After climbing to the top of the football mountain in 2019, the Wollongong Wolves have declared that is where they will remain in the years to come.
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Luke Wilkshire's immediate turnaround of the club's fortunes was capped on Saturday afternoon when the Wolves were crowned National Premier Leagues champions after a thrilling extra-time victory.
A club that has struggled both on and off the pitch since the golden age of the early 2000s, the Wolves have experienced a number of false dawns throughout the past two decades.
But for captain Justin Pasfield, the club is in the strongest position it's been in a very long time.
"What we're trying to do, from the SAP and Academy programs all the way to first grade, we want to be a family club," Pasfield said.
"We're trying to build that culture and we're on the right path. That was on show on Saturday, the crowd and atmosphere at Albert Butler Park were great.
"They're the kind of support we need to keep sport in the Illawarra alive. It was so good to see everyone there with a smile on their face."
While the players on the field are the public face of the club, the Wolves are run by a small group of loyal and dedicated supporters.
Pasfield, who plans to return for another season in 2020, credited the support of the likes of Chris Sheppard, Tory Lavalle and Susan Gatt among a host of others for ensuring his side can focus purely on their performance on the field.
"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the background staff, who at the end of the day are volunteering to help out the club and get it to where they want it to be. It's a true credit to those people who put countless hours in and just love the club.
"The club hasn't enjoyed a lot of success, so it's nice to give those people what they deserve and end the year on a winning note.
"Luke has put in a lot of hours away from the scenes, he's believed in us, pushed us and that's what's got us over the line, his commitment and everything coming off the back of that.
"Tory, Chris, Susan, the club wouldn't be here without these people. Tory doesn't just support us and help financially with us, he supports numerous clubs in the Illawarra.
"These are the kind of people the Illawarra needs. Without them, these kinds of teams won't be around. That's a true testament to those kinds of people, every week they put their heart and soul in and they do it for nothing.
Wilkshire has made no secrets about the excellence he has demanded from his team throughout the season and he said it will be no different in 2020.
While other NSW NPL clubs have already started their attempts to lure the Wolves stars away from Wollongong, Wilkshire expects the bulk of this year's squad to return next season.
With an FFA Cup Round of 32 berth secured for next year and 11 rival clubs hoping to knock off the defending premiers each and every week, Wilkshire said there is no scope for standards to slip over the next 12 months.
"The biggest challenge is to do it again," Wilkshire said. "People say it's tough to do it once, but if you can do it again back-to-back, that's another level.
"The key is to have that hunger and desire. It's that simple and I'll make sure it's still there next year."
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