League steps in for Tigers
AFL Cairns have created, and will fund, a new position to help competition battlers North Cairns end their cycle of mediocrity.
The league’s board last week approved for the Tigers to employ a full-time football manager, with the aim of lifting them from the doldrums of the senior’s ladder.
“We do not want to see one of our foundation clubs at the crossroads, we want the club to survive and keep going,” AFL Cairns football manager Craig Lees said.
The Tigers struggles made national headlines earlier this month when they were pumped by 402 points by Port Douglas.
AFL Cairns have created, and will fund, a new position to help competition battlers North Cairns end their cycle of mediocrity.
The league’s board last week approved funding to be provided to the Tigers to employ a full-time football manager at the club with an aim of lifting them from the doldrums of the seniors ladder.
The other Far North clubs in the competition were informed of the new move last night at an AFL Cairns presidents’ meeting.
The position will be funded by the league for two seasons with an option of being extended for a third season.
Competition boss Gary Young met with senior Tigers officials earlier this year to gauge where the club was and to find out where league headquarters could offer the Watsons Oval-based club help.
The two parties landed on a full-time football manager.
“We do not want to see one of our foundation clubs at the cross roads, we want the club to survive and keep going,” AFL Cairns football manager Craig Lees said.
“From a league perspective, it is really important to do what we can to help.
“That is why this role has been created and approved by the board.
“If we keep doing the same thing, we will keep getting the same results. We need to change something for the betterment of the football club.
“There are good people involved at North Cairns’ football club, but we need someone that can assume the roles of a footy manager, and the committee can focus on the committee’s roles.”
Former St Kilda footballer Glen Coghlan is in his first season coaching North.
The Tigers’ struggles made national headlines earlier this month when they were pumped by 402 points by Port Douglas.
North Cairns have struggled with playing numbers for much of 2019, forfeiting a number of games, but fielded a team in their most recent game against Cairns City Lions.
“We need to ensure that kids at North have a pathway,” Lees said.
While the men’s side of the club have struggled for years, the Tigers’ ladies’ team are the envy of the competition, sitting at the top of the ladder with a 11-2 record this season.