Singleton Roosters return to training
BY ALEX TIGANI
Incoming Singleton Roosters coach Tim Hare has confirmed his playing squad will return to training on Tuesday, November 8.
A foundation of fitness will be key for the club’s 2023 campaign after the men’s side finished on the bottom of the table in the AFL Hunter Central Coast’s Black Diamond Cup competition.
“If you are keen to play AFL then get down to the oval and get the fitness base into you that is required to not only enjoy playing football but also be successful,” Hare said this week.
“We will be doing a lot of running before Christmas because we are coming from a long way back.”
The Roosters last fielded two men’s sides in 2020 when finishing third in the AFL Black Diamond Cup with a 9-3 record and fifth in the Shield competition with a 3-7 record.
The cancellation of the Hunter Rugby and Group 21 competitions enabled players from neighbouring codes to try AFL that season.
“Anyone from all codes is welcome to come and have a run,” Hare continued.
“I strongly believe the talent is in our area to make our club strong again and all it will take is a level of commitment to pre-season training to get the ball rolling.”
Hare commenced his journey in the game in Melbourne before playing a majority of his senior footy in the wheatbelts of Western Australia.
He transferred with the family to Singleton in 2004 and first tasted success as an assistant coach to a premiership winning under-16 side before coaching the side the following year.
In 2010 he took up the senior coaching position, guiding the club to a second straight grand final win.
After a year off due to work commitments he returned in 2012 and was lucky enough to celebrate another premiership.
The Roosters have since won a premiership in 2016 and featured in another grand final in 2017 where he assisted as the runner.
“After consulting with senior management I am honoured to be coaching the Roosters again,” he concluded.
“I am committed to increasing the numbers of our playing list and also the numbers to training.
“You cannot enjoy your football or have any chance of success unless you do the work at training.
“The aim is to not only be highly competitive in the seniors but reintroduce the reserve grade back into the competition.”
Training session will be at Singleton’s Rose Point Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6pm.