By Trevor Jackson
WITH its inclusion in the Western Border Football League for the 2021 season, Casterton Sandford Football Club is forging ahead, announcing a new A Grade coach this week at training.
Kane Forbes will take on the top job, after his recent appointment to vice-president of the club.
New president Dylan Ayton said after searching for a coach, Forbes emerged as the best man for the job.
“Kane has been coaching the twos the last four years,” Ayton said.
“We had other options but the direction we want to go and the culture change we want to have, he is perfect for our long-term vision.
“He is a fantastic coach in his own – I believe he is one of the best coaches in the area, in the Western District.”
Ayton said the decision was welcomed by the playing group this week.
“Everyone is rapt,” he said.
“It will be a massive year for him but he will be amazing.”
Taking on the coaching job along with his vice-president’s role will keep the new coach busy, with a one-year deal inked at this stage.
However, Ayton said with the right people in place the workload should not be a problem.
“We see Kane as a long term option,” he said.
“We believe he can carry the club to the next premiership, hopefully within the next three to four years.
“Kane does a lot – he has more on than any other person I have met.
“But he is as cool, calm and collected under pressure as anyone you will see.”
Forbes will be joined by Justin Carlin as assistant coach, with Diarmid Cleary returning to play, along with Angus Dundon from Harrow.
Other players will be announced in the coming weeks as the Cats gear up for a real tilt at the competition.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Ayton said.
“We have done a restructure of the football department with an eye on the vision we have for the next three to five years, building from the start and trying to really be proud of the club we are playing for.
“We have put a cap on the travellers.
“In the past we have had up to 10 travellers, so we have cut that to about five so we can train together and create that buzz around training.”
A recent scratch match saw two full sides take to the park, which Ayton said was areal positive.
The Cats have also acquired the second semi-final at Island Park, which was also something Ayton was pleased about.
“That is really exciting,” he said.
“We have heaps of facility upgrades coming up and some of those will be done by finals time.
“We have new lights on the horizon, our change rooms, our showers and toilets will be upgraded, so we are planning to have a strong future.”
