Gladiators looking to build new foundation
By JEREMY TEPPER
MVI Sports
Brad Sheader is familiar with building from the ground floor.
For 15 years, Sheader has been part of the South Allegheny Youth Soccer Club, helping teach kids how to play soccer. A few months ago, Sheader came across another building opportunity.
South Allegheny’s boys soccer team needed a coach, and Sheader saw a chance to build and stabilize a program that’s gone 0-32 over the past two seasons. Sheader got the job, and since taking over in May, he’s tried to start laying some bricks that will hopefully lead the Gladiators out of its two year rut.
“We’re trying to build a foundation that will carry us forward and help us grow the program,” Sheader said. “We’re trying to build a culture around the team that will encourage kids to get out and play.”
One of Sheader’s main goals this season is just simply trying to attract kids to play on the team. Currently, he’s looking at potentially 15 kids on the roster this season. Ideally, Sheader said he would like to have at least 18. He’s tasked his players with trying to talk to at least two people each day about joining the team. It’s part of an effort to build what is already strong leadership on the team between Marc Morgan and Kolby Gatchie.
“They are excellent with our younger kids and underclassmen,” Sheader said. “They are proactively going out and engaging those newer players and helping them with technique and skill and trying to improve their learning curve as much as they can.”
Based on his team’s roster size, as well as overall strengths, Sheader expects his team to rely on defense. Morgan, the team’s centerback, is South Allegheny’s rock and primary leader on the field, Sheader said. Ashton Hamilton and Gatchie will head the midfield.
“We gave up a ton of goals last year and really that’s a recipe for non-success. We’re going to be trying to be a very defensive team. Accountability and teamwork are my two pillars moving forward. We’re fully in a training mode and a building mode for the future,” Sheader said.
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