East Sunbury has turned to a favourite son to coach the side in next year’s Essendon District Football League division 2 season.
The Thunder announced that Travis Bishop would coach the side next year, replacing Aaron Kite, who stood down for family reasons.
Bishop was the club’s senior football operations manager this year.
“I’m rapt and very honoured and privileged,” Bishop said.
“I’ve been at the club for 12 years and I’m very excited to take on the next step. I started at the club just after the beginning as a senior players and junior coach.
“The past few years I was a reserves coach and assistant coach to Glenn Hopkins. I’ve been looking for a senior footy role, it was all about timing for me.”
Bishop takes on the role with a year under the belt for the senior program which returned after a year in recess.
The club managed to get both seniors and reserves up and running. The reserves managed to get three wins under Stephen Atherton, who has been reappointed, while the senior side failed to win a game.
Bishop said the wins and losses doesn’t tell the story.
“It was very hard for us to get up and running again,” he said. “To get two teams for this year was huge.
“We always said this year was a stepping stone. I know everyone looks at success as wins and losses, but this year having two senior teams and creating a pathway through to the senior team and keep that link for a very long time is a success.”
Bishop has coached many of the group in juniors and is now looking forward to coaching then at a senior level.
He pointed out the likes of Tom Burnside and Joshua Crump, as two who had really good seasons this year.
With another year under their belts and the likes of Aaron Kite, staying on as a player, and Mitch Church returning, there is plenty of potential.
“We had over 20 players play senior football before who had never played senior football before,” he said.
“We have already appointed two under-18.5 coaches, Liam Watson and Charlie Spencer. We didn’t have a side last year.
“They coached our under-16 ]premiership winning] side.”
The club is also aiming to get a women’s side up for the first time next season.
Bishop said he can’t wait to get pre-season underway ahead of next year’s season.
“It can’t come quick enough,” he said. “I want to strengthen the side and play a run and carry game.
“I know that we have to recruit some midfielders and hopefully the youth till come up and we can hold onto these players.
“We want to be pushing for more professionalism.”
Tara Murray
