New Williamstown coach Michael Loche is excited for the new challenge ahead of him at the FV state league 2 north-west club.
Having spent his coaching career in the north, most recently at Craigieburn City, Loche has been appointed Williamstown’s coach for its second season back in state league 2.
Loche’s coaching career spams 22 years and has included seven promotions.
“I’m very excited and I can’t wait,” he said. “It’s the start of a new adventure with new people and new players.
“I’m buzzing. It’s my first foray into the west and I’m coming into a good club and I’ve admired them from afar.
“We aligned in morals and vision. They have a good program and have a supportive network behind you and are a well run club.”
Loche has coached against Williamstown for many years including earlier this year while he was at Craigieburn.
He said the side always impressed him.
“There’s been some good battles between us,” he said. “I respect how they conduct themselves on and off the park.
“There was a good side and they were really competitive and played some really good football.
“Then they were really friendly off the park.”
Loche said he would look to implement his philosophy on the group; it wasn’t going to be a rebuild.
He said the club was in a good position already and the hard work is only just beginning.
Loche said they would look to add six to seven players to the squad they already had this season.
“I’ll put in my philosophy based on what the club has already achieved over the last few years and add to it,” he said.
“I want to add to the current structures and don’t want to through out the good work.
“I’m not going to put a broom through it. They come ninth and the first year in the league, you just want to survive.
“Credit to them.”
Filip Dimitrijevic, who took over as coach midway through this season will continue on as an assistant coach. He is a lifelong club member and helped the side consolidate its spot in state league 2.
Glen Bristow, who was with Loche at Craigieburn City, will also be an assistant coach as the connection between the two coaches continues. He also coached an under-18 academy team at Melbourne City.
“Filip stepped in last year and did a good job at the back of the year to survive,” Loche said. “I want to add to the good work that he did.”
The club on social media said that Loche comes on board to not only help build on the success of recent years but also bring to life a longer-term vision of ambition and stability for the club’s senior men’s program.
