EFNL 2021: Pioneers split with coach Brad Taws

Whitehorse is on the hunt for a new coach on the eve of the Eastern league season, following a split with mentor Brad Taws.

Whitehorse captain Tom Connell. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The Whitehorse Pioneers are on the hunt for a new senior coach just two weeks out from the start of the Eastern league season.

The Division 3 outfit has parted ways with mentor Brad Taws, who landed the head coaching job in September 2019, but was yet to coach an official match due to the 2020 season cancellation.

Brad Taws and Whitehorse have parted ways.

Assistant coach Duncan Jones has stepped in as caretaker while the club hunts a full-time replacement.

Whitehorse president Alan Bertacco said “differing views” had led to the difficult decision to part ways with Taws.

“The club philosophically had a particular direction it wanted to go, and we had differing views on that,” Bertacco said.

“The club is looking at suitable candidates ready to take over what is an existing side ready to go.

“It was a difficult decision but one that was made in the best interests of the club and all concerned.”

Taws expressed he was “disappointed” at the decision which he “didn’t see coming”, after he believes the improvement among the playing group had been vast in his 18-month tenure.

“I had a good playing group that I respected and had a lot of time for, and I could see the improvement from day-dot up until my last session at the club,” he said.

Taws had previously re-committed to the club for 2021, which had retained a bevy of star names, headlined by captain Tom Connell, vice-captain Michael McDougall, former skipper Mav Gleed, Damian Bertacco, Daniel Mendes and Jayson Fabris.

Star goalkicker Andrew Padbury also landed back at the club, among other key inclusions slated to lift it from its sixth-placed finish to 2019.

The Whitehorse Pioneers begin their campaign away to East Burwood on April 10 in a night clash.