By Tara Murray
New Whittlesea Pacers coach Michael Goulimis is feeling optimistic ahead of the Big V men’s division 2 season.
was named the Pacers coach two weeks ago, after former coach Brian Vaughns stepped down early in the off season.
Goulimis, who coached juniors at the Pacers eight or nine years ago, said he was happy to be back at the club.
“I’m really pleased to be given the honour and the opportunity to coach the side,” he said. “It’s close to home and it’s an opportunity I jumped at.”
Goulimis coached against the Pacers last season, as head coach of the Bulleen Boomers division 1 side. He had previously been an assistant coach with the Hume City Broncos and Boomers.
“I’ve been doing coaching for about 25-odd years at different levels.”
Having coached against the Pacers, he said he had some idea of what to expect.
Dean Van Lunenburg, Rory Smith, Nathan Freeman, Hakeem Simon and Judson Seumanu were among those players returning.
The club has also announced the signing of import Francis Kiapway.
Goulimis said he had been busy working the phones since his appointment to finalise the squad.
They started training last Thursday.
“I’ve been busy contacting people in my network and I think we will have a competitive squad on court by the first round.”
Goulimis has a big task on his hands, with Whittlesea relegated to division 2 after finishing bottom in division 1.
It’s been a tough few years for the Pacers that were in the state championship division in 2017. Goulimis said they were hoping to have a good season.
“I’ve been busy trying to rebuild the squad,” he said.
“We’re definitely building a core group and we’ve got the base to get us going.
“I don’t want to call it a full rebuild, it’s a reset with the players which we have. “We’re going to try and get the winning feeling and culture back in the program
