Charles Sturt University has begun the search for a new coach after Daniel Athanitis decided against a third year in charge of the Bushpigs.
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Athanitis told his players on Thursday night that he wasn’t seeking an extension after commuting from Walbundrie for two years.
“It was a tough decision to make but it’s just become too difficult with the travel, that’s the only reason,” Athanitis said.
“I haven’t regretted one bit of it. It’s been awesome.”
CSU president Tristan Robinson said Athanitis had been “tremendous” for the club in its bid to become a more professional outfit on and off the field.
“It’s bittersweet, he’s been great with what he’s done and I reckon he could’ve potentially taken it further in a third year,” Robinson said.
“But it’s a good opportunity for someone else to come in and finish off the hard work.”
Earning respect was a fulfilled goal in Athanitis’ first year. Turning that into results was this year’s aim and the Bushpigs have racked up four wins in an up-and-down season.
That included three wins on the trot early, before injuries to key players and a calamitous loss to Marrar hammered their confidence.
The usual mid-winter university break had its challenges and they endured a six-game losing streak, including a narrow loss at Coleambally which might ultimately be what put finals out of reach.
But last week’s win over the Jets restored confidence and keeps the Pigs in the hunt, as they approach Saturday’s home game against Barellan.
“Until we can’t do it (make finals), I said to the boys, we’re going to keep thinking about it, keep planning, keep working hard and keep focussing,” Athanitis said.
“But I think if we can finish the season with six to seven wins, that would be a massive effort from the whole footy club, from the president right down to the last bloke picked in the reserves.”
Athanitis pointed to the wins against East Wagga-Kooringal and at Ardlethan for the first time as highlights and hopes the club can continue to build.
“I think the footy club’s in a good position to get a coach now,” he said. “Things will start to happen at that place – the sky’s the limit really. It just needs someone to put their hand up and take it on.”
He said he couldn’t be prouder of his players and thanked them for the support they’d offered since he joined.
“It’s the boys who have bought into what we were trying to do,” he said. “You can be Alastair Clarkson but if the players don’t buy into what you want to do, it’s not going to happen.”
Athanitis had previously coached for three years at his home club and the change from a farming community to a university club was an eye-opener.
“It was a great opportunity to go somewhere I didn’t know anyone and I was able to bring something new to the club,” he said.
“I also learnt how to deal with sometimes trying circumstances, like school holidays and unavailability. And dealing with a group of kids. I know clubs talk about being ‘young’ but I don’t know many clubs that have fifteen 20-year-olds in their team. We don’t bring up the 15-, 16-year-olds but we also don’t have the guys with 200 games under their belt.”
The club will look at all options for a replacement, from promoting from within to securing someone from another league or interstate.
For his part, Athanitis isn’t sure what the future holds but plans to remain involved in football somewhere.