Former Australian soccer star Carl Valeri always wanted to give back to sport once his professional career ended.
Having worked at Melbourne Victory post career, it is his local club in Gisborne where he sees he can provide best.
Valeri was recently named Gisborne Soccer Club’s new president for next season having been involved in the club for a number of years.
He said it was an easy decision to step into the role to help local players of all ages.
“My wife grew up in Gisborne and we moved back here when we came back to Melbourne after being in Italy,” he said.
“My three kids play at the club. I’ve coached here and been heavily involved as much as I could while working with Melbourne Victory.
“Richard Smart and the committee have done an excellent job to get the club where they are now.
“I felt like it was the right time to step up and help more.”
Valeri said he feels working at community level and volunteering his time was the best way to make the most of his skill set.
He said he and the rest of the committee wanted to leave the club in a better place than when they started.
“Hopefully we can point the club in the right direction, not just for now but for 10 to 20 years into the future,” he said.
“Gisborne is a great place. It’s about keeping kids involved from juniors right through to seniors and keeping them engaged in the community.
“Parents have already come up to me saying that their kids can’t wait for next year.”
Valeri said when took on the role, he made it clear that he wanted the existing committee to stay involved to help build on the work they had already done.
He said they had started to make some changes.
“We want to be a united club from Mini Roos through to seniors, all under the one banner,” he said.
“We want the pathway linked so they stay from juniors and under-16s through to senior football programs.
“We want to keep the age bracket of 15 and 16 year-olds in the game, both men’s and women’s, and strengthen the quality of the program.
“Whatever happens at the club, it happens for everyone and we are all trending in the same direction.”
Valeri said they were hoping to field two women’s sides for the first time next season, while also looking at a 35-plus women’s side.
Their only women’s side this season claimed the state league 4 west title.
The men’s side finished in fourth in the state league west 4 competition.
He said they were ambitious and keen to have success on field to further attract players, not just from the Macedon Ranges, but also the nearby Sunbury region.
Valeri said the club was also keen to put in a lot of work off field as well.
“We want to set a culture of being inclusive,” he said.
“We’ll look to run a number of programs like responsible gambling and we are a community club that is more so than ever engaging with the community and strengthening pathways.”
