Belconnen United’s CPL Men’s side have set their sights set on re-joining the National Premier League for 2024 after being relegated to the second tier Capital Premier League following the conclusion of last season.

The 6x Premiers and 10x League Champions were relegated on the final day of the 2022 season after a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to O’Connor Knights.

Despite the disappointment of relegation and last seasons results, the Blue Devils are optimistic about the new challenges that lay ahead, and are looking to re-establish themselves as one of Canberra football’s perennial powerhouses.

With the Blue Devils going through a rebuilding phase, returning Head Coach Steve Forshaw looks to re-establish that winning formula and culture within the historic club.

“Relegation can happen to anybody if you don’t manage things properly, and Belconnen will be the first to admit that they made some mistakes over the last two or three years,” he said

“Sometime you must break things to fix them… and perhaps relegation has given us the opportunity to re-establish ourselves both with our internal culture and with performances on the pitch.”

“We need to look forward with some optimism rather than dwell on the events of last season.”

Forshaw has been around Belconnen for a long time, having been head coach of the first-grade men’s squad for almost a decade during the early 2000’s and knows how to fashion a championship squad.

During Forshaw’s first season as head coach, the Blue Devils sat at the bottom of the ladder facing relegation, before he built the team into a championship winning side.

The offseason saw a large number of departures from the first-grade side with a lot of players still desiring to play first division football.

This has opened the door for talented young prospects from the various pathways to break in to the first team, with Nate Tokley, Will Buckmaster, Jack Gallagher and Abraham Kemp all receiving call ups from the under-23’s.

Forshaw believes that the relegation period and time in the second division will give the club a golden opportunity to re-establish its junior programs and one that prides themselves around the development of young talent in Canberra.

“If we had escaped relegation those players might not have gotten this opportunity… rather than those guys playing in an underage competition either under-23’s or under-18’s, they are playing against mature males at a different pace, so in terms of their development it’s good for them,” he said.

“Belconnen for a long time was one of the leading clubs in Canberra in terms of its junior development… however they have unintentionally steered away from that over the last few years.”

“This year and going forward we are looking to re-establish those junior programs as one of the best in Canberra and will build on that in the years to come.”

To go along with the promotion of several talented players from the different pathways, United managed to re-sign six key players from last year’s first-grade squad.

The retention of these players adds a huge boost in the club’s quest for promotion.

Along with the club’s homegrown talent, United were very wise with their recruiting during the offseason, targeting keys areas of improvement and adding those final pieces to the puzzle.

The addition of veteran striker Dave McCarron from Canberra Olympic, known for his impressive hold-up play, strength and finishing is a much-needed asset for the team.

The club also welcomed back Taylor Beaton into the fold, with his leadership, character and experience being vital in mentoring the younger players and helping them reach their full potential.

“I don’t think you can survive in the top two leagues in Canberra with just a homegrown talent base, you have to recruit,” Forshaw said.

“Having Taylor Beaton come back to the club is like having a new signing… his leadership and experience qualities with [Dave] McCarron and Dustin Wells they’re mentors to these younger guys… they’re not playing just for themselves; they are playing to make sure everyone does their best.”

“We have a terrific blend of experience of youthful enthusiasm and long may it continue.”

Belconnen are currently in second place on the CPL ladder after six rounds.

Words: Dion Stergiopoulos