EFL 2019: Stephen De Luca signs as Upper Ferntree Gully coach
Upper Ferntree Gully has announced its new coach for 2020. And he comes with experience from an AFL club.
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Stephen De Luca has joined Upper Ferntree Gully as coach for 2020 after serving a lengthy apprenticeship from grassroots to the elite level.
And De Luca, 36, has an ambition of lifting the Kings into EFL Premier Division for the first time in the club’s history.
He replaces Joel Perry, who announced before the end of the season he would stand down after two years in the role.
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De Luca worked his way into opposition analysis at Port Adelaide from NAB League club Eastern Ranges, where he filled a talent ID role, before joining Williamstown in a development position.
He also served as an assistant at North Heidelberg this year under AFL games record holder Brent Harvey.
De Luca said he had been preparing to take on a senior coaching position for the past decade after retiring from football in his early 20s.
“The whole journey was all about how I could grow … but when I started working with local footy and getting really hands on, that connection you get with the community and players really energises me,” De Luca said.
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“That’s what I’m about and what I want to do at Upper is build those strong relationships, be really positive, get these kids to grow — not just as players, but people — and that’s the awesome thing about footy.”
Upper Gully made a preliminary final in 2018 but missed finals by 2.93 per cent this year.
It was the Kings’ third season in the second tier after going through the 2016 campaign undefeated to claim the Division 3 premiership.
“I guess what they were looking for was someone who was aligned to their previous coach, in terms of what he was building with their style of play and someone who could continue on the work that has been done with the young talent,” De Luca said.
“I guess what I want to do is really build the club, really get the kids process driven, learning a game plan … (and) when it gets to the point we’re in Premier Division, we’re competing and we’ve got an identifiable brand that stands up.”
De Luca said a place in Premier Division be as a result of bonds he establishes at the club.
“That should be everyone’s goal, right?” he said of the aim to get the club into the top tier.
“I’m not going to shy away from that … I guess it’s my goal.”
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