RDFL 2019: Macedon coach Ben Tankard appointed as new interleague boss

The Riddell District Football League will have a new man at the helm for its interleague clash against the Southern Football Netball League this year.

Ben Tankard will call the shots for the RDFL interleague team. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Riddell District Football League will have a new man at the helm for its interleague clash against the Southern Football Netball League this year.

Ben Tankard, who is in his second year in charge at RDFL finalist Macedon, said he was excited by the prospect of coaching some of the best players the league has in its ranks.

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“I am very passionate about showcasing the Riddell District Football Netball League and trying to climb the rankings again this season,” he said.

“There are some really good footballers running around in this league and hopefully we can get a lot of those players on the park and show everyone how strong the league is.”

Macedon reached the preliminary final in 2018, its first season with Tankard at the helm, losing to premier Diggers Rest by two points.

Tankard has had a distinguished career in football, having coached and played for several years.

He has held coaching positions at Taylors Lakes, Birchip-Watchem and Doutta Stars, while the highlight of his playing career was being chosen by Vic Metro as a junior

RDFNL football operations manager Jordan Doyle was elated to have Tankard on board.

“He brings a wealth of experience to the role from his playing days and as a coach, and we are confident that he will do a great job,” Doyle said.

“We face a big challenge against the SFNL who are a strong and proud league with a rich history, and we hope that Ben’s appointment will encourage the best players across the RDFNL competition to be involved in the 2019 senior interleague campaign.”

Tankard takes over from Arron Bray, who led the side to two wins in the past two years.

The RDFNL will host the contest at a venue yet to be decided.

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