Rob Harding on what lays ahead for Kew in season 2024

After hitting the ground running at Kew last year, director of men’s footy Rob Harding is excited by what the Bears could achieve under a new coach.

Kew is determined ahead of its new era.

Kew director of men’s football Rob Harding has a clear plan for how he wants to see the VAFA club develop.

“We don’t want to be a yoyo club,” he said.
After being appointed into the role in September last year, Harding has set about helping the club the Bears to chase their ambition of being in Premier C before aiming higher.

Harding, who is also coaching the Sandringham Dragons Coates Talent League boys team, immediately hit the ground running helping to appoint new senior coach Jack Cole.

The experienced mentor has been named to lead the club after Ian Aitken, who dedicated 12 years of service to the club.

“It’s been great to get Jack on board, there’s a clear picture about how we want to move forward in this new chapter,” Harding said.

“We haven’t set a goal or anything this season, it’s about establishing ourselves under Jack and continuing to build.

“We want to be a sustainable club that isn’t bouncing between the divisions. It’s been an impressive pre-season so far, we’re excited for it to get started.

“It was a big change for us with Ian moving on from the role. But we’re already seeing some great potential with what Jack has brought in.”

Harding first came to the club to play alongside his best mate and “still runs around in the thirds from time-to-time”.

Now he’s aiming to continue building off the strong foundation that already exists.

“We’re very fortunate to have something that people around the club have worked to build,” he said.

“You see the old boys walking around wearing the Kew colours, they’re the type of people the club is about. Sometimes these clubs are the most important part of their week.

“They want to see the club succeed and we’re determined to do it for them.”