By Tara Murray
It’s gone a bit of a full circle for new Sunbury Lions women’s coach Phil Lithgow.
Having long been involved with the Lions, including a stint as president, Lithgow was recently announced as the Lions’ coach for next season.
Lithgow has been a keen observer of the side for a number of years and decided to get on board and help out.
He replaces Kerry Saunders who has left to take on a role at a higher level.
“I see the girls all the time as I work at the social club which is at the ground,” he said.
“I have interaction with the girls and I was the inaugural youth girls coach.
“Some of those girls are still playing, so it will be nice to coach them again.”
Lithgow coached the youth girls side for two years, guiding them to the premiership in 2007.
He said it had been about 10 years since he had coached, but he had stayed involved in football the whole time.
Lithgow said it was a thrilling time to get involved with the team.
“The under-18 team is pretty exciting and has some quality talent,” he said.
“We’ll be encouraging those too old to keep playing with us and it’s about keeping the rest of the group together.
“Most of the girls are already talking about playing again next season.”
He said he wants to work with the youth girls and junior coaches. The youth girls side won a second straight premiership, while the under-15s made the grand final.
The Lions finished sixth this season in the Essendon District Football League Women’s competition.
They were knocked out of the finals by the Sunbury Kangaroos in a semi final.
Lithgow said the playing group was a little disappointed with their season.
“They feel like they left a little bit in the tank, hopefully we can climb up the ladder.”
The Lions will start preseason on November 12 and Lithgow said anyone who was interested should come down.
“Anyone who wants to train, even if they aren’t committed to playing can come down. There’s no age barrier.”
