New Calder Cannons regional talent operations lead Sebastian Spagnuolo wants to get the club back to being one of the powerhouses in the Coates Talent League.
Spagnuolo started at the Cannons last week replacing Matthew Burton, who has moved on to join Carlton.
Having been at Victorian Football League club Coburg for the past nine years, Spagnuolo said he was looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m really excited to have joined the Calder Cannons,” he said. “I wanted to continue to be part of the player pathway and I really enjoy the challenge.
“I wanted to stay in the region, it’s really important to me. I’m from this region, the north-west, and I’m passionate about it and the talent pathway system.
“It’s an important role to help the boys and girls where they want to go.
Spagnuolo said after nine years at Coburg and having held just about every role including chief executive most recently, he said it was time for a change.
He said when the opportunity came up, it was one that he had to jump into. With the connection between Coburg and the Cannons, he’s familiar with the set up.
“There’s a long connection between the two,” he said. “They used to be co-tenants as Coburg.
“There’s been a large number of players who ended up at Coburg and played some good football.
“Luke Ryan, Adam Saad played at the Cannons, then Coburg and then AFL.”
One familiar face at the Cannons for Spagnuolo is boys coach Andrew Sturgess, who previously coached at Coburg.
Spagnuolo said he was looking forward to working with Sturgess again, along with girls coach Ross Smith.
Coming in more than midway through the season, Spagnuolo said for now it was about getting settled in and continuing to help everyone succeed.
“I’ll play a role in the program in helping the players develop and give the staff every opportunity to succeed.
“I don’t want to come in half way through the season and make too many changes. I’m learning how the program is and learning from people in the club and AFL and seeing the boys and girls through to the draft.”
Spagnuolo said he was keen to get the Cannons back to where they should be, one of the strongest football regions.
“We’re going to look to build on what we do,” he said.
“The exciting part is how strong the talent coming through this area is. Not just this season, but the next couple of seasons.
“It’s an exciting time. We want the two teams to have fun and continue to develop.”
Tara Murray
