New Sunbury Kangaroos coach Bevan Green is hoping to take the side to the next level in the Essendon District Football League Women’s competition.
The Kangaroos have shown plenty of positives in their first two seasons, including finishing third this year, with only losses to the grand finalists.
Green, who takes over from Allan Walters, admits taking on the coaching role is a big stepping stone, but said he is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m an untried coach … I’m excited about the challenge,” he said. “I’ve always been a player, but I never loved playing. I’m a student of the game and love watching it.
“I’m looking forward to being on the other side.”
Green isn’t new to the Kangaroos, his wife Danni Green was playing-coach in the team’s first season and co-captain this year.
Green said having watched the side the past couple of seasons, he knew what they were capable of.
He said it’s now about taking the next step.
“A lot of the girls have learned to play [the basics of] footy, but they don’t really know how to play,” he said.
“I think they are ready to take the next step. It’s not a token thing any more, there’s avenues for careers. It’s more serious now.
“They finished third this year and a couple of games they lost, the opposition wasn’t necessarily a better side, but a better organised side.
“That’s some of the stuff the girls have to learn.”
Green said the side drew its strength from the friendships on and off the field, which he said was rare in football.
One of Green’s aims this season is to get some of the players up to a level to possibly play VFLW or even AFLW.
“I can name a dozen girls in that team, if they took it seriously and had the right people behind them, who could make the move,” he said.
“It’s one of my goals. While I don’t want to lose them, I want them to move forward to play at higher levels.
“It’s a good thing for them.”
The Kangaroos are set to be boosted by a few youth girls players stepping up this season, adding some extra depth.
Green said anyone interested in playing was more than welcome.
The Kangaroos women’s side kicks off pre-season training on October 31 and will run on Wednesday nights before Christmas.
Allan Walters, has stepped down from coaching to concentrate on his role as Kangaroos’ president.
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