Having spent a year with the Coburg women’s program, new Women’s senior coach Tom Chitsos has felt right at home.
Following a season as an Assistant/Midfield coach Chitsos was announced as the women’s coach in early October immediately following the departure of inaugural women’s coach Liam Cavanagh.
Chitsos recently said that whilst he was surprised about getting the job initially he has thoroughly enjoyed his time in the women’s program.
“I was a little bit self-conscious at first whether I was ready for a step like that, to be involved with such a big local program,” Chitsos said.
“But really quickly I blended in really well, the girls are a fantastic bunch and they’re extremely welcoming along with everybody else at the club.”
Last season saw him spend much time with Cavanagh, saying that he learnt many things with whom he considered a mentor.
“He was a very invested person and always took his own time out to really make sure that everybody else was feeling like they were getting the most out of their job.
“We had multiple one-on-one review meetings just between us two to see how I was tracking and as a whole coaching group we would do the same thing.
“That’s definitely something I’m trying to pick up on and having consistent communication with all of my coaches and the players”.
The women’s program’s preseason is well and truly underway, with many of the women impressing Chitsos so far.
Majority of the players from last year have signed on, with Chitsos impressed by three leaders of the group so far.
“Amy Mitchener, Amy Duguid, Claire Cashman, they were all really standing out as girls that were attending every session and really trying to take up a leadership (role)…
“It’s good to see that they’re really taking that on board and with their experience of being within our system for a year they can really guide the new and younger girls onto what our standards and expectations are.”
Some of the new recruits have also impressed Chitsos since the beginning of preseason.
“There’s been some new ones we’ve signed in the past week who have been training with us for a few weeks. Natalie Todaro and Sheridan Bennett have been really, really impressive and we’re rapt that they decided to sign.
“Some of the girls that we’ve had teed up before Christmas in Jemma Laffey, Bree Unthank and Emily Balaburov have been awesome as well.”
This coming season will be the first for the Coburg women’s in the VAFA Premier competition after two seasons in the South East Women’s League, with Chitsos excited about making the move to a more local league.
“It’s a very high standard of footy and being admitted straight into the Premier Division of both the reserves and senior competitions it’s fantastic for us to be mixing it up with the best of the best straight away.
“We’re really looking forward to the challenge and our aspirations are to go one step better than what we did last year. Two premierships are our aim, but then again whether we get that or not it won’t determine the success we have this season.
“We want to build an environment where the girls are gonna be challenged, that they’re gonna thrive and continue to improve in their own development and hopefully with that comes great results.”
By Joshua Ward
Coburg FC Media
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