After five years as senior men’s coach at the Kinglake Football Netball Club, Andrew Fairchild will not continue in the role next season.
Fairchild joined the Lakers at the end of the 2018 campaign, following a span at Whittlesea which included three Division 2 premierships and three Division 2 Team of the Year appearances.
He took the club to the top of the Outer East Football Netball League Division 2 ladder in 2021 before the season got cut short, and then backed his efforts up a year later by taking them to the OEFNL Division 2 Grand Final.
In Kinglake’s first season back in the NFNL, he guided the Lakers to third position in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 campaign before his side bowed out in the first semi-final a fortnight ago.
A club statement said:
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the resignation of our senior coach, Andrew Fairchild. Andrew has been an integral part of our club for the past 5 years, and his dedication, passion, and leadership will be greatly missed.
Andrew has decided to step down from his position to pursue other opportunities and spend more time with his family. We are grateful for everything he has done for us and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
We would also like to thank Ashtyn and the kids who have sacrificed so much to allow Andrew to fulfil his role over the past 5 years.
The club has been extremely proud of its achievements in the past 5 years, and we hope Andrew is too.
In his first season at the helm, he raised the bar and set new standards on and off the field. It was an enormous achievement to see the senior side reach a preliminary final in Andrew’s first season as senior coach.
What followed over the next couple of seasons wasn’t in any young developing coaches plans but Andrew navigated the Covid years with such professionalism, and in such an uncertain time our club was so fortunate to have such a great leader in charge.
Unfortunately, the 2021 season was ceased while the senior side sat on top of the ladder and robbed Andrew and the club of an elusive premiership. The 2022 season was a season of many firsts at the club, which eventually resulted in all 3 senior sides playing in a grand final.
This latest season was one of great change as we transitioned to the NFNL competition, nobody was sure what to expect and with the club reaching finals it was once again another great achievement and a great building block for continued improvement moving forward.
Andrew, our club will always be grateful of the positive impact you’ve had in your 5 years as senior coach, and we hope the club can continue to grow and make you proud of the mark you’ve left on our club and the playing group.
Photo: Stuart Milligan (Leader)
