THE Hamilton Kangaroos are backing in senior coach, Hamish Waldron, for another year with the playing-coach signing on to continue his tenure in 2023.

The midfielder took the reins for this year from Gerard FitzGerald, and said it was good to get the decision sorted early.

“It is always nice, when I signed up the first time I was going to do the first year and see how I went and it has been good,” he said.

“The earlier I can get locked in, the earlier you can stitch players up.

“I had been thinking about it and just took on a new job, Steph and I have just had a baby as well and life was a bit busy, but I said to Steph I wanted to do it.

“She knows how much I have put into the club and I want the club to be successful.”

Waldron said he hoped his commitment to the club would lead others to sign on early and prepare well for next year.

“I would hope most of the ones playing will sign up and I am always big on signing up our own before going out and getting others,” he said.

“I have been big on playing youth this year and that will continue.”

As for the on-field, the coach said he was bullish about what the team could achieve going forward.

“If you had have said to me we’d be 5-5 at the half way mark, I would have taken it,” he said.

“I will be trying to win as many games as I can then think about moulding a few players and how they might play next year.

“There are a few little things we want to tweak, but I am happy with how we are playing.”

Club chairman, Lachy Patterson said it was a boost for the club to retain Waldron as coach for next season.

 “It has always been our intention to give him an extended period to make this team his own and the growth within the playing group over the course of the season is clear to see,” he said.

“Hamish’s professional approach towards the job has played a big part in this development and we couldn’t think of a person we’d rather have in charge again.

 “He is very well liked by the playing group, is exceptionally well prepared and continues to evolve into his role as the weeks pass by.

“His determination to promote youth within the senior side has been a huge positive for the club and sets us up well for the future as does the clear understanding of a Hampden style game plan from the playing group.

 “While finals are very much the goal for the remainder of this season, we also look positively towards next year and the further improvement that can be obtained from another pre-season, the development of our current list and the hopeful addition of further players.”

Waldron said having the backing of the committee reaffirmed the direction he was taking.

“Just like to thank the committee for backing me in and giving me another go,” he said.