One of the Sunbury Kangaroos inaugural women’s players has taken on the coaching reins for next year’s Essendon District Football League season.
The Kangaroos announced that Carly Blythe would coach next year, taking over from Chris Dunne.
Blythe said she had started to think about getting involved in the coaching side of things the past few years.
“I sort of the last year took a little bit more notice of the coaching role and all the ins and outs of it and thought it was something that I wanted to do,” she said.
“Try and get a little more involved in that sense. The way that the group is sort of evolving, it’s a good time to jump on board and it panned out.”
Blythe said it was exciting to coach at the club where she had played all her footy.
The new coach has played 70 games for the club, including sharing the side’s leading goalkicker award previously.
“You’re always there and if you can’t play forever, it’s something I would like to do,” she said. “They’ve been a great club always for women’s footy and supporting us and doing what they can.
“I thought why not a better place to do it.”
Blythe said she was hoping to still be able to play as well this season but that would depend on a few things including numbers.
The Kangaroos finished fourth this season in division 2, losing to Roxburgh Park in a semi final.
Blythe said it was a good base to build on.
“We had a lot of injuries,” she said. “We’ll get a few of those girls back which will hopefully help boost that up again.
“I think we did pretty well. There was a fair bit of experience by the end of it all and helped us push into finals.”
Blythe said she was hoping to continue on building on the club being a place that players wanted to come back to.
She said she wants to get the side back up to where it was and hopefully make the Sunbury Kangaroos a place for women’s footy.
The Kangaroos have announced a number of re-signings for next season already.
Best and fairest winner Tylah Bell was the first signing along with Teaghan Tweedly, Kiara Milici, Beth White, Holli Cecchinni and Nicole Cameron.
Blythe said they were looking for new players to come and join the squad for next year.
“The more the merrier,” she said. “With the injuries we had last season, you never know what is going to happen.
“We would love a few more players. No experience or anything, just have some girls there that want to play footy.
“We encourage anyone to come down and have a go, you don’t need any experience. You can meet some new friends and hopefully become part of the Kangas family we’re trying to continue.”
Pre-season starts on November 13.
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