME GIVES UNITED GROUNDS FOR SUCCESS
THEY have emerged as the NPL’s surprise packets over the opening seven rounds but Gold Coast United coach Kristian Rees says his side’s ascension began much earlier.
The Surfsiders continued their impressive start to life under Rees with a 1-1 draw against highly fancied Gold Coast Knights on Saturday night, moving inside the top four after stretching their unbeaten run to five games.
Having battled on and off-field issues en route to 10th place last season, their 2019 rise has coincided with a permanent move into Tallebudgera’s Coplick Family Sports Park in December.
Their debut NPL campaign was spent in rundown facilities at Robina Station Reserve and Rees said the importance of the Coplicks switch could not be overstated.
“(The facility) is fantastic. I think a lot of the boys that were there (at United) last season were basing their decision on staying at the club around getting to Coplicks because the boys that I’d spoken to found it really hard at Robina and sharing a field with a rugby league club,” said Rees, whose side will return to Coplicks for tomorrow’s 4pm encounter with Olympic.
“It made it really hard with training times and getting on the pitch.
“We really want to get that stability within the club and I speak a lot about culture with the boys and really developing that and having that go through the whole club.”
The performances of United midfielder Jason Campbell and Knights defender Jaiden Walker in the Gold Coast derby were rewarded on Wednesday with selection in the NPL Team of the Week.
Having dropped to third on the ladder, the Knights will fight for their first win since Round 5 when they travel to Moreton Bay today for the 6pm game.
With last weekend’s game washed out, United’s women will return to action in the NPLW at home to Souths United at 2pm tomorrow.