Hill End appoint Smit
Hill End Football Netball Club have appointed experienced coach Paul Smit for the 2016 Mid Gippsland Football League season.
Smit is a strong pick-up for Hill End and brings a wealth of experience to the club, with a successfull career spanning 30 years as player and coach.
He has coached the Chelsea Heights and Somerville senior football teams in suburban Melbourne, along with stints as Reserves coach at Chelsea Heights and Seaford.
Most recently, he coached under 19s at Chelsea Heights in 2013-14.
As a player, Smit was drafted to Sydney Swans in 1990 with pick 15.
He played full back for Springvale in the VFA for four years, notched up 60 reserves and under 19 games for Melbourne and captained the All Australian team in the Teal Cup in the under 17s.
The Hillmen hope Smit will help turn the fortunes of the club, which struggled this year after senior coach Brad Sinclair walked out unexpectedly just five weeks before the start of the season.
Player and former coach Phil Town then stepped into the role to provide stability, but the team was behind from the start.
Smit said he was attracted to the role at Hill End because it was a challen ge.
“Iknow a lot of people in footy circles and I’ve heard good reports about Hill End,” he said.
“I keep hearing that the people aroung the club are really good, but they’ve had no (recent) success on the field. “I’m hoping to help change that (lack of success). “I believe that with my experience I can bring a new culture to the field.
“It will be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it and seeing whether the players are willing to jump onboard.”
Smit said his aim was to drive improvement across the club, amongst both players and coaching staff, including himself.
“I know Hill End has a group of really loyal local players, and a young group of promising footballers in the fourths,” he said.
“If we can bring some new players into the club as well and everyone is willing to put in, success will come.”
Current and prospective players have the chance to meet Smit at the club on Friday, November 13 at 6pm, where he will outline his plans for pre-season and 2016.
Hill End’s football pre-season will begin on Monday, November 16 and will run Monday and Wednesday nights from 6pm for a month before breaking for Christmas.