THE Hamilton Kangaroos are pushing ahead towards 2023, announcing their Hampden Football Netball League Under-16 and Under-14 coaches.

Damien Vansomeren will take the reins of the Under-16s, while Matt Dunn will guide the Under-14s in the upcoming campaign.

Dunn said he was excited to work with another group of juniors and help them expand their football skills.

“We will have a large portion of this year’s group go up to Under-16,” he said.

“There will be five remaining from the group from this season just gone.

“We have got a good crop of kids in the district coming through who will hopefully be keen to test themselves at Hampden league level.”

With lockdowns behind us, consistent football has been the focus, with Dunn excited to see how quickly some of the players progress during the season.

“Coming into this past season, some kids had only played 10 or so games,” Dunn said.

“So were very much in the learning phase, so that was the focus and we feel like they have come a long way now and we can build on that going forward.

“We are hoping to have a training run before Christmas, then we will get back into it when school returns and hopefully over a three or four-week period, we will select our Hampden league side.”

John Iredell will be onboard again as an assistant and will look to build on that support network as the season progresses.

It will be Vansomeren’s first Hampden coaching role after coming from the Horsham and District Football Netball League.

After his son’s moved to the Roos to play, he said he wanted to get more involved in the club going forward.

“It was good for the club to ask me, came from Harrow-Balmoral Under-14s originally, but this will give me a chance to emphasise on skills and undertake a higher level of coaching,” Vansomeren said.

“My boys are playing down here now, so it is good to get involved.

“Few more ideas we can run with some better skilled kids here as well.

“The club’s junior program is very good, so will be good to have the influence of other guys around to help as well.”

Despite living up north, it did take some time to settle on the decision to coach, but Vansomeren remains satisfied the right decision was made.

“It would have taken me about six or eight weeks to convince my wife, with the travel and stuff,” he said.

“I just can’t wait to get in amongst it now.”

Jason Gill will assist Vansomeren during the season to lead the Under-16 side.

Both teams will have a training session at Melville Oval on December 19 from 4.30-5.30pm.