Spring Gully United Soccer Club is returning to BASL division one in 2020.
The club wasn't able to field a team in the division in 2019 due to a lack of players, however, months out from the start of the season, numbers couldn't be better.
"Last season a number of players left before the season started...it just wasn't feasible to get a team together," club president Dennis Barnett said.
"So far with the appointment of our senior coaches, which we have jumped on earlier than usual, we have already commenced trials with around 36-40 people, so we can fill two senior squads quite easily."
Barnett said it was important for the club to have a division one team for the players to strive towards and advance to the next level of competition.
"It's essential to have a clear pathway for juniors to aspire to play on our senior sides," he said.
"We are keen to win games but importantly we are very keen to develop quality people along the way through participation in sport."
The return of the senior men's team is in line with what SGUSC wants to achieve both on and off the field.
"The best influence we can have on our players is to also make them better people," Barnett said.
"Next season we will be taking on board a number of initiatives focused on mental health, Gambling Victoria's Love the Game, Not the odds campaign...and we will encourage our players to be good ambassadors as each month we will recognise a member of the club for their commitment to the community."
The club has locked in its senior coaching line up for the 2020 season with Tony McQuillan (division one), Marcus Dawson (division two and technical director), Carrie Sabransky (senior women) and Jye Cohen (youth).
"I am stoked with our line-up for 2020, the experience of the staff is second to none," Barnett said.
"We specifically targeted a number of quality coaches who we feel will be great assets as ambassadors of the club and our standards. "
The 2020 season marks the club's 50th year of football in Bendigo.
The club is one of the largest in the region with more than 450 registered played in 2019 across 46 teams, from under-6 through to senior squads.
A highlight for the club has been the increase of female participation in the sport, now with more than 120 players.
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