Coming into the position of Head Coach at the North Cairns Tigers Football and Netball Club (the same club that I grew up with and learnt my trade from many years ago), I had a vision of implementing small changes in operations at North Cairns. I wanted to see North Cairns head in the direction of becoming a successful and influential club within the Cairns community once again. With a very young developing group we set out a plan and commitment for the 2011 year; we would develop our talented young players at North Cairns and prepare them for senior football, along with bringing in a new and enthusiastic committee. With Grant Hartwig and the new Club Sponsor Mystyle Homes signing on for the 2011 season, the future was looking brighter than ever. Another exciting prospect was the new North Cairns Tigers Netball Club developed by girls within the football club including Alisha Adams, Rhegan Hartwig and Leanna Hosking. This new addition created an enthusiasm within the club, which brought with it key elements of more members, a stronger culture and promoting our club in a new environment off the field.
The pre season training schedule started well and numbers prior to Christmas were encouraging. After Christmas we started to implement changes in the way we trained and the way we prepared ourselves. With new additions to the playing group in Jayme Morris (Brisbane), Craig Kelmar (WA), Brad Jorgensen (Canada), and Shaun Fitzpatrick (Country Vic), we added football experience and knowledge into our young, growing list.
The start of the 2011 season came upon us quickly, and we saw several key players becoming injured at the wrong time, with 6 out of our starting 22 players missing the first game of the season against the Saints. Although three out of our first four games brought with them 100 point losses, the feeling at the club was upbeat and the young group were eager and keen to learn.
We finished the season with six wins from our 21 matches and showed massive improvement. We had important wins over Centrals and Souths and exciting games where we pushed finalists Port Douglas to a nine point loss at Watsons Oval and Grand Finalists Saints to a close contest going down in the last quarter by 27pts. Our main area we fell down in was being able to sustain the pressure and concentration required over four quarters. It was not that we were unfit because in many cases we finished off the game winning our second halves. Although some people in the CAFL football community might say that the inconsistency can be put down to inexperience and having such a young side, the players will not use this as an excuse, and are looking forward to the 2012 season and coming back fitter and stronger. In season 2011 we had 14 U16 / U18 players debut in senior football and we look forward to seeing their continued development in 2012. Congratulations to Brendan Tennick for taking out the Best & Fairest. After finishing runner up in previous years, the leader of the club came through with a consistent season.
I would like to thank Grant and Heather Hartwig and Mystyle Homes for their fantastic support in 2011. I would also like to thank all involved with the club on the ground and behind the scenes, for their continued support throughout the year. Especially to all of the players, the trainers Meri and Michelle, Team Manager “League Volunteer of the Year” Horse through to the hard working committee led by Brett Potter, the President, Rick Hanlon, Vice President and a special thankyou to Kim Tennick for her long hours working to sort teams, and completing numerous other tasks for game day on Saturday. I look forward to working with you all in the upcoming season as we surge forward together.
Kane Richter
Club Head Coach – 0407 045 171
