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Thomas Top Roo

AFTER an extensive search, Hamilton Kangaroos has unveiled Brad Thomas as its new senior football coach for the Hampden Football Netball League 2024 season, as the club seeks to build upon the great work achieved by outgoing coach Hamish Waldron.

Waldron placed an emphasis on the young players within the club handing many of these players their senior debuts over the course of his two-year stint in charge, and Thomas is looking to build upon that foundation.

“Ten years ago, I applied to coach the club in its first season as I was coaching Hamilton at the time of the amalgamation, but I wasn’t successful and headed off to coach Stawell.in the Wimmera league,” Thamas said.

“The time was right for me to apply again, and I feel the club’s right and I’m right for it to occur now.”

Hamilton Kangaroos president, Lachy Patterson

“We are extremely excited with the appointment of Brad as our senior coach for 2024,” Patterson said.

“This is a decision that has been made after an extensive campaign and is one that has been met with great enthusiasm by our senior playing group.

“Since re-joining us mid-season, Brad has impressed everyone involved with his maturity, professionalism, communication, strategic thinking, and a strong desire to see the club improve on and off the field.

“Combined with his extensive senior coaching and playing experience, we feel Brad is exactly what our club needs right now in an important time of transition for the Kangaroos.”

“There’s no shirking it (where the club is at present within the HDFL) as the club is second last on the ladder and that’s where we are at,” Thomas said.

“There are plans in place already (for the development of the club as a whole) but first we need to work on a one-on-one basis with these kids to achieve a little bit more and our game plan will also develop too but to develop strong standards both within the group and the club.

“We have a good young list and now that they are young men and we are looking to develop them even more.

“We are looking to build from within and I believe we have the talent here already to be a successful club in the Hampden league.

“There are plenty of good young men within our group and the wider Hamilton region, and we’ll be looking to develop them into a side the community will enjoy coming to see each week.”

Thomas will not pull on the boots again despite playing some games this past season.

“I will not be playing again even though I played half a dozen games this season, my playing days are definitely over,” he said.

“We want to become a footy club where our kids can have a pathway through to the AFL, right from our youngest team through to the senior side.

“I have a passion to empower people to succeed in and out of football, working with the wider community see these young men succeed in life.

“Goals for the footy club are not about premierships but I think you create an environment where players, spectators, official’s, volunteers come and unite to enjoy each other’s company.

“The days of only one coach are gone and we need to create a coaching staff where these young men can develop and thrive, I will bring assistant coaches with me but that is still in the works.

“Anyone who wants to get around the club is welcome, be it as a player, volunteer, official or sponsor you are welcome at the Kangaroos.

“We are driven to make sure Hamilton Kangaroos is a strong club but also that those clubs within the Hamilton region are strong as we want to work and build great relationships with the clubs in the Hamilton area to make the game even stronger.”

Pre-season will begin on November 1 for the Hamilton Kangaroos, but not at Melville Oval as it’s being redeveloped and will not be available for use until 2024 at some stage.

“While he has outlined a tough pre-season, he is also fully aware of the disruption without access to a home ground and planning on how to overcome and embrace this,” Patterson said.

“He is currently working hard with our recruiting committee on securing a core group of support staff and some new players to the club; these discussions will be continuing busily over the coming months.

“Brad has a commitment to improving not only our senior players but also working with the team of coaches to develop a style of play consistent through all our football sides.

“He will be bringing a family focus to the Kangaroos and a sense of fun and enjoyment, something we feel is particularly important given the unusual situation we find ourselves in for the 2024 season.”

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