An Interview with Dave Heads, Coach of our 1st Team
What is your background?
Originally I am from the Midlands- England. My family were avid Aston Villa supporters, but I saw the light & have supported my heroes- MAN UNITED, since the age of 10!
I played in NZ from 1972 to 1975 for Papatoetoe and then went back to UK for 20 years for family reasons, returning in 1995. I coached lower grades eventually rising to Super League at Papatoetoe, and then moved to Manurewa to Coach the 1st Team who were Division 3 in the Northern League. We got promotion to the 2nd Division in my first season at Manurewa and finished mid-league in my second season. I left Manurewa at the start of my 3rd Season due to a conflict with a Committee member & went to Ellerslie to Coach 1st Division. One of my worst decisions... I only stayed about 3 months pre- season!
I returned to my roots and Papatoetoe coaching the U17 & U19 Teams taking the U19’s to the Metro League title & winning a Tournament in the Cook Islands beating the National Team, National Youth Team & top League Team.
At this point I decided to retire from coaching due to the arrival of a new granddaughter, but just couldn't let it go. Halfway through last season, I went to help out a very good friend with the Three Kings Premier League side, who had only secured 3 points all season! Together we managed to “stop the rot” in the way of major losses, but couldn't prevent them from dropping into 1st Division for this Season. So you see, contrary to popular belief....I can't walk on water!!
What are your expectations for this season?
I will be very disappointed if we are not at least in the top 3 of this division, with the players that we have....some that were already here who have lifted their game & attitude, & some of the players we have brought in & are hoping to keep. The club did not put unrealistic aims forward for me to achieve...but I have very high standards for myself & my squad that I think you will see come through this season. We intend to WIN!! At the moment it is very easy, as I am getting tremendous help & support from the club, & especially my Manager, Peter Cooper, coaches Brian Derby & Graham Duffield, who are very experienced & are spending an awful lot of time, that they don't always have, helping me get the squad fit & ready to go! We will be ready for that first whistle...as to whether we are good enough, only time will tell.....but I am fairly happy with everything at the moment.
How you are going to achieve your goals for the team?
We are working very hard on bringing unity to the squad (1st Team & Reserves will train together all season). We intend for the routine to carry through both teams & the Reserve mode of play will mirror the 1st Team, so any player will be capable of playing in either team at any time. We started training on January 13th & have been training twice weekly since.
We are going on a pre-season camp/training game, weekend to Te Puna, just outside Tauranga. We will be staying in a camp ground in basic backpacker facilities, & working on the players getting to know each other better socially and training-wise, also during the 2 games we will play on the Saturday & Sunday, against FC Fury, a local team. It is not a “boozy” weekend away, they will be working very hard, running & training on the beach every morning at around 6-30 to 7-00am, then breakfast, swimming, lunch, then a game in the afternoon. Evenings will be spent on game analysis, discussion & improvements we can bring in.
What is the feeling amongst the camp?
I can only describe it as AMAZING...there is a real “buzz” going through all the players...a real belief that we can really achieve something over the next 3 Seasons....yes I have asked to stay for 3 Seasons...I intend being here for quite some time & intend getting Papakura back to the sort of club it used to be, where all the Juniors & Youth know all of the Squad by name, feel comfortable approaching them at any time, for advice or just to say “hi”.
You should come along & watch a training session (Tuesday and Thursdays 6.30-8.30pm)....it is so intense it is unbelievable, but they still laugh & joke about!! So many of the players are pushing themselves way outside their “comfort zone” it is really rewarding to see.
What is it like to be at a new club?
It doesn't really feel like that....I know so many of the Committee & “senior players”, having kicked them whilst playing against them over many years. Bruce McGrath & I have been friends for a very long time, so his support has been invaluable, as has the support I am constantly getting from everyone involved in the club!
How do you find the facilities?
The facilities are very good...we have some of the best clubrooms in the country...a real credit to those who worked so hard to achieve them! As in all clubs, it is an ongoing thing to constantly upgrade & improve facilities, & I believe there are some very exciting plans being considered to further improve the standard. We are struggling a little with our stadium pitch at the moment, but I am sure if it used sensibly, & we all give it a chance to recover, it will be good for the season. Commonsense must prevail when it comes to usage of your “premier” pitch.
