Sport
14 February, 2022
Bulls bare horns for 2022
SEASONED player Kane Alderton has traded his football boots for coaching shoes as he takes on the top job as premier mens coach for the Mareeba Bulls in 2022.
Alderton has been playing on the soccer field since he was six years old, only ever taking a break for his kids and family, but he quickly found himself back out on the field.
Playing in Second Division last season, Alderton was himself a previous Premier Mens player and helped the Bulls to multiple grand final appearances during his time playing.
After spending years on the playing field Alderton decided to “get out of his comfort zone” and see what life is like on the sideline as a coach.
“I’m getting long in the tooth now so It’s time for me to hang the boots up and concentrate developing the young ones coming through,” he said.
“It was suggested to me and after having some long chats with my wife I threw my hat in the ring.
“It gets me out of my comfort zone and try something different.”
Despite just stepping into the role Alderton doesn’t believe the pressure is on and is looking forward to the season ahead.
“I’m excited and nervous, people have said that the pressures on you have to win games but I don’t believe that,” he said.
“This year for us it’s about developing the good young players coming through and getting the best out of the players.
“I know it’s a big step in, big shoes to fill – the pressure is there yes but we’ll do it our way and hopefully get the best out of the players.”
Moving into the season Alderton is ensuring a hard and committed pre-season focus for the Bulls as he wants more players on the field for longer.
“Having played with a lot of the players from prems and reserves, I believe we have the quality but it’s just that extra step, getting that extra bit out of them,” he said.
“We’d like to play some attacking football so for us we need to be fit and we need to stay fit, so especially this pre-season that’s what we’re focusing on.
“We’re trying to keep players on the park rather than have those injuries mid-season.”
Joining in Alderton’s aspirations is previous Second Division coach Joe Marinelli, who has stepped up to the plate in 2022 and taken on the job as the Reserves coach.
Both coaches are striving to develop a strong connection between the two top divisions and foster growth in the younger players as they move through the ranks.
“It’s not a short term goal at this stage we’re hoping that it will a two to three year plan,” he said.
“Me and Kane will be working together but ultimately he is the prems coach so he has the final say, but the aim is to work together to progress the up and coming players.
“We do have a vision and that vision is not going to happen in the first 12 months, it’s going to be a long term plan but as usual we will go out there to win.
“The plan for this season will be to bring the team together and make the finals, and if we get to the grand final that’s a bonus for our first year.”
