EDFL: Glenn McIntyre steps down from Jacana coaching position

Glenn McIntyre, the man who has led Jacana since it came out of recess, has stood down as coach reflecting on the club’s continued rebuild.

The last three years Glenn McIntyre has spent with Jacana might be his proudest.

That’s even including his 1999 senior best and fairest along with the 2000 Riddell District Football League premiership.

But picking his beloved Jags off the canvas is something he will never forget.

When McIntyre was appointed senior coach in 2019, the club was at its lowest point after pulling the plug in May of that year.

He was initially appointed to coach the under-18.5s team.

A lack of numbers saw him promoted to the top job.

Two years earlier, the Jaguars were celebrating the 2017 Essendon District Football League Division 2 premiership.

Glenn McIntyre has stood down as Jacana coach. Picture: Jamie Morey

He remained hopeful they’d field senior teams in 2020, then Covid wiped out the season.

When 2021 rolled around, Jacana was regularly on the end of some of the heaviest defeats in Victorian local footy.

McIntyre went again in 2022, a season where the Jags showed remarkable improvement, but now he’s ready to hang up the board.

“It’s been a hard slog,” McIntyre says of the last three years.

“I’ve been lucky to have great support from people around the club but most notably the committee. I’ve been involved at Jacana since I was in school and I love the place.

“I started coaching to keep the club going and didn’t think it would go on for this long. It’s been a rewarding experience.”

Jacana’s Dean Broumis. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Despite only fielding a senior side in 2022, the Jaguars showed plenty of promise.

Losing margins significantly dropped while they also won their first quarter of footy in almost four years against Burnside Heights.

“The improvement form this group has been great,” McIntyre said.

“We’ve had a core nucleus of players who have been with us for the past few seasons and they’ve continued to put in the hard yards and get the best out of themselves.

“Trying to attract players to the club has always been hard especially with very little money. But we’ve managed to find guys who wanted more senior opportunities away from clubs in higher divisions.

“If they can stay together there’s no doubt we’ll see Jacana move up the ladder in the short-term future.”

Jacana’s Ryan Mcconnell. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Now McIntyre plans to spend more time with his children and watching their own sporting adventures.

“I’ll be watching their games instead of reviewing our own games or opposition matches,” he said.

His advice for the next Jacana coach, with the position still being advertised, is simple.

“It’s ripe for the picking,” he said.

“The next person will have a great opportunity to work with a great bunch of kids. With the right guidance and mentoring there’s no doubt they can take the right steps forward.

“The club is on the improve and I’m looking forward to watching them grow.”