By Tara Murray
New Gisborne women’s coach Jason Peak said his role is the perfect way to stay involved with female football.
Peak, a Gisborne local, was last week announced as the Bulldogs’ new coach, replacing Anthony Carrigg and Lisa Borg.
“I’m excited by the challenge,” Peak said.
“I was at the Calder Cannons [girls] two years ago and I was looking to get back involved with coaching.
“I wanted to stay involved in the women’s side and was looking somewhere local … Gisborne was advertising.”
Peak said because he was a Gisborne local he had had an interest in the club as a coach, parent and spectator for a number of years.
He has previously coached juniors at the Bulldogs, with several players part of the Bulldogs under-18 boys premiership side this year.
One of his daughters is a trainer at the club and the other plays netball at the club.
Peak said he had watched a few of the Bulldogs’ women’s games this year and was impressed with what he saw.
“I’m familiar with who the players are and I’ve already taken some notes, having watched them.
“It’s a good way to be involved. I had a go at the higher level and enjoyed it, but it left a sour taste.
“I’ll help out and have some fun, hopefully win a few games and maybe have some success.”
The Bulldogs finished third in the AFL Goldfields competition this year, knocked out in the preliminary final.
Peak said there are a lot of positives from this season which saw the team make massive inroads.
He said the number of players coming through the youth girls sides was a bonus for the club.
“The most exciting thing is the amount of youth to come through to the team in the next 12, 24 and 36 months,” he said.
“For me it’s not a 12 month plan, I want to be there for an extended period of time.
“Hopefully we can attract some players who want to play under a reasonable coach who want to enjoy their football with a good group and footy club.”
Peak said they were still to set a date for pre-season to start.
Anyone interested in playing in the women’s side next season, can contact the club.
