Gerdsen deal hopes to see Dragons fly high

15 April 2016

Gerdsen deal hopes to see Dragons fly high

2015/16 Head Coach, Willy Gerdsen has re-signed with the Canterbury United Dragons National League franchise for two more years.

“We are delighted Willy has accepted a 2 year contract, it allows us continuity, and the opportunity to build on the culture we developed through the last campaign”, says Roger Georgieff, Canterbury United Board Chairman.

Gerdsen took the reins at the Dragons last season - following the disappointing 2014/15 campaign - and guided the team into the post-season phase of the competition, the team’s first trip to the playoffs since the 2012/13 season.

Georgieff adds that Gerdsen’s experience and football philosophy, with an emphasis on playing attacking football, combined with his understanding of mental skills training, and strength and conditioning, will be hugely beneficial to the Dragons but most importantly, “he sets high standards and discipline that the players buy into.”

“Not only will Willy’s appointment provide us with stability, it highlights the franchise’s commitment to a long term focus, allowing us (Canterbury United) to develop our brand, but also our high-performance space, as we aspire to put programmes in place to develop the talent within our region.”

Gerdsen himself is “excited” at the opportunity to shift south, and is looking forward to “establishing Canterbury United as a top team, building on last season’s foundation.”

Sighting the 2015/16 team environment and the family feeling within the squad as big positives, Gerdsen believes the team was “unlucky, with disruption to the schedule - following the Valentine’s Day Earthquake - which saw his side having to play 3 games in 8 days.”

“I’m under no illusion, the 2016/17 campaign will be tough, the addition of two more teams will make the league more competitive. With that in mind, I will be working hard to secure the core of last season’s squad, as we target the overriding objective of making the premiership grand final.

Planning for the 2016/17 Nation League season is well underway, with Gerdsen is relocating late July, when he will view the local senior footballers in the Robbie’s Men’s Premier League Competition, ahead of finalising the Canterbury United squad.

ENDS

© Scoop Media