VSDCA 2020-21: Hoppers Crossing captain-coach Jack Rhodes departs

VSDCA club Hoppers Crossing has locked in a new coach for the remainder of the season after being forced to make a change.

Jack Rhodes has departed Hoppers Crossing to take up a job opportunity. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Hoppers Crossing has been forced to make a change at the top after three rounds of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season.

Captain-coach Jack Rhodes has stepped aside after securing a part-time position in the AFL industry, leaving him unable to continue with the Cats alongside his family and work commitments as a teacher.

Rhodes was in his third season as a player with Hoppers Crossing after a stint in Premier Cricket.

He has also worked at NAB League club Western Jets in recruiting and as well-being coordinator.

“It’s mixed emotions, but it’s a great personal opportunity for him, for his career,” Cats president Jake Porter said.

“He’s been very honest with us from the start about chasing a career in the sports industry.

“It’s a great opportunity for him to expand and explore that.”

The club has appointed Anthony Williams as head coach and Stephen Frenkel as director of coaching.

Williams has more than two decades of experience in the VSDCA and was a member of Hoppers Crossing’s coaching panel last season, while Frenkel has held several mentoring roles at junior and senior level. Greg Mitchell will continue as an assistant coach.

Porter was hopeful Rhodes’ departure would not prove unsettling.

“That’s why we did a bit of work to try and put some things in place, so when it was announced there was already some things that were going to happen straight away,” he said.

“The two guys we’ve appointed, we have full faith they’re going to continue the job Jack was doing and hopefully continue our path towards ongoing success. That’s what we’re after.”

The Cats sit in fifth spot on the North-West group ladder with a 2-1 record after claiming wins over Melton and Ivanhoe.

They finished seventh with six wins and a draw to miss finals on percentage last season and have not made the top six since 2015-16.

“There’s a few positives we can take away from the start of the season,” Porter said.

“But we always generally start quite well, particularly in the firsts.

“We’ve just got to maintain the rage and keep winning games throughout the year more consistently.”

Porter said Hoppers Crossing was yet to lock in a First XI captain for the remainder of the campaign.