Who is in your management team?
It consists of myself as Head Coach of the Squad, & 1st Team Coach....Peter Cooper (Coops) who is the Manager of the 1st Team, Frederic who looks after kit & training equipment, Scott who is assisting with goalkeeping training, ...& obviously I am being assisted by Brian Derby & Graham Duffield in the coaching/training, although they are not officially appointed to do so, & are giving up a lot of their “free” time which I appreciate. They are both heavily involved in other aspects of the club, coaching etc.
Glenn Gibbs & Bruce McGrath are also giving us great assistance, involved in all aspects of the smooth running of the squad. We are looking to appoint a Reserve Team Coach, & Manager, but as yet have not found a suitable person/persons, although we have a few ideas.
All in all....a GREAT TEAM!!!
When do you expect to finalize the team?
We are very close to naming the squad, just working on players to find if they are ready to commit to playing for Papakura. Some of the players I have brought in reside in Auckland city, & surrounding areas, so it is obviously a big commitment for them to be with us, & they have to be sure it is feasible. We have some very exciting new players that you should all come to see...4 Brazilian players, 1 Portuguese, 1 Irish, & a few other nationalities, A couple of very good experienced top level players, plus a lot of the players you may already know, but may not instantly recognize when you see them playing with their new belief & attitude!!! We expect to finalize the squad after the weekend of 13/14/15th February which is our pre-season camp.
We will by then have played our 1st pre-season game which is against Papatoetoe on Saturday 7th February at McLennan Park , 1.30pm for Reserves & 3.30pm for 1st Team. Come & have a look...I think you will be impressed!!
I would love you all to come & have a look.....obviously a Team is only as good as it's Supporters!! We will play good attacking football....it is my way... I want the supporters to come & be entertained & excited by what they are seeing, & believe in their Team. We need you all to support us...there are times when supporters are strong enough to lift a flagging team or player, to just give him that extra push he needs to get through.
I can promise you, personally, that the team will be well-behaved & disciplined. On & off the field, they will look smart, & they will always be approachable...I want the “super-star” attitude gone & buried from this team. They have to realise that a lot of people, including Mums & Dads are all helping to fund their team & apparel etc.....it doesn't just appear by magic! PLEASE COME & HAVE A LOOK...YOU WON”T BE DISAPPOINTED!!
We intend for some of the players to be involved in coaching or at least assisting Junior Teams...although the travelling problem may arise for some of them as it is already doing for attending training & games for us. We insist that the squad has to “give back “ to the Club, for all they receive, & whilst for some this is only natural, for some who have never done it before it is a bit alien....but it is going to happen. I do not intend to make promises I cannot keep but bear with me....there will be a lot coming back from the squad this Season!! We have already started discussions on having a 1st & Reserve Team day, possibly on a Sunday, where all players will be invited to come along & meet, join in training with, & have some fun games with the squad members....we will announce the date as soon as it is known, but need to get the Juniors back at the Club first. We are discussing the feasibility of inviting teams to come along & train with us, for possibly half an hour or so, once a week, with a different team each time, but need to finalize how it works. We are not going to be unapproachable PRIMADONNAS...I will not let it happen. We will always be available to show up at functions, if feasible, to help with any fundraising etc, or even for a team celebration. I intend to unite the Club!!
Players must realise that they have to give back, one way or another, to the Club. The best, & most important way is to be successful, to be proud of playing for Papakura, to promote the club name to possible sponsors or people that can help in any way, & to behave in a respectful way to everyone at the club & other teams we play against.
On the field we have to show respect for other peoples abilities and this also applies to off the field. We will be going about internal fund-raising (with the Committees approval) for any extra activities or equipment we may need, to help club funds, & we will certainly assist in any way possible with club fund-raising activities.
I personally promise you things are going to change from what they were. There is a new wind blowing through the Club & a New era is HAPPENING! Come along & support us, get to know us & feel free to tell me if you don't feel I upholding my promises to you!!
Watch this Space....we are going to make it happen....on & off the Field!!
Dave Heads
1st team Squad Coach |
