New coach Kevin Scoullar is keen to get the show on the road, as his Southern United youth team heads for an intimidating opening match against Auckland City in Auckland tomorrow.
Scoullar is well aware of the task ahead, but the experienced former national league defender is hoping his side can upset the defending national youth champion.
Southern's youngsters have been working hard for several weeks, with the benefit this year of training together with the senior United side at Tahuna Park.
Full practice matches between the sides have also been mutually beneficial.
In a recent clash, the youth side was denied a win over the seniors when a 90th-minute equaliser by Josh Stewart cancelled out a superb goal by Cody Brook, who had drilled in a free kick into the teeth of a strong wind at Tahuna Park.
The same wind gave Scoullar's team a chance to show its mettle as the seniors pounded the goalmouth with an unrelenting series of corners and free kicks in the second half.
''The pressure showed me that we have some brave physical defenders who will put their bodies on the line for our team,'' Scoullar said.
''But the lads are also capable of producing good passing football and if we can play without fear, regardless of the opposition, we will always be in the hunt.''
Auckland's pedigree is unquestioned. Coached by former All White Chris Zorocich, it won last season's championship undefeated, notching 35 goals in 10 games.
Mike Fridge's senior Southern United also gets a serious run today when it faces a Southland Selection, in a match organised by new area coach John McLelland in Invercargill.
Scotsman McLelland originally came to Dunedin as a Caversham coach, before moving to the United States for several years. A hard-nosed practical coach, he will organise a side that will test Fridge's Southern team.
Southern United will also have a warm-up game against Canterbury in Timaru before its opening game in the ASB Premiership, against Auckland on October 25.
Also training hard are the women's national league players, who will gain valuable experience as they fly to distant venues in the eight-team competition which starts on October 12 with a home match against the Northern region.
• For the second year running, Dunedin Technical dominated the annual awards at FootballSouth's prizegiving on Friday evening.
Despite Caversham winning the premier men's league, Fletcher Cup and Frank Peacock Cup, the club missed out on any individual awards.
Dunedin Technical goalkeeper Tom Batty was named men's player of the year, Technical players Taylor McCormack and Shontelle Smith were Golden Boot winners, and Hanna English was young women's player of the year.
Roslyn-Wakari midfielder Cam Attwood won the young men's player of the year award, and Roslyn's Colin Thom was named coach of the year. Roslyn also claimed the Hanlin Shield.
A new award, the premier league referee of the year, went to Richard Roberts, after a vote by participating clubs. Referee of the year was Allan Martin, assistant referee was Edward Cook, and most promising referee was Craig Campbell.
Southern United
Youth squad
Joshua Dijkstra, Nikita Meglinski, Mat Mitchell, Jesse Smith, Conner Neil, Ben Kiore, Mark Burnett (all Green Island), Tyrrell Barringer-Tahiri, Kieran McIntyre (Roslyn-Wakari), Keegan Taig, Cody Brook, Rahan Ali, Riley Anderton, Matt Kelly, Tom Stevens (Mosgiel), Joe Clark, Rupert Mark (University), Truth Toheriri, Bob Cox, Jeremy Fong, Nathan Wilkie (Northern), Heta Scarf-Mathews, Liam Whittaker (Dunedin Technical), Lewis Jackson, Sam Cosgrove, Mitchell Carter (Caversham), Jack Boland (Old Boys).
