Sturt is searching for a new SANFLW coach after inaugural mentor Danijel Herbut steps down
Two SANFLW clubs are now searching for new coaches following the departure of Sturt mentor Danijel Herbut. The Double Blues hope to appointment a replacement by the end of the month.
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Sturt is searching for a new senior women’s coach after parting ways with inaugural mentor Danijel Herbut.
Herbut had held the reins for the past two years but decided to step down ahead of next season, citing time constraints.
He said the SANFL was in preliminary discussions about extending the women’s competition beyond 10 rounds and he simply would not have enough time to spend coaching.
But the 30-year-old was still set to be involved with the state under-16 girls’ program.
“I still play footy with Plympton in division three and I found it really difficult to fit everything in – personal life, work, my footy and then the women’s footy,” Herbut said.
“With the potential of the season going longer and more into the winter months (next year) I couldn’t foresee myself to being able to fully commit.
“It’s so professional now with vision having to be cut and the girls having to do so much more now in regards to their footy program, so for me not to be able to give my time isn’t fair on the group.
“I really enjoyed coaching the group and there’s good signs with the young girls coming through.
“But for their development, this was the best decision.”
Herbut was appointed Double Blues’ coach ahead of the 2018 SANFLW season and led them to five wins and 15 losses across the two campaigns.
Sturt football manager Chris Trapp hoped the club would have a new women’s coach by the end of this month.
“We were happy with Danijel but I think it just came down to a time-management thing,” Trapp said.
“We’ve spread the job application out there in the football community.
“We have a few names on our list that we’d like to approach and speak to as well.
“We are looking for someone who can drive elite standards and strong leadership as well as individual player development and education.
“They are a very young group and unfortunately they had a few close losses (this year) in games we thought we probably could’ve won.
“We feel if we can keep that really young group going through together and developing there will be a lot of success around the corner.”
Sturt now joins Norwood in searching for a new women’s coach.
Redlegs mentor Steve Symonds was appointed senior coach of Collingwood’s AFLW side last month.
