Tigers explore all options
Acombination of promoting professionalism, pride and representative responsibilities and using the latest information available to improve fitness and skill development and direction underpins a Nhill approach to Wimmera Football league this year.
Tigers coach Jaye Macumber said a united approach from all involved in Nhill District Sporting Club was essential for football teams to experience success.
He said the club was much more than a group of footballers and instead flew the banner for a town and the district.
“A big part of Nhill’s approach to the 2020 season is recognising a need to be proud to be playing at Nhill and wearing the jumper in front of family, friends and community,” he said.
“We want to grow a fresh sense of district solidarity where it is something special to wear the Tiger on your chest.
“Having a united club is everything and for us it’s ensuring the netballers, hockey players, cricketers and footballers are all on board working for the town and community who can feel proud to watch and support them. And with the footballers, if we can honestly get the playing group and all involved believing that, then we’re already halfway there and the success will come.”
Macumber is a student of the game. He has gone to great lengths to gain as much insight as possible through various coaching, team-building and leadership programs.
It appears obvious he wants to pour what he has garnered from his experiences into Davis Park and help Nhill increase its ability to match league pacesetters.
Last year the Tigers, despite at times being competitive against quality opposition and having good leadership, finished on the bottom of the ladder.
“As a coach I don’t think it’s acceptable to just turn up, do the same thing and expect a different result,” Macumber said.
“So we’re looking at the season as a whole. We’re inviting back former players who experienced good results in the past and can pass on stories about what it takes to be successful.
“What we already know is that when we make the finals the whole town and district gets buzzing.”
Macumber arranged a pre-season camp at the weekend that included a mix of elements he believes are required to get the best out of a playing group.
Guests leading sessions included CBH Fitness director Adrian Rodrigues, who Macumber had connections with through his AFL Next Coach mentor and former Essendon player David Flood, and wellbeing advisor Aaron Schultz.
Personal-development organisation Leading Teams, which provides support for AFL clubs and Leadership Wimmera programs, will also run a session at the club in March.
Macumber said the approach was recognition of the changing dynamics of getting the best out of everyone involved in a footy club.
“And it’s not just the players. Everyone is as important as everyone else in the roles they play – from the bloke filling up water bottles on training nights to the biggest-name recruits,” he said.
Macumber said the club had been training since October and had ramped up activities in January.
“So far so good. A lot of focus has been keeping locals or attracting them back and we’ve been getting 25 to 30 on the track,” he said.
“We have Jordan Zeitz coming back from Mt Gambier, Eric Brereton is coming with assistant coach Fraser Driscoll from North Adelaide in a car with Brady Alexander, and Michael Smith is travelling up from Ballarat.
“At this stage we’re also exploring the potential of getting three talented young players from Papua New Guinea who have impressed while playing in Queensland.
“Ed Pritchard is returning after playing in Portland and we expect younger guys such as Drew Schneider, Jarrod Dahlenburg, Darcy Honeyman and Angus Wheaton, to take on extra responsibilities this year.
“The playing group has set goals around playing finals and I’m happy to support that – you don’t play and coach to make up numbers.
“We’re doing game-sense and drills, working out the best ways to attack and defend, and importantly, the footies have been out since day one.”
Nhill has practice matches planned throughout March and April.