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Belconnen to go the Wingate way
By BARRY ROLLINGS
Newly appointed Westfield Belcon
iien coach Manrie Wingate was un
flinching and unhesitating yesterday in
assessing the biggest part of his new
challenge — boosting the Magpies from
the "team most likely" to the team that
does in the ACT Australian Football
League.
His appointment as non-ptaying
coach to succeed Brian Read was an
nounced yesterday.
"Every year it has been said that
Belconnen shows great potential but
they have not gone on with it," Wingate
said yesterday.
"Last year, I think, proved that they
are the competition's sleeping giants,
with a win in the reserve-grade premier
ship, second in the under-19s and fourth
in first-grade, as well as the under-17
teams being well placed; but we have to
build on that.
"Looking at Belconnen's structure,
there is anobvious need for some expe
rienced players.
"There is a wealth of potential and
the club has a big future, so my role will
be to realise that potential and get some
results.
"I'm looking forward to the chal
lenge, and as a non-playing coach I will
have more time and energy to put into
the job.
"After so many years playing, I will ,
certainly miss it, and I imagine it will
be hard initially. I played under some
good coaches, particularly in Mel
bourne, and I think that has had an
effect. It was a hard decision, but taking
up coaching might just help me to re
tire."
Wingate does not envisage any prob
lems gaining a clearance from Belcon
nen's northside neighbour, Ainslie,
where he has served loyally and well as
both a player and assistant coach dur
ing the past five years.
"Obviously I have some regrets at
leaving a club where I have enjoyed my
time, made good friends and been
treated well.
"But, without beating my own drum
too much, I have given them good ser
vice and been very consistent in my time
here.
"Coaching again is something I have
been thinking about for some time, and
Ainslie made it known they were
looking for a high-profile coach."
A resident of Holt and an employee
of the Public Trustees' Office, Wingate,
is no stranger to coaching after playing
Maurie Wingate: "It was a hard decision, but it might help me to retire." Help
Maurie Wingate: "It was a hard decision, but it might help me to retire."
39 senior games with Mclbonrne from
1976 to 81. He coached Kyabram in the
Diamond Valley League in 1983-84 and
was its district junior development offi
cer in 1985.
In 1986 he was assistant coach at
Nathalia in the Murray League, and
joined Ainslie in 1987. He was the Tri
colours' assistant coach from 1989 to 91
inclusive.
Now 34, Wingate had five seasons
with Ainslie, highlighted by a win in the
best and fairest award last year. A
185cm and 82kg utility player, Wingate
was at home as a ruck rover, centre
man, defender or centre half-back.
Wingate's first training run will be
literally that, from West Canberra Foot
ball Club in Holt from 6pm on Wednes
day. Then he will be handing out his
preliminary pre-season training agenda.
Pre-season training begins in earnest.
at Aranda Oval on Monday, January 20
and then on Mondays, Wednesday and
Fridays. He will consider fining that
down to two nights a week during the
competition.
All present and intending players, in
cluding under-17s, officials and support
ers are invited to a meet the coaches
and new committee evening on Monday,
December 16 from 7.30pm at West
Canberra.
Leigh McPhan has been re-appointed
reserve-grade coach for his second suc
cessive season, with Brian Read to
coach the under-19s after guiding the
firsts for the past 2Vi seasons.
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