New Whittlesea coach Wayne Van Der Ross discusses his plans for 2023

The chance to coach in the Northern league’s top flight and mould a young team made Whittlesea an opportunity not to miss for Wayne Van Der Ross.

New Whittlesea coach Wayne Van Der Ross.

It might sound like a cliche but new Whittlesea coach Wayne Van Der Ross believes the “sky is the limit” for his young team.

The Eagles boss wants to build the club into a sustainable NFL Division 1 outfit, ending its yo-yo-ing between the top flight and Division 2.

Whittlesea has won four Division 2 premierships since 2010 but has never stayed in Division 1 longer than three seasons and never finished higher than ninth.

Van Der Ross will look to build on a tumultuous 2022 season, which saw the Eagles avoid relegation by one game but also showcase their potential with wins over West Preston-Lakeside and Macleod.

“I said to the boys at the start of pre-season, the sky is the limit,” he said.

“What I’m going to concentrate on is growth and development within the team, last year they finished with four wins but were competitive in a lot of the games.

“I want to improve that, I want to be competing for four quarters and playing more consistent football.

“It’s about teaching some of these kids from the 17s and 19s to play senior footy, anything can happen with a young team.

“We want to be sustainable in this division.

“Everything we’re doing is about getting this club sustainable in Division 1 and becoming a good football team that the other clubs respect.”

Van Der Ross arrives after two seasons in charge of Outer East Division 2 side Yarra Glen.

He was named senior coach of Knox before the 2020 season was cancelled and has previously been senior assistant at Glen Waverley, Ringwood and Lilydale in the Eastern league.

The opportunities to step into a top-flight competition and help mould a young club was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Riley Carter in action for Whittlesea last season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“A mate of mine had played at Whittlesea and he mentioned it to me, I went for the job and the stars aligned,” Van Der Ross said.

“It was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse, it’s a big job in a big league, Northern Division 1 is the equivalent of Eastern Premier and I thought I was ready. I’m really excited.

“We’re playing against some really big clubs in Montmorency, Heidelberg, Bundoora, it’s a big challenge but one I’m looking forward to.”

Last season’s interim coach Jimmy Robinson has re-signed as a senior assistant coach and will also look after the reserves.

Whittlesea returns to pre-season training after the Australia Day weekend and has locked in three practice matches against Eastern clubs Mitcham and Doncaster as well as Northern Division 2 outfit Eltham.

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The Eagles are working hard on recruiting for the new season with ruckman Thomas Flood joining from VAFA Division 2 outfit Manningham Cobras.

“There’s a lot of work being done behind closed doors,” Van Der Ross said.

“We know what we need and those particular players were working on and hopefully we’ll have some announcements in the next couple of weeks.”

Whittlesea kicks off its Division 1 campaign with a trip to last season’s preliminary finalist Montmorency.