United aim to be force in premiers

Wairarapa United intends to be a major force in the Capital Soccer men's competitions next season.
Not only will their number one line-up contest the highly-competitive premier division but a decision has already been made to enter their development team in Capital's third division series.
Premier division coach Phil Keinzley said the standard of third division play would be higher than that in the top local league and to compete successfully at that level would require the same commitment as expected from the premier division players.
"We are going into the third division to win it - that's the objective and we can't afford to do anything by half-measures there," Keinzley said. "There will be tough games week after week and our players have to be ready for them."
Keinzley said deciding who was in the premier division squad and who was in the third division squad was something which would not be finalised for some weeks yet.
Currently a total of 28 players have indicated their keenness to play for Wairarapa United in 2006 and it was hoped to build that number to around the mid-30s within the next week or so.
"The message to players is that if they want to play for Wairarapa United next season then they need to tell us now, " Keinzley said. "Those who wait until the last minute will miss out - it's as simple as that."
Keinzley said the importance of making an early commitment on availability was based on the need for players to undertake fitness training programmes which would have them fit and ready to go when training proper commenced early in the New Year.
"We have two teams in leagues where fitness is a major priority and we need to ensure we are right up to scratch in that respect," he said.
A bonus in having two teams in Capital competitions is that their draws will be arranged so as they can travel to away games together and that when the premier division team has a home match the third division side will play the curtain-raiser.
"Basically we will train together and also be together on match days - that's got to be good for club spirit, hasn't it?" Keinzley said. "And it also means we will be able to keep a close eye on the third division players who are pushing for inclusion in the premier division squad and that's a plus too. Everybody will get a fair go at making our top side."
But it's not only players which Wairarapa United are seeking for their premier division and third division side in 2006.
A manager is being sought for the premier division team and both a coach and a manager for the third division.
"It would be nice to think we'd have those posts filled within the next week or two as well," Keinzley said.
Meanwhile Wairarapa United player Troy Burling made the tournament team at the national under-19 club soccer tournament played in Napier over Labour weekend.
Burling was a guest player for Upper Hutt and impressed the selectors with a series of outstanding displays.
Not the least surprised by his inclusion in the tournament team was Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley who labelled him as a "very exciting" youngster.
"You don't think of Troy as 19 - he's got the maturity of a player much older than that," Keinzley said. "He's got all the necessary attributes - pace, flair, vision and distribution skills."
Keinzley said Burling, who generally plays at outright right half, had been an integral part of the Wairarapa United team which won the Capital first division competition last season and, with it, promotion to premier division in 2006.
"He's got the potential to go to the very top of the sport, no doubt about that," Keinzley said.