By Brian Stockwell
FOOTBALL fans around Noosa will have their first chance to take a sneak peak at what lays in store for season 2017 next Saturday.
Noosa’s top three teams take on their namesakes the Brisbane Lions.
With the injection of some great young blood into the Premier Men’s side, competition is fierce for a spot.
Players such as Noosa Junior and last year’s Sunshine Coast Fire Captain, Grant de Chastel will be out to impress Premier Men’s Coach and club Technical Director Kevin A’herne-Evans.
Twenty-year-old de Chastel is a tough-tackling, holding midfielder who is a specialist at disrupting opposition attacks through central areas.
Grant was one of three Queensland NPL players recently selected for the PS4 Player Pathway Award Camp.
This Sydney FC initiative provides an avenue for young players to progress to Australia’s professional football competition.
Sunshine Coast Rookie of the Year in 2015, Chris Jancevski, another Noosa player coming back from the Fire for 2017, will be joined by impressive import Oriol Salter.
Oriol played Under 18s for Barcelona FC and is in Australia as part of his professional coach development program.
Improving his English is the key to success in coaching in Europe, and Oriol hopes to gain both language and football skills in his time at Noosa. A’herne-Evans reckons with his impressive ball skills he will probably quickly learn some Australian vernacular, particular from the opposition players he beats.
Games start at Giraween Sports complex from 1pm on Saturday 17 December with the Under 17 game.
Noosa has an impressive squad of Under 17s with the likes of ex-Fire players such as Harrison Hooper, Joey Higginson, Tom Whittacker and Aiden Vitale who is coming back to the club where he has played most of his junior football.
Reserve grade game starts at 3pm with the Premier Men kicking off at 5pm.
What promises to be a fun night for all the family with the club’s legendary gourmet burgers on sale, and rumours that a big-bearded gentleman with a red suit may make an appearance to reward any good little Lion cubs present at the main match.
