CASTERTON Sandford’s new era, led by incoming coach Tom Renzi, begun in unprecedented circumstances when the start of the 2020 Western Border Football League season was postponed.
After leading Mount Burr for a six-year period which yielded two premierships, Renzi has decided to take on the challenge of leading the Cats to their first flag since 1990.
However, preparations have come to a grinding halt and Renzi said he is now more worried about the health of his fellow members at Island Park.
“It is uncharted territory for everyone, so we have just got to do the best we can to manage each other,” he said.
“The health of everyone is more important than football.
“Footy will be there, so it is about the boys managing themselves and their families before getting back.”
To keep his men fit during the quiet period, Renzi said he has recommended some small things for his team to do.
“We have set a few programs and running things for the boys to do,” he said.
“Obviously you cannot be in groups of three, four or five, but as long as they do some running or kicking they can stay fit and keep their skills up.”
The unexpected break has not been the only road bump on Casterton Sandford’s journey to the new season.
Looking to settle into his new environment, Renzi hoped to kick off pre-season well before Christmas.
However, outside commitments meant training did not begin for another couple of months.
Despite not starting as early as he would have liked, Renzi said his team was starting to build momentum.
“I thought we were just coming together as a group,” he said.
“We started to get consistently big numbers and everyone was on the same page.
“Then all this happened and we are now doing our own thing which is okay, it gives us a little bit more of a pre-season.”
With the two-month period being Renzi’s first experience outside Mid South East football since junior days and his maiden taste of life across the border, he was impressed straight away.
Renzi said the football-mad culture of the town and club caught his eye.
“It is a great club,” he said.
“The people are really good and supportive.
“It is a great community because football is the heart of Casterton and keeps you going – everywhere you go people always stop and talk about it.
“The club is well set up in terms of the off-field support, committee, president and trainers.
“It is just about bringing that all together and showing them what the club can do with the footy boys behind them as well.”
The announcement to delay the 2020 Western Border Football League season could not have arrived at a worse time for Casterton Sandford.
Just two days after the training ban was put in place, the Victorians were scheduled to make their first on-field appearance of the new decade.
It was going to be a significant moment for the team, as it was set to be its first chance to showcase a new brand of football.
Renzi promises Casterton Sandford will play with more speed and freedom when and if they can return to football.
“It will be totally different to what we have played previously,” he said.
“The team know it and have seen it already in how we have trained.
“It is exciting because obviously what they have done in the past has not worked, so things are going to change and it is going to be a bit quicker.
“We are looking to move the ball with a little bit more flow than before.”
