Tara Murray
New Sunbury Kangaroos women’s coach Ron Sikora is hoping to build on the promise the side has shown in the Essendon District Football League in recent years.
The Kangaroos have finished third in both seasons they’ve played in the EDFL, but are yet to have an impact in finals.
Sikora had a first hand view of the Kangaroos having coached against them in 2019, when he took Keilor to the premier division grand final.
Sikora was the Blues coach for the 2020 season that didn’t go ahead.
He said his departure from the Blues was a little bit unexpected, which saw him seek out other coaching opportunities.
It was the Kangaroos that stood out.
“One of the things I said to [president] Al [Walters] was the game [against Keilor] in the finals, the side showed some great promise
“There was something missing and you don’t know what it is until you’re there.
“I rang Al to speak about the job and I had calls from other EDFL clubs, Western Region and Amatuer clubs.
“It’s good as it’s close to home, as I’m living and working in Sunbury.”
Sikora, who has experience in the VFL system, has previously coached some of the playing squad in juniors at the Sunbury Lions.
While there are still a lot of unknowns, Sikora is already starting to get things underway in preparation for pre-seseason.
“I’m going to start ringing up players and see what everyone’s thoughts and ideas are,” he said.
“As soon as we can get a group of four or 40 or whatever, we’ll get something up and going for the players to start training.”
Sikora said he was also keen to try and get the club’s under-18s girls program back up and going.
They tried to have a team in 2020, but didn’t have the numbers.
“It goes hand in hand,” he said.
“If you have success with the 18s, it’s only a matter of time before you’re successful in the women’s program and helps with longevity.”
The Kangaroos role isn’t the only coaching job Sikora has for next season.
He’s been named coach of an Australian women’s team which will face a world team in an exhibition match at the World Nations Cup.
Sikora said it would be a six week process from the first training session to the match, which will be played on the same day as the men’s grand final.
