Craig Hayes to step down as coach of Diamond Creek at season’s end
After five years and a heart-breaking promotion near-miss, Craig Hayes has decided to step down as Diamond Creek coach at the end of the season but he’s still got a finals fight on his hands.
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Diamond Creek is searching for a new coach with Craig Hayes to step down at the end of the season.
Hayes has led the Creekers since 2015, guiding to club to the 2017 NFL Division 2 grand final, where it went down to a Brent Harvey-led North Heidelberg.
The respected coach felt it was the right time to move on after five years in the top job.
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“I love the playing group, it’s just a good time for me to say ‘thank you’ and step down,” he said.
“I hope and pray that they get a really good person who can take them the next step in their development.
“We’ve had a really good five years — we’ve still got a few weeks to go — and I wanted to give the club the best opportunity to go out and find the best person for the job.
“It was all my decision … I’ve loved my time at Diamond Creek. It is a great football club full of fantastic people.”
The Creekers have contested finals in two of Hayes’ four complete seasons and are battling with Thomastown for a top-four spot this year.
Diamond Creek face the Bears in a season-defining clash on Saturday at Coventry Oval.
Hayes said family commitments were also a major factor in his decision.
“I stopped playing in 2008 and started coaching in 2009, so I haven’t had a break of football,” he said.
“I’m still loving what I’m doing at Diamond Creek, but it’s just a time commitment.
“My daughter is playing senior football, so I don’t get to see her play very often, my oldest boy now plays under-19s at Heidelberg and my youngest son plays under-17s.”
Diamond Creek president Tom Rogneda paid tribute to Hayes’ “outstanding service”.
“Craig’s been with us for five years and he’s been sensational,” he said.
“He got us to a grand final that we might have won under normal circumstances.
“It was just unfortunate that one of the greatest players to play the game in Brent Harvey was delisted by North Melbourne and went to North Heidelberg.”
Applications are open to coaching hopefuls with nominations closing on August 23.
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