From Hawks To Eagles For Len Catalano
He’s been a regular feature at Whites Hill Reserve for the past nine years having helped develop and build Holland Park Hawks, from it’s introduction to Football Brisbane’s competitions when joining in 2008, to the force it has become today. But former Hawks’ Director of Coaching and Operations Manager - Len Catalano, has hung up his boots on that the episode of his football journey and moved onto to a new challenge by becoming Football Director at new club Eagles FC in Mansfield. Catalano felt he’d done everything he could at Holland Park Hawks and indicated that a move to the FQPL was something he felt wasn't in his best interests.
“It needs a different level of expertise and the amount of commitment that’s required was just something I didn’t feel I could provide.” Catalano intends his role at Eagles FC to be very much ‘hands-on’, helping to first establish the club, being mainly junior based and to implement its three year plan. “We’re not going to turn any senior players away, but we want to give the junior side of things a strong framework and help develop those junior players into our seniors as opposed to go out and manufacture those senior teams.” “We plan to work with the juniors in the early years and to also develop a strong women’s and girl’s program.” Asked what the vision is for Eagles FC, Catalano replied, “We want to make Eagles FC a really strong community and family based club. We’ll have the two tiers of football available, whether it’s the social player who want’s to have a kick-about with their mates; or for those looking to take things a little more seriously and have structured training sessions, we’ll have a development pathway for them as well.” Catalano’s coaching strengths over the years has been in both juniors (boys and girls) and the women’s game, which having two daughters follow in his playing footsteps; was a natural progression. He explains, “I really enjoy coaching the girls and the women in particular. They seem to take on concepts and ideas a lot easier than the boys.” Asked what drives him on with coaching at this level, Catalano said, “There’s so much talk about development pathways these days, but my focus is on ‘the player’. It’s not so much where the club can go but trying to do the best for the player and not only be a coach but a mentor; helping them develop into a better person as well.” He adds, “It’s that holistic approach that I enjoy, which keeps me in good stead as well as helping develop good relationships with the players I’ve coached over the years.” The Football landscape in Brisbane is changing in 2018 and Eagles FC are looking to provide an opportunity for those players who may otherwise not be selected for FQPL teams or who might be overlooked at that level, to still be able to play a good standard of football and work their way up to FQPL or NPL consideration. Catalano emphasises that Eagles FC want to be a family friendly club though. “We plan to cater for everyone, from tiny-tots to senior men, being all inclusive as everyone is equally as important to the club as each other.” “We’re happy to be in that situation where we can be a feeder to the NPL and FQPL whilst also maintaining that social aspect and get kids enjoying playing football.” Eagles FC boasts two full size fields and one U10/11 size field. In time, Catalano feels the club can cater for 600 members but that would be towards the upper end of the club’s five year goal.
There is also the indoor centre which provides space for a number of sports such as futsal, basketball, netball, etc., but which can also be utilised for training during wet periods where the outdoor fields are not available for use. With Catalano initially signed on for three years with the club, he sees working with the local schools as an avenue to helping develop player numbers in the junior ranks. The club will also be looking at keeping registration costs as competitive as possible, in a bid to help attract players to the club who may be otherwise be priced out of the game at the elite level. “I’m certainly aiming at building Eagles FC into a great community club. We’re in a fantastic area here, central to most places and on the doorstep of the Gateway Motorway too and easily accessible.” He concludes, “It should be the club of choice for people in the area for those wanting to play football, whether it’s just socially or if looking to fill that gap between community level and elite level.” For those interested in finding out more about Eagles FC, or keen to take a look at the facilities, Len Catalano is always approachable. He can be contacted by email at: lencatalano@firsttouchforward.com.au The Eagles FC website, whilst still being developed, can be visited at: www.eaglesfc.sportingpulse.net
