Spring Gully United's rebuilding plan is on track.
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In 2019, the club made the tough decision not to field a division one side in the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League.
A couple of years later the Reds' young talent is primed to take another step forward in 2022 and challenge the teams at the top of the table.
With a potent women's squad representing the club as well, it's an exciting time at Stanley Avenue.
Guiding the young male and female talent at the club is an experienced coaching unit that has been reappointed for 2022.
Tony McQuillan has been reappointed coach of the division one side, club great Grant Lane will lead division two, Marcus Dawson has retained the youth division role, while Simon Smith will again coach the Reds' promising women's squad.
With a plethora of young talent at their disposal, the coaching unit has taken an all-in approach to training.
Read more: COVID-19 cases in Bendigo double
The division one, division two and youth squads train together.
"It's a one-in, all-in approach,'' Dawson said.
"We all train together, so everyone is on the same page in terms of the football we want to play and the culture we want to build."
In 2021, the Reds' young division one side was fifth on the ladder before the season was cut short by COVID-19 restrictions.
The five wins from 10 games was a perfect launch pad to an exciting future.
"We have unfinished business after the pandemic,'' McQuillan said.
"It would be nice to get a full season into these players and give them an opportunity to play more football.
"We have some good quality players coming through and I'm really proud of the way they've returned to training and the attitude they're showing.
"With young squads there's always areas for growth and improvement, but we're happy with how we're shaping up.
"I'm really looking forward to next season."
The women's program won 10 of 13 games in 2021 and was third on the table behind La Trobe University and Strathfieldsaye Colts United.
The Reds scored 68 goals in 13 games and only conceded 12 times.
"We've lost a few girls from this year's group, but it looks like we'll pick up a few players,'' Smith said.
"We had a realistic chance of making the finals this year, so we were disappointed the season was cut short.
"That's made the girls really keen to get back into it for next season.
"Our improvement will come from concentrating for the full 90 minutes. There were times this year where we had some lapses that let our opposition get some momentum."
The Reds' youth division has high expectations.
After finishing second in 2021, the title is the target in 2022.
"Last year our youth squad were all bottom aged, so we have a similar squad this year,'' Dawson said.
"We had a really talented under-16 side, so we've been topped up by an under-16 championship-winning side as well.
"The future is really bright. We have a really talented group of young players coming through the club together."
Trials for the Reds' 2022 division one, division two and youth squads start on January 5 from 6.30pm at Stanley Avenue.
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