Burnside Heights didn’t have to search too far for a new coach for next year’s Essendon District Football League division 2 season.
After Cole Harvey decided to step down after three seasons in charge, the Bears have appointed his assistant coach Damian Gillman to replace him.
Gillman said he was keen for the challenge.
“It’s very exciting and it’s something I’ve been wanting to do,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to arise.”
Gillman started coaching juniors at Strathmore and then East Keilor before joining forces with Harvey at Hillside, coaching its under-18s.
He followed Harvey across to Burnside Heights as an assistant coach when Harvey took on the coaching role.
Gillman said the young playing group at the club was what excited him the most about taking on this role.
“The development of the players is exciting,” he said. “The under-18s won the premiership and few of those players will step up.
“We’ll help develop them as they are coming through and build a senior team. Hopefully I’m the first senior premiership coach at Burnside Heights.
Gillman said they had re-signed 90 per cent of their list for next season, which is a big plus for the new coach.
He said their first focus had been on ensuring they kept their existing playing group together
Gillman said it’s much easier having been part of the club and the group heading into next year.
“I know the players and the good things and bad things,” he said. “It’s a new era.”
The Bears will look to add some more talent to their group, but are limited by salary cap and points restrictions for another two years.
Gillman said they know what they are working with and will look to improve from there.
“Hopefully we can build,” he said. “We want to push as quickly as we can.
“Hopefully we can entice some recruits to come across.”
