Doyle keen to build from within
Developing and retaining future club leaders while helping guide the senior football side back up the ranks is a driving force behind incoming Laharum senior coach Glenn Doyle.
Doyle, who brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the role, is looking forward to building on ‘solid bonds’ he created during his three-year stint at the Horsham District league club.
A key position player, Doyle finished his playing career with the Demons in 2009.
He said he was excited to take on the senior coaching role for 2022 and 2023 after being handed the reins by experienced leader Shannon Argall.
Argall, who has stepped down due to family and work commitments, will remain at the club in a playing capacity.
“I’m grateful to the club for this opportunity,” Doyle said.
“I think I understand the situation the club is in and I know there’s some hard work to be done, but I’m excited to take over and help develop these young men into the next generation of football leaders.”
Doyle said he believed his extensive football knowledge and ability to teach players certain positions as part of a wider game plan would be among his coaching assets. He spent three years playing for Port Melbourne in the VFA-VFL before moving to the Wimmera, where he spent nine years with Horsham Saints, including stints as assistant coach and later, senior coach.
He then took on a playing coach role at Hamilton before finishing his playing career at Cameron Oval.
“Throughout that time at Laharum I built some solid relationships which I look forward to continuing,” Doyle said.
After retiring, Doyle tried his hand at field umpiring as his sons John and Thomas evolved through Horsham’s junior program in Wimmera league.
“As they’ve grown up and gone onto boarding school and spread their wings, I’ve been travelling to watch them play,” Doyle said.
“This next chapter is exciting, because I think Thomas, my youngest son, will play for Laharum next year, which will be great.”
Doyle said he had spent the past few days working the phones as he looked to shore up the playing list while ‘soaking up information like a sponge’.
He said he was thrilled to retain Argall, who was a key player in the Demons’ 2013 premiership and coached the side to a flag in 2015.
“To have someone who has coached as long as he has and had the success that he’s had, in our playing group and on the field – I can’t put a value on it to be honest,” he said.
“We’re also in the process of talking to several potential players, which we will hopefully have more information about soon.”
The Demons finished 10th in 2021 and Doyle said he was under no illusions about the amount of work to be done as he looked to help the senior side progress back up the ladder.
“It will be quite an exercise, but I’m hoping to be able to keep those young guys coming through while enticing a few more to the club,” he said.
“I’m buoyed by a lot of off-field stuff, such as people putting up their hands to take on supporting roles. Hopefully that will help generate some enthusiasm and positivity as we start the long trek back up the ladder.”
Defender Brett Ervin will be Doyle’s playing assistant coach in 2022.
“He’s super keen to get his teeth into the role and I’ve heard nothing but great reports,” Doyle said.
“I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Laharum will start pre-season training following the Christmas-new year break.
“Pre-season is relatively short – you’ve usually only got about 12 weeks – but I believe the groundwork for a season can be laid in that time,” Doyle said.
“You can definitely have yourself ready and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Laharum football director Hamish Roberts said Doyle’s signing had already generated plenty of excitement at the club.
“Glenn has a wealth of experience and knowledge through a successful career playing and coaching at high levels of football, including at Port Melbourne, Horsham Saints and Hamilton before finishing his playing career at Laharum,” he said.
“He will bring to the role quality communication skills, attention to detail, professionalism and a hunger for success.”