Tony Russ, who brings a wealth of knowledge to the club, will take on the director of coaching role. Russ is also the current reserve grade coach for Wallis Lake. 

Russ started playing football as a junior in Newcastle before playing with a number of clubs in the top level of the Premier League in Newcastle. 

He has coached the Great Lakes Vikings in first and reserve grade as well as Pacific Palms before having a couple of years off. Russ came back to coaching with Wallis Lake reserves in 2014 and will be coaching again in 2015. 

Jeff Summers has been appointed the junior development officer for the Vikings. The club has been trying to secure Jeff’s services in this position for quite some time. 

Summers represented Australia in the Schoolboys twice on a tour of Asia and on a tour of South America. He also represented Australia at the University games in Japan and at the National Youth League with the ACT Academy of Sport where he was ACT player of the year two years in a row. 

Summers has held a number of roles as a development officer and talent scout and has developed many contacts all over Australia.

GLUFC is convinced that this pairing is an ideal one for the junior players as Russ will be coaching the reserve grade and can liaise with Summers, the player and the parents. 

This will be a big help for the young players and their parents as often they have no idea how or where their child is heading. 

Tony and Jeff have worked together a number of times with Jeff playing in Tony’s team when he coached the Vikings. 

As FFA qualified coaches, both have a real desire for the local juniors to have the best coaching available. 

GLUFC will be manning the Bunnings barbecue on Sunday February 8 and Saturday February 21 between 9am and 4pm.  

Anyone interested in registering or for more information see club members on the day. 

The Vikings will also be holding a coaching day at Boronia Park on Saturday February 28 between 9am and 11am. This will be run by Jeff Summers and is open to any player in the area regardless of the club they are affiliated with. Players can also register online or go to the Vikings website: www.thevikings.org.au

Peter Summers