Winnis Imbi to be named as coach of Westerns Football Club

Former Port Fairy coach Winis Imbi has revealed his latest coaching move.

Former Port Fairy coach Winis Imbi will be the new coach of Westerns Football Netball Club in 2023.

After coaching Port Fairy for the past two years in the Hampden Football Netball League, Imbi says the move to Portland in the South West District Football League will present one of the biggest challenges of his career.

Under Imbi’s reign Port Fairy struggled this season, not winning a game, and also being forced to forfeit a match.

Port Fairy’s Dylan Herbertson in 2017. Winis Imbi has left as coach of the Hampden Football Netball League club to move to Westerns Football Netball Club. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Imbi said the coaching experience taught him a lot of lessons.

“I will say that despite the struggles for wins I learnt about the value of developing genuine relationships and investing in people, not just a footy player,” he said.

It’s a learning he hopes to take into his new role.

Westerns also struggled in 2022, finishing in last position after tasting victory just the once.

In 14 games the team lost by 100 points or more, including in all of their last seven games to close the season.

In reserves, Westerns played just six games before forfeiting the season without winning a game.

“The club really struggled to field a senior and reserves side last year so we are coming from a long way back,” Imbi revealed.

“There would have been easier gigs out there, but they need help.”

And Imbi wants to make sure he can do his bit to help.

“The committee and playing group have been humbled by what has happened, but they are determined to be better,” he said.

“This one will be an interesting journey, but it’s something that we’ll do together as building this club will be much bigger than me.”

Imbi’s old club, Port Fairy, have wasted no time in hiring their coach for 2023 with Dustin McCorkell taking over.

McCorkell is a former captain of Warrnambool Football Netball Club and was also named as captain in the 2011 team of the year for the Hampden Football League.