David Hatzis is set to lead Thomastown’s inaugural women’s team in the Northern Football League.
Hatzis spent the 2023 season assistant coaching under Garth Duncan at the Mernda Demons.
He said developing a fresh women’s program at the Bears is an exciting opportunity.
“That’s the most exciting thing about it, it’s a new venture, a plain scrapbook that we can mould the way we see fit,” he said.
“I’m very excited, I’ve coached juniors for a long time and had an assistant role at Mernda this season and absolutely loved it.
“So when I got asked to apply for the position by a number of girls that I’ve coached this year and in the past, I took the leap of faith and ended up getting the position.
“I’m just wrapped, absolutely ecstatic.”
Being asked by some of the women who he will now be coaching fills Hatzis with confidence he said.
“Most of these girls I’ve only known on the footy field for 8, 10, 12 months, so for a dozen of them to come across and say ‘Dave we want you to continue coaching us’ it’s an honour,” he said.
“Most of them play netball at Thomastown, they feel comfortable at Thomastown within that environment.
“They’re sort of taking a leap of faith in me.
“But the bonus is that most of these girls are between the ages of 16 and 23, which is great for the club because you’re looking at 8, 10, 12, 15 year players if the club does the right thing by them and they do the right thing by the club, we’re going to have a senior women’s team for a very long time.”
A lot of the women committed for next season are relatively new to football, something that Hatzis is hoping to make the most of as he aims to create a fun, positive environment at the Bears.
“We’re going to accommodate any standard, any level, that doesn’t worry me,” he said.
“We’re all about being one encompassing team and working mainly on skills… as long as they have fun.
“We’re not going to take it too seriously, it’s not all about winning flags, yes that would be great, but it’s about having fun and learning the skills and finer things about football.”
At the moment the Bears have about 12 players committed, for next season. The club is encouraging anyone interested in playing football under Hatzis next season to come to the meet and greet at 7pm on Wednesday, November 1 at their club rooms on Main Street, Thomastown . Or to give him a call on 0413 057 601.
