EDFL: Airport West coach Jimmy House scores role with Sandringham
Essendon District Football League outfit Airport West is on the hunt for a new coach, with Jimmy House securing a position at state league level. But he is keen to stay involved with the club.
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Airport West is searching for a new coach with Jimmy House landing a role at VFL level.
House has secured a line coaching position at Sandringham and will also work with the club’s AFL-affiliate St Kilda.
The 34-year-old took over the top job at the Essendon District Football League Division 1 outfit before the 2020 campaign, but has exited as coach without leading the Eagles in an official match after the season was scrapped.
But House said he was keen to stay involved with Airport West as he prepares to work under former Richmond defender Jake Batchelor at Sandringham.
He missed out on a job at a higher level before linking up with the Eagles in October last year.
House led North Heidelberg to a preliminary final in his only season at the helm of the top-flight Northern league club in 2018 and was named the AFL Victoria Coach of the Year (northern region).
He resigned from the top job in January 2019 because of personal reasons and was a senior assistant coach of the NFL’s interleague team last year.
“I’m a realist, I’ve never played the game at the elite level and there is a perception within the coaching fraternity that you’ve had to have played the game at an elite level to progress further,” House said.
“I’ve put my head down … and really focused on developing myself and my understanding of the game, build the networks I needed to to strengthen my application.
“To progress to where I’m at now, it’s 10 years of hard work and I’m stoked.
“I’m really looking forward to the next chapter of continuing to grow as a coach.”
Airport West said in a statement that House had “developed the senior group enormously” during his time at the club.
He has committed to helping the senior squad transition to life under a new mentor and wants to maintain a role.
“A lot will depend on who the coach is in terms of the input I have. A new coach might come in and not want me around,” House said.
“From my perspective, if it’s someone I know and have a good relationship with, I’ll continue to guide the boys.
“I’m not walking away in any capacity. I started something and I promised the guys I’d see it through, but at the same time, I’ve got to grab these opportunities as they come across my desk. The club was fully supportive.”
The Eagles were set to enter 2020 among the leading flag contenders after they were relegated from Premier Division the previous year.
House said the next coach would inherit a “really exciting young list” with “huge” upside.
“A lot of work’s gone into the culture – I’ve been big on the culture – and the boys are in a lot better position,” he said.
“The feedback from the boys and the support has been overwhelming.
“It’s a fantastic footy club. Airport West does things the right way and promotes from within with their kids. They’ve got a lot of integrity.”
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