MPCA 2020-21: new Rosebud coach forecasts exciting times
Lyle House sought the approval of some Mt Eliza Cricket Club greats before deciding to leave Madsen Reserve and take up the coaching job at Rosebud.
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Lyle House wanted a challenge.
And the chance to coach a young, up-and-coming Rosebud excited him.
But leaving a club where you’ve played since you were 10, and regard as family, is not easy.
“I never thought I’d leave the joint,” House, who is Mt Eliza CC’s 1st XI games record holder, said yesterday.
“But I got to an age where I felt like a new challenge…I just needed something different.
“It was bloody hard (to leave Mt Eliza).
“I reckon I made about 20 phone calls, to blokes like Cuey (Mt Eliza club legend Brian McCue), Wes Bourke — all these guys.
“By the end of it, pretty much everyone was so supportive, it was nice to know, I suppose.”
For so long a Mountie, House, 35, is now a Shark — and he couldn’t be happier.
He sees much potential at Olympic Park Reserve.
The age demographic at Rosebud was the thing that appealed to him. The Sharks are young and enthusiastic. Rosebud’s First XI captain Billy Quigley is one of the oldest in the side at 23.
House reckons he can make the young Sharks better players.
“I think it’s a good fit for both of us…they need a bit of leadership on the ground,” he said.
“I felt like I’ll get a lot out of it, too.
“I love that age bracket…you can get a lot out of them and have a bit of fun.”
House says Rosebud reminds him of Mt Eliza in 2011-12, when the Mounties won a premiership (House was captain) and embarked on a sustained run of success.
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He says the plan is to build a side around the local guys, then in a year or so work out “where we need to top up”.