That’s been the weekly routine for Tony Catanzariti and son Roy this winter, to be a part of the Wagga City Wanderers. But there are no complaints.

“Best thing I’ve done for him,” said Tony.

Catanzariti senior, who is the team manager for the Wanderers first grade side, says having access to State League Two football in the Riverina is a golden opportunity.

“Roy’s improved 100 per cent since he’s been over there, just in the skills he’s picked up, the coaching, and playing against such good opposition.

“Two hours away… People do a lot more travelling than this in the city. And we’ve got better roads. That’s the way we look at it.”

Like many of the Wanderers’ teenagers, Roy has spent time in first grade, starting in two games and coming off the bench in more. His development was evident on Wednesday night when the 15-year old was named man of the match for Yoogali in a Griffith first grade game.

“It’s been really good. It’s a long stronger and faster, they’re very hard,” Roy said. The players are also learning how to assert themselves on the pitch. “We’ve learnt to be aggressive, and keep your aggression up. And then skills, positioning, shooting… everything really.”

Tony believes there’ll be increased interest for next year including from cities like Griffith and Albury. Now the Wanderers are established, and with an Under 18 team being introduced, players will realise that the State League Two club offers quality football against metropolitan opposition.

“They do a lot on holding possession, which is the name of the game. And the technical things like how to compress a side… there’s a lot I didn’t know! Blaise [Fagan, the first grade coach] has been really good with Roy. He’s taught him a lot and I think he’s teaching them in a good way. Good, hard, old-fashioned way.”

Tony says injuries and suspension have made it a tough debut season – with the Wanderers yet to taste victory – and he doesn’t believe the ladder tells the full story.

“After we played Southern Districts – they’re second on the ladder and won the comp last year – they came into our dressing rooms and said it was the hardest 20 minutes they’ve played. We stuck it right to them, and then it was just one of those things you can’t explain… a young side, we lose a bit of concentration for five minutes, and good opposition puts in the goals in a short period of time.

“The Wanderers have a really good side and they’re going to be super in the future. A few good players from Griffith and maybe Albury and we’d make a very good team.”

Trials for 2016 will begin in mid-November, with the Wanderers expected to announce next season’s coaches within a fortnight.