Club News
Club appoints new coach
6 August 2007
The Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers have appointed a new head coach as they try to work their way back to Division One in Baseball Victoria’s State League.
Former Malvern and Doncaster head coach Phil Bertrand will take over the reigns from Victorian third-baseman Ben Utting for the 2007/2008 season after a complete review of all the Clubs functions by its committee following a disappointing third placed finish in division two last season.
“We’re looking forward to the additional time commitments that Phil can bring to the club,” Tigers President Bob Ayres said. “We were really looking for a club coach rather than just a senior coach and we feel that Phil brings the total package to the club.”
Ayres was also quick to point out that the change is no reflection on Utting’s abilities as a coach, rather a recognition that his family and work commitments will no longer allow him to meet the clubs time requirements for the role.“Ben was appointed as a life member recently and we value his continued involvement in the club,” he said.
After five seasons as the Head Coach of the Doncaster Dragons in which he oversaw the clubs rise from division three to division one, Bertrand enters the job with the goal of helping the Tigers achieve the same feat.“There is a pang of regret about leaving Doncaster. When I got there the club was a bit of a basket case on and off the field,” He said. “I’d like to think that I’ve had a small part in helping turn that around to where they are now so not being there for that first game back in division one is a little disappointing.” “But now all my efforts will go towards ensuring Upwey reaches the same place.”
Bertrand wants to bring a different focus to Upwey, one that will see a greater emphasis on junior development and promotion from within. “Too many clubs have a club coach who only looks after the firsts and seconds,” he said. “The worst player in the lowest team deserves just as much of the club coaches time as the best player in the firsts.” “They all deserve attention and that’s something I want to bring to Upwey”
For Bertrand, the strong junior system and emerging youth coming through the senior sides was a major attraction. “Upwey are a young club. All my coaching experience has been taking young teams and nurturing them.” “They have a strong junior structure that encourages promotion from within and that more than anything is what appealed to me.”
As for his goals for the club, Bertrand is happy to use the old ‘sporting clichés’ but wasn’t pulling any punches when it comes to placing expectations on the playing group. “Obviously we’re looking to take it one day at a time but given were the club finished last year, finishing on top of the ladder for the regular season, anything less than a grand final appearance this year will be considered a failure.”