‘Great step for the club’: Gerringong gears up for new era after promotion to District League
Covid prevented the Gerringong Breakers from advancing up the football ranks three years in a row. Now they have been promoted to the District League, and are set for their first test this weekend.
The South Coast News
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AFTER three years of trying in the Football South Coast Community League, the Gerringong Breakers are ready for a new era after their promotion to the PeopleCare District League.
The first test for the club comes this Saturday, when they face off against the Premier League’s Wollongong United in their first trial match.
The journey to reach this point for the Gerringong side has been much longer than anticipated, with Covid issues preventing promotion opportunities for the club, despite three years of victory in the Community League.
But at last the side has settled themselves among the big boys of the District League, with coach Bradley Boardman relishing the opportunity for his side to finally test themselves.
“It’s a great step for a great club,” Boardman said when asked about his side’s new venture.
“It’s been our ambition for years now and it’s great to finally be here.
“I’m confident the squad we have can be competitive.”
The club has been training since mid-December, around the time their promotion to the District League became official on December 14.
The District League is the second tier of competition for Football South Coast, only behind the Premier League.
For club captain Andrew Lockard, who has spent his whole life around the Gerringong club, it’s a proud moment seeing the club advance up the footballing ranks on the South Coast.
“I was four years old when the club started so I’ve been playing juniors since the start,” Lockard said.
Lockard is a well travelled player, having plenty of NPL experience both in New South Wales and Tasmania.
However, for Lockard, 42, the Breakers have a special place in his heart and he’s proud to be in the club colours ahead of this historic season.
“It was great to come back, and I’d like to think my experience elsewhere has helped build the club,” Lockard said.
“That’s sort of the pattern the club has followed, with a lot of experienced boys coming back to help now that we’re where we are.”
The Gerringong side has retained the majority of the squad that was successful in the Community League, but has also bolstered their ranks with a number of signings, such as Kasey Kulcsar from Albion Park and Richie Kessling who comes from the Brisbane Premier League.
“The new fellas have integrated well,” said captain Lockard.
“A lot of them were mates with us already which helps.
“They’ve also been playing in higher leagues before our promotion, so they’ll be bringing in some experience.”
Coach Boardman highlighted attackers Josh Hawker and Jake Packham as their potential game changers this season.
Hawker was awarded the Community League’s Player of the Year last season, while Packham finished as the league’s top goalscorer.
Rhyley Foenander is another Gerringong star to keep an eye on this year, a former NPL star and a fan favourite at Gerringong thanks to his effortless pace and skill.
Gerringong will also be looking for a big season from Zac Hawker and Jason Baxter, the two holding midfielders for the side who are pivotal in providing balance and workrates for the red and blue.
A good gauge of the side’s prospect this season will be in the Bert Bampton Cup which commences at the end of February, which puts together the 11 District League clubs as well five Community League clubs in a pre-season cup competition.
Gerringong has drawn Dandaloo for the first round, which coach Boardman describes as “a bit of a grudge match.”
“It should give us a good idea of where we‘re at as we go into the season,” Lockard said.
“It’s also a good chance for some of the younger lads to get a feel of the competition before the season actually starts.”
“We’ll be no doubt taking it seriously, we’ve go in with the intention of winning it,” said Boardman.
Gerringong’s trial game this Saturday is at 1pm at Macedonia Park, Berkeley, and the club is encouraging fans to rally behind their side as they go up against a tough opposition in Wollongong United.
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