After 4 Seasons coaching the Pickering Brook Football Club, Tony and the Club are parting ways. Tony’s impact on the Playing Group and the Club as a whole has been exceptional. When Tony arrived it would be fair to say that the buy in from the Playing Group needed improvement and it is a testament to Tony’s level headed and inclusive coaching style that he was able to bring the Group together which resulted in improved performances on the field. After missing Finals the previous season, in Tony’s first season in charge the Hawks qualified for Finals and followed that up with a Grand Final appearance in his 2nd season. Season 3 saw Tony guide the boys to Pickering Brook’s first ever Minor Premiership with an unfortunate run of injuries dashing hopes of a first ever flag. With COVID-19 causing havoc in 2020,Tony repeated the feat of finishing the season as Minor Premiers and after an epic Grand Final the Hawks were pipped by 1 straight kick. Tony and the Playing Leadership Group ensured impact was just as strong off the field. The Playing Group became one group as opposed to lots of little groups within a team. Thursday Night Dinners after training became an institution due to the Club, Tony and the Leadership Group’s strong encouragement and the buy in from the players became apparent when when we had players vying for spots and turning up on gameday when they didn’t get a game to help out with running, umpiring and scoreboard duties.
After a great deal of deliberation the Committee has decided to appoint a new Coach for 2021, an announcement of the new Coach will be made in the near future.
We would like to thank Tony for his hard work for the Pickering Brook Football Club and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.