New Rockbank coach Shane Rayment is keen to continue the progress made over the past 12 months at the Riddell District Football League club.
The Rams announced Rayment’s appointment as senior coach last week. He will replace Gavin Sporle, who stepped down to continue as the club’s football manager.
Having last coached in 2014, Rayment said he’s excited to get back into gear.
“I live in Melton, so I live in the local area,” he said. “A young fellow I used to coach is playing there, and he contacted me and asked if I would go down that path.
“The club went through the process and I have ended up being appointed.”
Rayment has an extensive coaching resume across several competitions in both seniors and under-18s. In his last role, he coached Essendon District Football League club Burnside Heights in its inaugural season.
“I had work commitments, which took me away from coaching,” he said. “I have sorted out a few things and want to coach again.
“I’m basically a Rockbank local. Everyone is excited and up about it.”
He knows that he doesn’t have an easy job ahead, though. The Rams didn’t win a game in 2016, clocking up an average losing margin of more than 100 points.
“We’re starting at the bottom of the tree, and need to do things the right way,” Rayment said.
“It’s not a quick fix and things will not happen in 12 months. We need to make some inroads, but that’s not gauged by making finals.
“I want to improve and want to get better and be more competitive, and keep building on what we started last year.
“We’ll worry about our own goals, and as long as we tick them off week to week and have some enjoyment, we’ll be happy.”
Rayment, who met many of the players on Saturday night, said the attitude of the club and playing group had been one of the big factors attracting him to the role.
He said they would recruit some players into the club, but will continue the focus of the past 12 months.
As far as he was aware, they have managed to keep most of this year’s playing group.
“Gav has done a great job,” he said. “We certainly need to recruit some players, but not do anything stupid.
“We’ll get some older guys in and make sure we keep the list intact. Gav was good at getting under-18s game time, and this is how I work.
“I want to keep developing the team, and maybe we’ll get some young guys.”
