Hampton Rovers Football Club has decided to part ways with senior coach Daniel Hughes following a disappointing start to the 2017 campaign, with Anthony Quon announced as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
The club thanks Daniel for his contribution to the club since his appointment in November last year. While working hard with the playing group, unfortunately results haven’t followed, with just three wins from the opening 10 rounds. Losing the past four matches, including Saturday’s defeat to bottom-placed Kew, the Rovers find themselves in ninth position on the Premier C table, after being relegated last season.
This is understandably far from where the club wants to be at this point of the season, and the committee decided the time was right to change things up and put the right processes in place to finish the season strongly and do all it can to avoid relegation.
President Steve Anderson delivered the news at a players meeting Tuesday evening at Boss James Reserve. The club is delighted to have Anthony Quon back on board. He’ll be supported by Lou Folino who’ll continue as assistant coach, along with Leigh Fletcher and Reserves coach Anton Duddy who’ll step-up to play more active roles on the coaching front.
Anthony Quon has had involvement with the Rovers over many years, having played 171 games for the club before focusing on coaching. He is a U19 Premiership coach and was awarded the AFCA/VAFA U19 coach of the year in 2009. More recently, he was senior coach at South Melbourne Districts, before returning to the Rovers to become Reserves coach, and then moving to the Sandringham Zebras this year to assist Owen Lalor with the VFL development side.
Quon’s ability to communicate, especially with the younger playing group, provide feedback where required, and his familiarity with the group, is sure to be a huge asset as the club looks to set-up an improved final eight rounds on the season.
Following the announcement Tuesday evening, the playing group spoke about the situation where they find themselves in and discussed how to improve and return to winning ways.
Quon will take charge for the first time this Saturday when the Rovers face fourth-placed Old Ivanhoe away at Chelsworth Park.
Meanwhile, the club registered its 200th VAFA player on Tuesday, which is a record for the Rovers. The club is fielding five senior teams in 2017 including two Under 19s and a Women’s team for the first time. Clearances close at the end of the month while it’s not too late to register and play for the club.
