Former Stawell Warrior Kyle Hendy will take over as head coach of Navarre’s senior football team for the 2018 Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League season.
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Hendy takes over from Jayden Fowkes who has stepped as coach but will continue on at the club.
Fowkes said he was unable to commit to the role due to “personal reasons”.
“I have a fair bit going on this year so I just wasn’t able to say definitely that I could coach again,” he said.
“I will be there whenever I can and continue to help as much as I can.”
Hendy brings a great deal of quality football experience to the role. He was part of the North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup squad and was in contention to be drafted into the AFL.
The former Stawell and North Ballarat footballer said he is excited to take over.
“A few of my mates play out there and hinted at the idea so I thought it was something I should do,” he said.
“Hopefully I can bring a few fresh ideas and probably look at changing up training and things like that.”
Fowkes said he thinks Hendy is perfect for the role.
A few players have left but there is still a core group here
- New Navarre coach Kyle Hendy
“Another young guy taking over is what is needed for the group I think – he will be great for it,” he said.
“He has been nearly at the top so he knows what it takes to be successful and I am sure he will come in and bring those high standards.”
Hendy comes to the role mainly in a coaching capacity. He has spent the last three years recovering from a serious back injury which required him to have a spinal fusion.
Although having recovered from his injury, Hendy said it is “unlikely” he will play this year.
“I probably won’t play even though I have recovered,” he said.
“I haven’t played footy in about three years now.”
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The last six months have been far from ideal for the Grasshoppers who have lost a core group of players after their shock grand final loss to Carisbrook back in September.
Best and fairest winner Josh Fowkes, leading goal kicker Cody Driscoll and ruckman Ben Martin are among some of the players who have moved in the off-season. Hendy said while it will be a challenge to fill the holes those players leave he believes his squad is still strong enough to compete and win games.
“A few players have left but there is still a core group here,” he said.
“I will try and get everyone back up and going. There is still fire in the belly of most of the players I have spoken to and they want to get back and make up for the grand final loss.”
Fowkes said he thinks the player losses will create a good opportunity for Navarre’s younger players.
“It will be good for a few of those young guys to get a lot more senior experience under their belt,” he said.
“They had a taste of it last year which will give them a better understanding of what lies ahead this year.
“It might be a good reality check for us.”
The Grasshoppers begin training this week.