Sport

CREATING CULTURE AND PERSONALITY IN SPORT Only one team can win

Blacktown FC in action: Winning has it's own energy.

 BOB TURNER

IN sport, winning is a beacon for a rush of support. Just look at the Sydney Kings and the Tasmanian Jack Jumpers who will play in the NBL Grand Final Series.

Both have had supporters rushing their doors for tickets and merchandise. The key is sustaining that enthusiasm and capitalise on the momentum created by success.

The truth is only one team wins each year. The X factor in sport is long term support and not the roller coaster ride that success and/or failure can bring to a franchise.

Building a cohesive and competitive culture in an organisation is the ‘A’ factor that all coaches and administrators strive for. An inclusive culture leads to a winning one and is the starting point for a successful sporting team.

During my coaching days I was constantly sought by corporate partners on the secrets of building a team and successful culture. The reality is there were no secrets but a consistent eff ort to treat all associated with the club with a mutual respect. Recruiting decent players was also a must!

A solid culture leads to success on the fi eld/court that then attracts supporters who want to get in on the scene. At Blacktown City, I was so relieved when I met our Head of Football, Mark Crittenden, a year ago when I got involved with the club.

An ‘Old School’ type of coach he has steadily built a club culture that not only produces winners on the fi eld but off the fi eld as well. He deals in people skills and people management where no one person is more important than the next. If you miss a training, chances of starting the next game are limited, no matter who you are.

That culture at Blacktown City FC is the cornerstone of the success that will lead to our expectations of becoming the ‘Pride’ of Blacktown from a sporting perspective. We have the quality of players, stadium, competition status playing in the Number

One competition for Men in NSW and opposition names like Marconi, Sydney Olympic and Sydney United to capitalise on the culture within the club.

Combined we have the ingredients to achieve our goals. Adding our Women’s team to the mix this year will only increase our reach and profi le. Blacktown City FC Senior Women have only just commenced but the Men’s programme stands as a shining example of the culture to build on.

Winning is a plus but it is also personalities that engage a community and help to build a profi le. Our Head Coach, Mark Crittenden (Critto), has the name, profi le, personality and most importantly the credibility to lead Blacktown City FC.

Players are a critical and obvious ingredient to excite and enthuse the public. We have a host of players who have led to a player stability in the organisation. Those players have established a consistency that has led to wins on the pitch.

In 2022 we have also added a few new players that have created a buzz at Blacktown City and fear in opposing teams. Mitch Mallia has come back to the club after three seasons at Marconi and has had an immediate stabilising impact on the club.

New imports Hirokai Ayoama and Jordan Smylie have been welcome additions with an enthusiasm and skill level that has been a treat for Blacktown supporters. Ayoama is incredibly skilled with the ball and has learned to adapt to the physical size of the Australian players.

Jordan Smylie came to the club this year after a season with the Central Coast Mariners. The 21-year-old has been a breath of fresh air with a sense and smell for the goal.

He is currently tied for the Golden Boot award having scored 8 goals in seven games. Smylie plays with a reckless abandon that is great to watch and keeps the opposition on its toes.

Covid hit the club after Round two that resulted in postponing the Round three game against Marconi. Blacktown is now back on track with four wins and a draw in the last fi ve outings to sit second on the table with Apia Leichhardt.

Blacktown also had a solid win over Apia mid-week in the fourth round of the National Australia Cup. The goal for Coach Crittenden is to make it to at least the fi nal 16 with a chance to once again play an A League team.

Blacktown FC is back at home on Sunday, May 15 when they host a surging Sydney Olympic. Game time is 3pm with the Under 20’s at 1pm.

Go Blacktown City!

Bob Turner is Executive Chairman is Blacktown City FC. www. blacktowncityfc.com.au