Tara Murray
New Whittlesea Ranges coach Kevin Theuma couldn’t turn down the opportunity to coach the FV state league 1 side.
Having been let go from Mill Park earlier this season, Theuma had fielded several offers since.
It wasn’t until the Ranges came knocking that he found the right role for him.
“It’s a good opportunity,” he said. “Coaching is something that I love doing.
“I enjoyed a bit of a break. There were a few different opportunities, but they didn’t suit what I wanted to do.
“I couldn’t say not to it. It’s a good club with good facilities and a lot of potential.
“I’m looking forward to working with the boys.”
Theuma said the club was one of the highest ranked teams in the area and believed they belonged back in the National Premier League competition.
He said there was a really good base in the senior side, it was about making sure they harness the talent at the club.
Theuma said former coach Safi Ayoush did a really good job with putting together the group and their development.
“There’s a lot of potential to help them grow and build up,” he said.
“Last night [Tuesday night] was my first session. There’s a good group of boys and a lot of talent there to work with.
“I want to take them to the next level.”
Theuma said the first aim for the rest of the season was to get the side out of the relegation zone.
After 13 rounds the Ranges sit in 13th spot with four wins. They lost four points earlier this season due to an administrative error.
Theuma said they would have hurt the group morally, but would have also had them more in the middle of the table.
Theuma, who has been appointed until the end of next season, said they would like to try and finish this year on a a high and go from there.
“We want to build the foundation this year and finish with a bang,” he said.
“There are good young boys and we want to develop them more.
“We want to get promoted in 2024, that is the goal of the club. We don’t believe we’re a non-NPL club.
“I’ve been brought on board to get them out of trouble in the second half of the year and to get them promoted
“There’s a good foundation for the players to take the club to the next level.”
Theuma said they were looking at adding a couple of players in the transfer window, but were keen to back in the group of players already at the club.
The Ranges face Yarraville Glory on Friday night aiming to make it two wins in a row.
