Sebastopol hires mean junior teams back on park

AFTER two years without junior teams, the Sebastopol Football Netball Club has taken its first steps towards redemption with the appointment of new coaches.

Glen Miller and Des Anthony have been appointed under 17 and under 19 coaches respectively as the club looks to field a competitive side in those junior competitions for the first time since 2016.

The move comes after AFL Goldfields and the Ballarat Football Netball League announcement back in mid-July that junior divisions would be reshuffled to create a better environment and pathway for players into senior football.

“We think the first step is to appoint and announce coaches as it’s the first question anyone asks and we consider it crucial for the clubs future,” Former Sebastopol Club President Chris Parker said.

Sebastopol’s under 12, 14 and 16 sides played finals this past season and with a vastly improving senior outfit, Parker said the club is committed to providing their juniors a clear pathway.

“We believe quality coaches for the junior sides is a must,” he said.

“In addition to this, the senior players, including ex-AFL players Brett Goodes and Matt Austin are very invested in the junior development of players within our club.”

New under 17s coach Glen Miller is an ex-senior player for the Burra who, post playing career, has gone onto guide Mt Clear Football Club to junior premierships.

Miller said he was keen to welcome returning players along with new heads to the club.

“We are looking to give a better pathway from juniors to seniors and also my goals as under 17s coach is to not just develop these guys as young players but as young men moving forward,” he said.

Des Anthony was one of last year’s senior assistant coaches at the club.

Anthony said how important the senior group he worked with last year will be for the development of the under 19s.

“As we look to advance the club we will be looking for our future under 19s to align with our senior group… it’s no good for the entire league not having a side in one of the competitions and as a bit of a destination club we see it vital to go in this direction,” he said.

Anthony is also very enthusiastic about the role and is keen to welcome as many players as possible back to the club and encourages any player born after first of January 2000 to join the under 19 competitions in the BFNL with Sebastopol next season.