Cameron Joyce has defended his decision to leave Tasmania to coach the AFLW Suns

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TASMANIA Devils coach Cameron Joyce defended his decision to leave the state mid-season for the NAB League Boys and credited the Devils Girls for his appointment as head coach of the Gold Coast Suns’ new AFLW team.

Joyce arrived in Tasmania in November 2019, leaving his role as North Melbourne football boss, to take on the role of head coach of the state’s elite development pathway.

Only 16 months later Joyce is off to Queensland.

“As an opportunity, it was too good to pass up,” Joyce said.

“Thinking about the time and effort we’ve put into both the Devils Boys and Girls to get them to where they are now, I understand that the timing is not ideal.

Tasmania Devils NAB League Development Coach Cameron Joyce Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“But these opportunities don’t come up a lot. I wrestled with the decision a bit but the opportunity side of it took over.”

Joyce was told on Wednesday he had the job.

After informing AFL Tasmania boss Damian Gill, he broke the news to the Devils Boys and Girls.

Joyce transformed the Girls from NAB League easy beats last year _ albeit they played only two games before Covid-19 shut down the competition _ to finalists this year.

“Off the back of the Girls season, that was a huge contributor to being in the position I’m in now,” Joyce said.

Tasmania Devils NAB League Development Coach Cameron Joyce Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“I am certainly very grateful for what the girls achieved in a short period of time.”

With the AFLW Draft scheduled for June 25, Joyce expects to see some of his Devils Girls drafted and have to coach against them in his first season at Gold Coast.

He will coach the Devils Boys for three to four more games, pending coronavirus boarder restrictions.

Joyce, who also owns a house in Hobart, will leave for GCS early next month.

Tasmania Devils coach lands AFLW role

TASMANIA’S elite teenage football program was dealt a salvage blow with Devils Boys and Girls coach Cameron Joyce leaving to be head coach of the Gold Coast Suns’ new AFLW team in 2022.

Gold Coast cited Joyce’s outstanding work with the Devils Girls, taking them to their first finals series this year, as one of the main reasons he was appointed to its AFLW role.

Joyce was also in the middle of coaching the Devils through the NAB Boys season, with the Tasmanians placed in the top five in an 18-team competition that includes the Gold Coast Academy team (13th).

Cameron Joyce, AFL Tasmania's talent pathway manager at North Hobart Oval. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

He remains in charge of the Devils for a few more weeks. He leaves next month for Gold Coast, after helping to find his replacement.

“We are sad to see Cam go,” said AFL Tasmania general manager Damian Gill.

“This is an amazing opportunity and we should all be proud of Cam and the Tasmania Devils program.

“Good people get good opportunities and we have been fortunate to have Cam as part of Tasmanian footy and our team at AFL Tasmania.”

In a statement released by the Suns, Joyce said he was “motivated” by the new job.

“I’m really excited to be joining the club and working with such a talented group of players at the Suns,” he said.

Members of the Tasmania Devils girls leadership group Perri King, 17, Claire Ransom,16, Amy Prokopiec, 17 and Jemma Webster, 18 ahead of their first game of the NAB League Girls season. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“I see a real opportunity for growth and development amongst the players and to build on the foundations that have already been established over the last two seasons.

“I’ve always had a strong passion for coaching and I feel my experiences over the last 23 years will hold me in good stead for the role.”

Before coming to Tasmania, Joyce worked at North Melbourne, West Coast and Richmond in various roles including general manager of football, list manager and development coach.

“Cameron was a standout candidate to be our new AFLW head coach and we’re thrilled to have him as part of the Gold Coast Suns family,” said GCS chief executive Mark Evans.

“He is highly respected throughout the industry, has a strong passion for developing football talent and has proven his ability as a coach, particularly in female football in recent years.”