Rockbank intends to build on the work it’s done in the past 12 months as it contemplates the 2017 Riddell District Football League season.
The Rams finished without a win but know they’re in a better place than 12 months ago.
The club spent this year looking to build its culture on and off-field and, with Gavin Sporle set to step down, it has advertised for a new senior coach.
Sporle said his decision would enable him to take on a more hands-on role off-field, and he would stay with the club as football operations manager.
“I’m stepping down as coach because we’re in the perfect position to capitalise on the work we’ve already done. Someone needs to take on the off-field role and I’d like to do that, but I’ll go around [again as coach] if we can’t find someone to build on the culture we’ve set in place.”
Sporle said of the coaching role: “We need someone who can help the club grow, who can maintain the culture and coach the whole club. We need a leader from the top down.”
Sporle said they would look to start re-signing the current playing group in the next couple of weeks.
“From initial discussions I’ve had with the players, I think most will stay. We’re in a lot better spot than 12 months ago and can add some young talent to the list now, but we’re not going to try and recruit using money. We want young players who want the chance to play senior football.”
The club also wants to re-establish an A-grade netball side and junior football program. The Rams had neither this year.
Sporle said they aimed to have at least two junior sides next year.
“The under-14s and under-16s are our target and we think we can get them up. Having had Auskick this year, we’ll possibly push for an under-10s side in the next couple of years. We’re opening it up for every group.”
