Kerry Tavrou: Head Coach Team Victoria
“It’s not easy being a State Paralympic Football Coach, but I love it, I love football and I have so much admiration for the strong characters that I coach” said Kerry Tavrou.
“Sometimes we get 15 players at training sometimes we get 10 because some of the players live so far away”.
What is obvious from an outsider looking in is that the young players under Kerry’s tutelage have improved both physically and have a better understanding of the game.
Kerry Tavrou (far right0 with some of the Victorian players he will take to the 2011 Nationals
Victorian players are very lucky to have such a young, vibrant coach with such energy and commitment. He also has knowledge that many coaches, coaching players with a disability, don’t have having worked at Scope disability support agency for a number of years. Most importantly Kerry cares about his players no matter what their ability.
Kerry has a Senior Football Licence and has been playing the game for 22 years. When asked about his coaching philosophy he simply replied “I take the time to listen, understand and reflect” the hallmark of any decent coach.
Kerry, besides developing younger players is in the process of preparing his senior players for the Nationals to be played in Adelaide in April. Victoria came third in 2010 and are hoping to top that this year with a silver medal.
“NSW is the team to beat, they just pass the ball around so well. Queensland also have a good team, but they seem to rely on two or three of their best players to carry the game.”
When asked what tactical approach he would use against the NSW and Queensland teams he just smiled and replied “I can’t give away my secrets. One thing is the opposition will play against a better prepared Victorian Team at this year’s Nationals.”
Kerry Tavrou watches closely over one of his juniors
Kerry’s goals for the team are to ensure that all his players have a good understanding of their weaknesses and work to improve even if it is a slight improvement.
“It would be nice to have a more consistent squad with a junior and senior team, more coaching staff, and more matches against similar opponents, but I know that will come in time.
Any Victorian with symptoms of Cerebral Palsy, acquired brain injury, spasticity or ataxia can contact Kerry through the Victorian Australian Paralympic Committee
