DESPITE merely being in existence for the past five years, Western Rovers have fast emerged as a reckoning force among the local junior soccer ranks.

Raising many eyebrows last season en route to a first-ever Under-11 league championship in unbeaten fashion, Rovers not only announced their arrival in emphatic style, but more significantly, proved that remarkable achievement was by no means a fluke - this year they walked away with the Under-13 championship in an equally convincing manner.

Boasting a stunning record, unparalleled even among the more traditional powerhouses of domestic soccer, Rovers Under-13 team have yet to taste defeat in 32 matches. . . and still counting!

Both the club's current Under-11 and Under-13 squads are also still in with a realistic shot at seizing KO Cup glory among their respective divisions.

Rovers coach Stephen Frick attributes the fledgling club's recent success to hard work by the coaches and players themselves, a good communication network and overwhelming support from both parents and the community alike.

The coach also unveiled his blueprint for success.

"I believe we presently have an organisation second to none. Much emphasis is put on discipline, time keeping and respect for each other," explained Frick.

"Abiding by the rules of the game and competitions with fair play and good sportsmanship. Competing to win while having fun enjoying the game as this is sport."

Academics also take high priority at the club, as excellence is strongly encouraged beyond the pitch.

"The boys are encouraged to do their best academically. Especially paying close attention in the classroom," he added.

Frick is also humbled by a burning passion to coach at the youth level which - in his words - "keeps him motivated". But he also has another huge desire - to personally lend a hand in trying to restore the domestic game to it's former prestige.

"I founded the Western Rovers Soccer organisation after participating four-years in the Bermuda Youth Sport Programme (BYSP). I enjoyed working with the youth and love soccer. I wanted to assist the game in it's redevelopment having enjoyed it myself and witnessing it's success in the 60's and 70's. The standard had dropped terribly - it was full of controversy and junior soccer appeared to be at an appalling level," recalled Frick.

"We began the first two years with mostly boys who otherwise would not have joined the BFA. They were very difficult and frustrating years as the junior leagues were poorly managed - too tolerant of badly managed clubs with poor conduct," noted the coach, who despite encountering many adversaries, still managed to take things all in stride.

"We enjoyed it for the most part and adapted as best as we could by expanding and retracting."

The third-year was no less challenging he adds.

"We made major changes expanding to two Under-11 teams with our Under-13's with the intention of having only a single team - Under-11's in our fourth-year - that reaped rewards," Frick pointed out.

Evidently, the more things seemed to change, the more they appeared to remain the same, but the coach isn't about to start complaining now with another championship proudly on display. "This year we expanded to include an Under-13 team and are pleased to have David DeSilva, Patrick Trott and Troy Gustodio all take on major roles," he added.

The coach also explained how parents also play a major role at Western Rovers while further unveiling a few plans for the future.

"We currently have four parents involved in youth coaching courses and plan to continue qualifying within. We also hope to expand and have an Under-19 team next year and also possibly a Commercial League team to allow coaches, parents and older boys a chance to share their skills," Frick disclosed.

The coach also revealed that there were currently plans in the pipelines to have the club tour Philadelphia in August - a tour which will coincide with the arrival of English Premier Division giants Manchester United who will be conducting a youth camp in which Rovers will take part in. The team will also drop by the Harrisburg Heat for a brief stint with local pro David Bascome before heading further north to Montreal, Canada where they will compete in an international youth tournament. Rovers last toured England in 2000."I am extremely pleased to be a part of this positive youth organisation that comes together to enjoy soccer. We all could not be more pleased with the results we have received over the years. This Under-13 team is very young with most of them advancing from last year's Under-11 squad. These boys are now undefeated in 32 consecutive league and KO Cup games," said Frick, who also keeps club members well informed with up to date player profiles, pictures and weekend match reports on the club's official website -www.Eteamz.com/western_rovers - and a weekly printed newsletter.

Recapping Rovers remarkable season, the team compiled impeccable statistics of nine wins and two draws from 11 matches and finished at the summit with 29 points. Kristopher Frick, the coach's son, currently tops Rovers' scoring charts with 11 goals.

Both Rovers' Under-11 and Under-13 teams will see AS&K KO Cup quarterfinal action tomorrow at Warwick Academy, the club's home base. Rovers' Under-11 are pitted against PHC White's while the 2002/03 Under-13 league champions meet St.David's.