Matt Hastings
GISBORNE Thistle coach Matt Hastings makes no secret of his desire to be a fulltime professional football coach.
But Thistle fans can relax. Hastings is in no hurry to leave Gisborne.
“I’ve got a great job with Mediaworks and I’ve committed to the club for the next three years,” said Hastings, who took over the Jags midway through last season.
“I’ve not signed a contract but I’m working on a three-year plan, which involves winning the Central Federation League this year, moving up to the Central League the following year and looking at our options the following year.”
The draw for this season’s Central Federation League is not out yet but the three-year plan means the players will report for their first training session on January 24.
“I’m expecting the league to kick off in early April,” Hastings said.
“As well as training twice a week on Childers Road Reserve, we’ll play five pre-season games; not friendlies . . . games we want to win.
“The games will be against four teams from Napier and one team from Palmerston, two in Gisborne and three in Napier. They’ll be a mixture of Central League and Pacific League teams, which should give us a good workout.”
Hastings said he had three key points that would be “the foundations” of what he hoped would be a successful time with the club.
“No.1 is no dickheads.
“No.2 is hard work. We won’t be outworked by any team we play.
“No.3 is we won’t accept losing.
“My role is simple. It’s to win games. I want the players to have a winning attitude, not just when we play games but in everything they do, and that starts in training.
“Winning is a great habit. Over the years I’ve asked players what games they enjoyed most and the answer has always been the games they won.”
Hastings has appointed Carpet Court Thistle player Tim Hofman as his assistant but is looking for a manager.
“Tim, who has Dutch background, is a good clubman who is looking to move into the coaching side of the game,” Hastings said.
“Since moving here from Auckland, Tim’s played for all three of the club’s teams and I’m delighted he agreed to be assistant coach. He understands the game and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Ryan Majstrovic, who started last season as team manager before replacing injured goalkeeper Mark Baple, has decided to concentrate on goalkeeping.
“I’ve got three very good goalkeepers — Ryan, Mark and PJ Goodlett, who can also play outfield.
“The goalkeeping position is going to be good competition. But with Ryan’s focus on being the keeper, I’m on the lookout for a manager.”
Hastings has lost midfielders Jarom Brouwer, (Wellington) and fullback/midfielder Cullen Spawforth (Auckland) but welcomes back Ander Batarrita, who missed a chunk of last season after going overseas.
“I’ve also spoken to some local players about joining us but until the first training session I’d prefer not to name names. It’s always better to wait and see who fronts up.
“The first sesssion will involve a fitness test and then we’ll play small-sided games so that I can get to know the players better and work out what formation we’ll play.
“I’m keen on using three at the back with four in the middle of the park and three up front but I want the players to be flexible, so that we can change to a different formation without any major disruptions.
“I’m also keen to build good team spirit, so we’ll have a working bee at the clubrooms on the Saturday of the first week’s training.”