New South Gawler senior football coach Andrew Milligan is wasting no time settling into his role.
Milligan was presented to the South Gawler players last Friday night then was introduced to the members at the Den on Saturday night.
“This week I will be talking to all the players about the plans for 2010,” Milligan said.
“I’m excited about the challenge with South and it is important to get the club moving in the right direction.
South Gawler Football Club last Friday night announced Milligan’s appointment and also that of Kym Hillard as the 2010 Reserves coach.
Milligan said he already had appointed the coaching panel with Gary Low as the A grade assistant coach and John De Meo as the B grade assistant coach.
“I believe it is important to also have a strength and conditioning coordinator and expect to be able to announced that appointment shortly.
“We are looking to transform part of the club into a weights area as it is important for our footballers and experienced SANFL recruits expect it.”
Milligan said he was hoping to attract players to South Gawler.
“We will look at what we have in our group then target one or two players for specific areas to complement the group.
It has been a whirlwind fortnight for the respected coach.
Milligan coached Kapunda A grade this year but informed the committee mid-August he would not be seeking re-appointment.
“I have nothing but praise for Kapunda,” Milligan said. “The club and the players were fantastic but I just wasn’t the right fit for their situation.”
But Milligan had no sooner announced he was leaving Kapunda, than South captain Aaron Bayliss was on the phone suggesting the Lions might suit him.
“I have known Aaron for many years. He is the most honest player that I’ve had the privilege to coach and a genuine leader.
Another incentive for Milligan to join South was the club’s excellent results in the under 17s and 15s.
“South has an emphasis on youth and a number of players were introduced to A grade this year.
“With a strong junior base hopefully we can develop the club into a final’s contender.”
South Gawler’s football director Matthew Trimboli is positive about the future for the Lions.
“South has had a group of people working on our football structure in preparation for the 2010 season for some time now,” Trimboli said.
“Their focus was on ensuring we appointed the best possible coaching panel to take us forward. We were overwhelmed by the large number of people that enquired about or applied for our senior coaching positions and this reinforces the fact that we are a strong club with a bright future.”
Milligan’s resume is impressive. He coached at under 19 level in the SANFL for four years at with West Adelaide (2003, 2004 and 2007) and Norwood in 2008. His teams always competed in finals and he guided the Bloods to a 2004 premiership.
He is an AFL Level 3 accredited coach and while taking a break from coaching in 2006 he filled the role of recruiting scout with the Brisbane Lions Football Club.
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