Manly United’s Luca Kmet has really embraced the challenge given to him ever since the rebooted National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition kicked into gear in late July this year.

The 21-year-old has seized the opportunity of gaining much needed game time putting him in good stead as one of the success stories of the 2020 season.

“It’s great to be back playing this year especially after some doubt that the season wouldn’t go ahead because of COVID.

“I’ve had great support from Steve and the physio team at Manly after my injury, and the reboot has helped me get back into the full swing of things.

“I came to Manly United last year after getting a call from Paul Dee and knowing that if I put my head down and worked hard, I would get an opportunity to play first grade. That’s the type of club Manly are and that’s giving a number of young players a chance.

“My focus is to continue to build on my first-grade experience by working hard, but also making sure I can contribute to the team’s objectives and performances as much as possible.”

The Northern Beaches club have unearthed a few young players like Kmet with James Georgaklis, Jordan Devries, Lachlan McGrath and Jamie Glover all getting senior game time putting them in good stead for the 2021 NPL NSW Men’s season.

Round 7 saw a flurry of goals take centre stage at Cromer Park as Manly United defeated APIA Leichhardt FC 5-2 with Kmet joining the party scoring his second for the year.

A sign of many more goals and wins perhaps?

“It was great to get the win last weekend.

“APIA are a tough side to play against and having played them in a trial before the reboot, we knew they were competitive.

“I felt all the boys did really well together and in particular we were able to execute in front of goal getting the win we really needed.”

In what’s been described as a local derby, Manly United will take on the North Shore Mariners at Cromer Park on Friday evening, something the young attacker is eagerly anticipating.

“I really can’t wait to get out and play especially on a Friday night under lights at Cromer.

“I think this a bit of a first as a derby for both clubs so I’m sure it’s going to be a really competitive game and one the team are really looking forward to.

“Hopefully we can pick up the three points and further progress up the competition ladder.”

Kmet and co have had to transition slightly in the coaching department as well admired manager Paul Dee departed two weeks ago with the job going to assistant Adam Griffiths.

“It’s been a good transition.

“Manly United is a very professional club and have made the transition really smooth.

“For me personally it’s great to have Griff as head coach, I think he knows my game really well and that’s important.

“As an attacking player, his focus on taking chances when we go forward has really suited my style of play.”

Away from Football, Kmet keeps himself busy studying, working as well as coaching the Manly United Under 8’s Development squad.

“I’m currently at UTS studying a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and I’m also working part-time in finance and admin at North Shore Private Hospital.

“Before training nights I also coach the Manly United Under 8’s Development squad so I do what I can to keep myself busy every single day.”

Kemt kicked off his football development in the Nation’s Capital, Canberra, having first registered for the very proud Canberra FC formerly Deakin club which led him to some amazing experiences including a trial with Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb to name a few.

“Most of my youth development took place in Canberra, and I’ve made some great memories there.

“I played all my juniors there for Canberra FC and had some great Croatian background coaches that really taught and encouraged technical ability and competitiveness.

“It also led me to some experience trailing at Dinamo Zagreb when I was 12.

“I had the chance to play at the National Football Championships for ACT in both football and futsal with what was a really good group of players.”

Manly United first grade coach Paul Dee has stepped down from his position of Head Coach after spending six years as the Manly United Head Coach.

Paul will take control for Friday night’s clash against Sydney Olympic before stepping down from the position.

Dee has been a tremendous asset to Manly United as an assistant coach and then head coach of the first grade side and made the decision to make 2020 his last season in charge but has decided to bring his departure forward to allow Manly United to prepare for 2021 and beyond.

“This is a tough decision for me but I love this club and I think this is what’s best for Manly United,” Dee said. “I love coaching here but I had decided that this would be my last year and I am a firm believer in the club should always come first so I think the best thing is to step aside now so the club can properly prepare for the future.

“We have a lot of good young coaches coming through who deserve a chance and I think the time is right to step aside and clear that pathway, which should be in place for coaches as well as players.

“Manly United is an incredible club and heading in the right direction and I am proud to say I was head coach for 6 years. I’d like to thank the Board and staff for their support over the years but I’d especially like to thank the players and coaching staff for helping me create an atmosphere and environment that was so enjoyable and I’m sure will continue long into the future.”

Both Paul and Manly United wish to keep the popular coach involved within the club next season and beyond.

“First and foremost Paul Dee is a tremendous person and has been an integral part of shaping the club and the senior team into what it is today,” said Manly United CEO David Mason. “A football club is only as strong as its people and Paul will always be remembered in a positive light for his achievements with the senior squad both on and off the field.

“Paul has been integral in providing an environment where people come to this club and remain with this club because it is a professional, enjoyable place to play their football. We look forward to working together to ensure Paul remains a positive contributor to the football club.”

Manly United has appointed current Assistant Coach and former Socceroo Adam Griffiths as the Head Coach and will assume responsibility after this weekend’s match against Sydney Olympic.

Griffiths, who was also an A-League winner with the Newcastle Jets as a player, was an overwhelming appointment to the role, continuing Manly United’s proud coaching tradition of appointing coaches from within.

“Adam’s appointment as the Head Coach was not a difficult decision with the Manly United Board, Technical Director Andrew Christiansen and departing coach Paul Dee all in agreement that he was ready for the challenge and the obvious choice,” Mason said.

“Adam has progressed through the Manly United coaching system and takes on the Head Coach role with a thorough understanding and experience in the Manly United philosophies and structures both in the junior and senior systems.

“We firmly believe in putting in place structures and pathways for our players and coaches so our structure allows us to look within when  promoting through the system. It is how Paul Dee took over from Craig Midgely in 2014 and now Adam has that opportunity moving forward.

“He has developed as a coach and a person and we have no doubt he is ready to take on the challenge of creating a winning team that truly represents the Northern Beaches football community.”

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.”