TAC Cup: Calder Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte’s legacy lauded

SYDNEY Swans great Jude Bolton has led the tributes to outgoing Calder Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte after his decade-long tenure at the TAC Cup club came to an end.

Ian Kyte (right) poses during a shoot to promote the renaming of Craigieburn’s Highgate Reserve as Rams Arena. Picture: Josie Hayden

SYDNEY Swans great Jude Bolton has led the tributes to outgoing Calder Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte after his decade-long tenure at the TAC Cup club came to an end.

Kyte signed off on a successful era at the Cannons on October 31 after 10 years of service which included TAC Cup premierships in 2009 and 2010 and a TAC Cup Girls flag in 2017.

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AFL players including Cam Guthrie, Dion Prestia, Joe Daniher, Brandon Ellis, Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore were drafted from Calder while Kyte was at the helm.

Bolton, who was drafted from the Cannons in 1998, took to social media to label Kyte a “legend” of the club.

Ian Kyte quietly signed off after 10 years as @CalderCannonsFC talent manager on Oct 31. I haven't posted anything as I doubted he'd want the attention. He's been an incredible mentor to hundreds of footballers from Melb's north west and overseen a proud era of draftees.

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) November 7, 2018

A club statement read: “During this time Ian has played a major role mentoring not only players to reach their dreams but has helped many staff fulfil and reach their dreams.”

The Cannons said the role had been “not a job to Ian, but a passion.”

“His philosophy was all about the boys and girls who came through the program and to help them not only reach the pinnacle of being drafted but also being the best they can be,” the club said.

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Former AFL Victoria north west region manager Len Villani said Kyte was “a gentlemen who provided me with many opportunities in both my own career and in my personal life”, while GWS Giants AFLW player Alicia Eva credited Kyte as a passionate supporter of women’s football.

Without the likes of Kytey and @AndrewJohno70 involved @CalderCannonsFC I would be worse off as a coach...... Kytey was huge for me in a short period of time..... I dare say hes in Bali by now.... well done and cheers to him 👍

— Nick Rutley (@nickrutley) November 7, 2018

“Lucky to have learnt so much under his tutelage in the TAC pathway,” she said.

“Unsung hero in the AFLW pathway too … genuine investment from day (one), always leading the way.”

Kyte joined Calder in 2008 after a seven-year stint as development manager at Sandringham Dragons.

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Calder high performance manager Sean Potter said Kyte was a “legend of the club and a legend of a man”, while Cannons assistant coach Brett Gourley said he “took a chance and gave me my first opportunity at a higher level. Will be forever grateful.”

Was always a great friend and supporter of @TACCupRadio from when we started. Champion bloke in every sense if the word #always a cannon

— Phil Crooks (@Crooksy18) November 7, 2018

Jake Melksham, Daniel Talia, Paul Ahern, Rory Atkins, Jake Lever, Touk Miller and Peter Wright were other players drafted during Kyte’s tenure.

Chris Johnson has been appointed interim talent manager.

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