MPCA: Adam Slack appointed Red Hill captain-coach
A year ago Adam Slack walked into Red Hill just happy to be one of the boys. Now he’s about to lead the Hillmen back into MPCA Provincial — in the club’s centenary season.
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Adam Slack was happy to listen rather than lead when he arrived at Red Hill last season.
He had previously coached two clubs, Upper Ferntree Gully and Templeton, when he moved to the Mornington Peninsula and started looking for a game of cricket.
He linked up with his former Hawthorn-Monash University teammate Simon Dart at Red Hill, and quickly became one of the lads at the Hillmen.
A year on, Slack is now Red Hill’s coach and captain and will steer the Hillmen in their most pivotal season as they return to the MPCA’s top flight, Provincial — all this in the club’s centenary season.
“This role probably wasn’t on the cards,’’ Slack said.
“But a lot of things have gone a bit differently this year in a lot of different areas so you roll with it. I’m looking forward to it.’’
Slack’s opportunity came unexpectedly a month ago when Dart resigned after securing a job in Japanese cricket.
Red Hill advertised for a new coach but also looked internally, offering the job to the recently married 37-year-old Slack.
And after talking it over with wife Nik, he agreed to do it.
“It all happened pretty quick,’’ he said.
Red Hill won the MPCA Peninsula premiership last season and Slack says there’s a load of motivation among the players to prove they belong in the top grade.
“Stepping up to the top grade is going to be a big challenge but the club’s been well set up and everything Darty’s done over a number of years has set the trajectory that the club’s been on,’’ he said.
“I’m just looking to add to that...and build on the success the club has had over a number of years.’’
Slack, a tall off-spinner who once made 60 for Hawthorn-Monash University’s First XI, played his early cricket at Mulgrave before joining the Hawks where he played for six seasons, predominantly in the seconds but also 10 times in the ones.
He then coached Upper Ferntree Gully and Templeton, putting the experiences he learned from the likes of Andrew Walton and Graham Yallop into action.
Slack says the key to good coaching is having a strong relationship with the players.
“If you’ve got good relationships with your players that will help their performances and them believing in themselves, being comfortable in their roles,’’ he said.
“I think it’s more than individual skills.
“And communication.’’
Dart’s departure is a massive void for Red Hill, although the champion batsman will play when he’s in the country.
Red Hill still has an abundance of quality players, with the likes of Tom and Glenn Collett, Brent Martin, Jamie McCall, Lincoln Toy, Matt Merifield, Riley Shaw, Luke Jackson and Mitch Darville.
“There’s a good group there, it’s a good age bracket of players,’’ Slack said.
“We’ll all have to step up in different areas particularly with Simon (Dart) not there. But it’s just another challenge for the boys. I’m sure a lot of them are pretty keen to prove that we belong in the top grade. It’s what everyone has been working to.’’
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