Suns are rising as Under 18s team becomes a reality

A GROUP of Surf Coast Suns footballers have entered new territory in 2024, forming the club’s first Under 18s side in recent weeks.

Led by head coach Shaun Cotter, the Suns’ first Under 18s side marks a significant milestone for the eight-year-old North Torquay-based club.

Founded in 2016, Surf Coast has been garnering its playing numbers from the ground up, now finally making its way into the Under 18 age bracket.

“It’s an interesting time to be at the club, a club about to be birthed into that senior era, as early as possibly next year,” Cotter said.

“I often laugh with my two boys, who are both in Under 16s and Under 18s respectively, about most clubs out there with their first senior sides in black and white photos. We’re about to reach that point.

“It’s a pretty fantastic place to be right now.”

This season’s Under 18 Bells team is made up predominantly of bottom-aged players, with only a handful of players joining the Suns as Auskickers and Under 12s, and one top-aged player returning to the club after a couple of seasons away from the club.

Cotter described his team as the pioneers of the club, often being the first players to reach new age groups such as the Under 14 and Under 16 levels.

“This one team I have been coaching for a few seasons now, these guys have been breaking new ground consistently at the Suns for the past few years, and it hasn’t been easy for the most part,” Cotter said.

“There are years when these boys, all bottom-aged, have taken on sides filled with top-aged boys, but they’ve stuck together and even came away with an elimination final win last season.

“They know they’re on the precipice of history with the prospect of senior footy on their doorstep and they take on this season week by week and the hard work will pay off.”

The Suns have had a disappointing start to 2024 through the first two rounds of grading, losing by a combined 267 points to Lara and Inverleigh, but Cotter said the team is looking for a win against South Barwon’s seconds this Saturday.

Surf Coast will enjoy a bye week in the fourth week of grading, before season proper begins on May 11.