FORMER coach Derrick Filo believes Kyneton must address its culture as the starting point in getting players back to the club.
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Filo coached the Tigers for the past two years – including in a co-coaching role with Nathan Thompson last year – while he also guided the club to its 1995 and 1997 premierships.
Both Filo and Thompson stood down after last season, and since then the club has endured a mass exodus of senior quality players, which has forced the Tigers to withdrawal their senior team from the Bendigo Football League this year.
“I’m disappointed that it has come to this, but the reality is the problems stem from the culture at the club,” Filo said yesterday.
“I’ve heard talk of going to the Riddell league, but if the club can get the culture right, then I’ve got no doubt it can be a very competitive club in the BFL.
“But if they can’t get the culture right, then they won’t be competing in any league.”
While the Tigers won’t be competing at senior level this year, Filo is optimistic about a return in 2014.
Filo indicated that while he wouldn’t return as coach, he would be happy to assist the club this year get its senior team back.
“They’ve got six or seven months to get things right looking ahead to next year,” Filo said.
“If they can put in place structures to build that culture up, then the club can be very competitive in Bendigo.
“I am looking at the positives in that this gives the club an opportunity to come back bigger and better.
“There is an amazing supporter base, the financial capacity to compete in the BFL and talented young players, but they need to change the current culture to utilise these strengths.
“We need to start planning right away around implementing structures that will enable us to field competitive football and netball teams in 2014.
“We will have the best junior numbers we have ever had, and there is a number of junior players I have seen who have the ability to become top players, so for now our focus must be on helping these kids maximise their talent.”
Meanwhile, Filo’s co-coach last year, Thompson, voiced his disappointment on twitter yesterday.
“Very sad day for Kyneton FNC with no senior football team for 2013. Hope juniors and netball play on.”