Resilient Tigers continue to rebuild
For historic Horsham District league club Pimpinio, team leaders are likely to measure success this year with simple progress and improvement.
The Tigers are in the second year of a profound rebuilding program and are heavily targeting a promising junior build-up to consolidate the club’s future.
Pimpinio struggled in tough circumstances in senior ranks last year, but insiders are confident the side is set for major improvements this year.
Club president Danny Hamerston said the Tigers had recruited well, welcoming new faces and former players back into the fold who would offset the loss of others who were either pursuing a higher level of the game in Wimmera league or had moved away.
Of particular note among the list of newcomers is 200-plus centimetre ruckman Lachie Hurst, who has a strong basketball background.
Mr Hamerston added the club was excited with the coaching appointment of Nathan Sachse, set to bring a wealth of experience gleaned from both Horsham District and Wimmera leagues.
“He brings a fresh approach to training and is going to challenge the players more mentally than ever before,” he said.
“The club is investing heavily in our junior program to capitalise on the many top-age under-17 players and our super-talented bottom-age players from last year’s under-14 premiership team.
“We have had them training under the guidance of Nathan and will continue to do so.
“To complement Nathan our under-17s coach Brett Thompson has many years of experience in senior and junior football and will ensure we develop our juniors into senior footballers.
“At the same time, our under-14s will remain strong under the direction of Damien Avery, with many talented players in the group.”
Mr Hamerston said Pimpinio fans could expect the club to be competitive across the board this season.
“Our aim is to keep investing in our juniors and add some quality players to complement the list,” he said.
“We would anticipate that we will finish in the bottom half of the ladder, but our loyal fans can expect to see a vast improvement going into 2019.”
Mr Hamerston said player numbers for football and netball were generally good, but the club gladly welcomed any new members.
“Like most clubs, we have a dedicated core of volunteers who do a wonderful job to help the club operate, but we aren’t by any means inundated with them,” he said.
“This is an issue for all clubs, or will be in the future.”
Mr Hamerston encouraged parents, players and members, ‘new or old’, to support the Tigers in 2018.
“Get behind your club and take some ownership so you can enjoy it for years to come,” he said.
Pimpinio’s seniors finished bottom last year, its seconds eighth and its under-17s ninth.
But the club won broad respect for how it was fostering its under-14 group, which won 15 or 16 home-andaway games and ultimately clinched a premiership.
Pimpinio has solid financial backing from a lengthy list of sponsors.
Mr Hamerston said the club enjoyed strong financial support from an established list of sponsors with Ahrens signing on for another three-year deal and new Horsham business Cellarbrations also guaranteeing three years worth of support.