Tara Murray
Chris Clifton leaves Lancefield a proud man with the dream of hopefully being able to return to Riddell District Football League club one day.
Clifton, the club’s inaugural women’s coach, will depart the club with one game remaining this season after receiving a transfer from his job with the ADF (Australian Defence Force).
The club said without Clifton they wouldn’t have got a side up and running this year and he gave them the confidence to give it a go.
Clifton said it’s bittersweet to depart the club.
“It’s been good and I’ve been stoked about it,” he said. “When I spoke to them when I first came on board I said that this could happen.
“It was my job to get it up and running and set the foundations and I’ve been able to tick it off.
“We’ve had 38 players throughout the season. It’s been a better season than I thought.”
Clifton, who has been involved at AFLW level, said at the start of the year the focus wasn’t on wins.
They’ve managed to put two together and been competitive in a number of other games.
“The score hasn’t always reflected the effort,” he said. “We have achieved above and beyond what this group has envisaged.
“They have made it easier from a coaching perspective.”
Clifton said they had a combination of mums and daughters, sisters, cousins, friends and netballers play this season.
He said they had formed a good relationship with the netballers and he hoped going forward that can grow even stronger.
Clifton said he would also keep an eye on the Tigers and will make sure they are set up for season number two.
“I hope work brings me back here,” he said. “The way the club supported me and the relationship has built over the last two years.
“I’ll have a hand over plan and I’ll do the pre-Xmas pre-season and integrate the new coach.
“Hopefully I can come back and coach again.”
The club in its social media post said that Clifton had left a lasting impact on the club and town.
“He has created a positive, supportive environment for women to meet, play sport and create lifelong friendships,” he said.
“He has made our club better as a result and for that we will always be grateful.”
The Tigers finished their season on Saturday against Macedon.
Lancefield stuck with the ladder leaders for the first half before the Cats kicked away, winning 4.16 (40)-1.2 (8).
Chloe Hodgson continued her outstanding form for the Tigers being named their best along with Taleeya Robotham and Mia Ferguson.
The Tigers finish the season in seventh.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have announced that Ciara Stewart has been reappointed the club’s A-grade netball coach.
