I am always excited by a new season...and 2010 is turning out to be no exception when looking at Victoria's top womens league, the WPL. I interviewed the new Preston Lions coach Spiro Thalassinos - can he turn the Lionesses fortunes around or will he go the way of he last two coaches?? Can't wait to find out
Prestons Lions have appointed Spiro Thalassinos as the new coach of their premier league women’s team in an attempt to reverse the fortunes of the side which finished third last in 2009.
Thalassinos’ appointment makes him the third coach in just over six months for the Preston’s top female team, who managed just two wins last season.
He replaces Robert Spasevski who was appointed in June 2009 after the departure of Andy Fry.
Fry left the club mid-season last year after successfully coaching the Lionesses to a top three finish in 2008, the same year in which he was named coach of the year for the league.
Thalassinos has a history coaching top women’s teams, having lead the South Melbourne State League One women to a top two finish in 2007 and a promotion to Premier League.
Most recently Thalassinos coached Port Melbourne’s women and is also well known as president and cofounder of the high achieving football club, Essendon United.
In 2009 Essendon’s senior men’s team became the first club in 60 years to be promoted four times in as many years, and in 2010 the team will play in division three of Men’s State League.
According to Thalassinos the club’s instruction for season 2010 is to keep the women in the top league, which is not surprising given Preston’s Victorian Premier League mens teams was relegated and will play in State League One this year.
“For any team that hasn’t had a lot of recent success, to stay in the Premier League is paramount,” Thalassinos said.
“Everyone starts the season, especially in the Premier League, looking to play finals and that would have to be the aim…but there is definitely no pressure for the club, they just want us to consolidate and do the best we can for the year ahead.”
Thalassinos says he is aiming for the team to have a counter attacking style but his immediate priority is ensure the players can last the entire 90 minutes match.
“We are looking to be a pretty zippy team and counter attack as much as we can, but…what I have been preaching to the girls is we have to be good over the 90 minutes.”
“We are trying to get the girls trained up so when teams come and play Preston Lions they know that they are going to be at it for 90 minutes,” he said.
The Lionesses started their pre-season on a high winning the Macedonian Cup in February which featured five teams including former Premier League team Geelong and State League two team, Nobel Park.
Thalassinos would not confirm any new players to the club only to say there were a few new faces at pre-season training who are currently being assessed.
“Recruitment hasn’t been that high on the agenda, we have…tried to work with what we’ve got because we believe that the group (Preston’s squad) …are fairly well skilled with a lot of potential,” said Thalassinos.
Preston will be hoping Thalassinos will harness this potential and bring some of the magic touch he has demonstrated at his club Essendon United.
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