Manly United Football Club is proud to take its place in the 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Competitions, for the men and women.

Football NSW outlined a varied format for the 2020 competition comprising 11 rounds and a two week semi final system, asking all NPL clubs to reaffirm their place in the competition.

Following separate meetings with the Men’s and Women’s senior squads and coaching staff Manly United has officially notified Football NSW of its intention to take part in the 2020 NPL NSW Men’s/Women’s Competitions.

“It was one of the easiest decisions we’ve ever made. We are a football club and our core focus is to play football games for men, women, boys and girls,” said Manly United CEO David Mason.

“Our men’s senior team had no hesitation in taking payment cuts for the 2020 season and we made the decision to retain the current payments for our women’s team.

The unprecedented COVID-19 disruption has presented unique challenges, as all Australians have had to adapt and evolve with the rapidly changing health, social and economic impacts it has created.

Football is no different.

Manly United Football Club has worked hard to rebound from a 10-week lockdown to ensure all teams and players can return to training and matches as soon as possible.

Junior teams and players have been back in training under COVID-Safe conditions for the past four weeks and Football NSW announced last week the resumption of the senior competitions under a varied format

“One positive out of this COVID-19 disruption and restrictions has been the opportunity for us to recognize the part football plays in our community and how much it has been missed,” Mason said.

“The COVID-19 shutdown has been challenging for Manly United as we worked to allow all of our players to return to training and matches as soon as possible and reshaping the training programs and season to ensure our players received the same development opportunities in 2020 as previous years.

“We are not immune to the financial realities that have hit our country and we’ve suffered a loss of revenue through sponsorship, canteen, holiday programs and annual fundraising events.

“It is a testament to the club culture that both the mens and womens senior squads have been not only understanding but supportive of the Club and agreed without question to resume the season.

“We are proud of the culture we have at Manly United and it is the people that drive that; the players, coaches, managers, volunteers and families it attracts has allowed us to charge full steam ahead into the varied 2020 season.”

Men’s Captain Sam Gallagher said: “We just want to play football. Ultimately we start playing football because we love the game. We all understand that the Club, like our entire country, has taken a hit and we are more than happy to get back onto the pitch and play for the love of the game.

“We have all missed the competitive aspect but more importantly the enjoyment and camaraderie and we can’t wait to get back into training on Monday night.”

Women’s Captain Chloe O’Brien was equally enthusiastic to restart the competition.

“The last few weeks training without knowing what was happening with matches has been difficult but it has been great to be back on the field playing the game we love. The club has been fantastic with getting training started as soon as possible and we are very grateful that we’ve been treated with respect with our contracts. I just can’t wait to play.”

-Manly United Press Release

Manly United skipper Sam Gallagher may still be waiting for the recommencement of the NPL NSW Men’s season but the current youth coach at the club is eagerly anticipating the first weekend of July when competitive football returns to the fold.

The 29-year-old ambitious coach has been working overtime with fellow teammate Joe Fox (Head of SAP) and Technical Director Andrew Christiansen during the COVID-19 lockdown  preparing to charge the club’s promising young prospects once more.

“I mostly work at Manly United in the Youth League age groups and even though lockdown stopped us from training and playing games as a club, myself, Joe Fox (Head of SAP) and Andrew Christiansen (Technical Director) spent a lot of time creating content for the players to be able to use from home.

“This included recording video sessions, session plans, fun challenges, Zoom calls, and keeping the kids as engaged as possible through the lockdown.”

Asked how he coped during the COVID-19 lockdown period, the former North Epping Rangers junior picked up a few handy hobbies with his main one being golf.

“It has been a strange and unique experience, but I’ve tried to make the best out of a bad situation during the COVID-19 break.

“I got into a routine of exercising every morning and finding ways to be productive with all the spare time I now had.

“Luckily I’m a keen golfer and golf was the only sport that basically stayed open the entire lockdown, so I’ve definitely taken advantage of that.

“I think my wife and I must have gone through the same stages as everyone else as whilst at home.

“Starting with jigsaw puzzles at the height of the lockdown, moving onto attempting to create a botanical garden on my tiny balcony in Dee Why and now I’ve even tried to start surfing, which isn’t going as well as I’d hoped. Might stick to watering basil.”

It was only natural that the former Australian U20s and U23s defender was elated with the news that restrictions for football were eased recently which helped him in one area with his youth teams but was still waiting for the green light on when the NPL NSW Men’s seniors would kick-off.

“It was great to hear that restrictions were once again being eased for football all around NSW and the country, but for me personally it means we can now run sessions with the whole team in the younger ages, whereas before we were restricted to 9 players and a coach, so the team was always split up.

“Our senior team is still yet to resume training but with the new easing of restrictions I hope will have a positive effect on the NPL NSW Men’s season resuming.

“I know the boys have been working hard and staying in touch throughout the lockdown period and up until this point.

“At the start of the lockdown, we all took some gear home with us which included, balls, cones, gym equipment, GPS units so as a group we’ve ticked over.

“We’re hoping now that the season will resume in some way, shape, or form.

“I know the Manly boys are keen to get back to playing.”

Gallagher was hit with a double whammy as stated earlier, not only did he miss playing the game, but he also missed coaching it as well when restrictions were at fever pitch.

“Even though I was still involved in the game through my coaching roles I wasn’t able to train with my team both coaching and playing.

“From a coaching perspective, I really missed taking sessions and from a playing perspective, I probably missed the social aspect the most.

“Training and playing games with friends and having that contact throughout the week was definitely something that I’ve missed.”