EAST POINT has joined the search for a new coach after Michael Hynes announced his resignation last night.
The 38-year-old, who coached the Red Lion Kangaroos into three successive finals campaigns, said he knew it was time to leave Eastern Oval, but backed the club’s ‘‘fantastic, young, hardworking list’’ to capture the
premiership that has eluded it.
Hynes said he finalised his decision to step aside on Sunday night after the Kangaroos where knocked out of this season’s MECU Ballarat Football League premiership race. He admitted, though, he had been thinking about his future ‘‘for some time’’.
‘‘I’ve had three years in the role and felt it was time for someone else to come in and continue what I have started with these guys,’’ Hynes said.
‘‘That’s if they feel they want to go in the same direction.
‘‘As a player, you know when it’s time to retire. It might be the same as a coach.
‘‘My wife Belinda and I talked about the decision on Sunday night. She was keen for me to continue coaching, but I knew it was time.’’
Hynes informed East Point president Alan Dennis of his decision on Monday, who described the announcement as a surprise.
Dennis said the club would now advertise for three coaching positions, with reserves coach Rick Wilson and under-18.5 coach Michael Spratling also standing aside for next season.
‘‘It was a shock on Monday,’’ Dennis said.
‘‘It was only last week we were talking about what sort of players we would need for 2011.
‘‘We’ll advertise all three coaches positions.
‘‘Rick (Wilson) told us he was going overseas, while Michael (Spratling) will be staying at the club in some role
but indicated at the start of the season he would not be coaching beyond this year.
‘‘The (senior) coaching position is open to internal people along with external people.
‘‘If (captain and assistant coach) Dan Jordan would like to put in an application it would be considered along other applications.’’
Hynes said he had unashamedly sought to develop the East Point playing group through promoting under-18.5
players.
He said that record had left the Kangaroos in a great state.
‘‘I consider my time successful,’’ Hynes said.
‘‘In the first year not a lot was expected of us because we turned over so many players.
‘‘We turned over 23 players in the first two years, but we finished in the finals each year and, but for one terrible quarter last year, who knows?
‘‘As a senior coach I have a firm view of what you need to do to be successful.
‘‘I am proud that I did not deviate from that and just tell people what they wanted to hear.
‘‘I wasn’t here to be everyone’s friend.
‘‘I was here to bring the best out of the players.
‘‘It’s about direct honesty and that’s challenging for some footballers and coaches.’’
Dennis said Hynes’ strength was giving junior players an opportunity at senior level, but the Kangaroos would seek to ‘‘get the balance right’’ by recruiting some senior
players.
Hynes, who has been coaching football since 1998, said he had not considered his next step yet.
‘‘I wanted to thank the club for the opportunity to coach.
‘‘I came back from Horsham not necessarily expecting to
coach,’’ he said.
Email a friend