Ex-Black Duck jumps at Kangas job

North Albany Football Club will enter a new era under former Swan Districts footballer Leigh Hislop, after his appointment as the Kangas league coach this week.

Hislop has replaced outgoing premiership coach Craig Dew, who was in his fourth year as league boss this season before departing on annual leave as the Kangas bowed out in the elimination final, ending their quest to win a sixth successive title.

Hislop comes with a host of coaching experience in WA’s North West, including stints as a senior coach in Derby and most recently Broome.

“I coached four years in Derby and then headed to Alice Springs where I just played,” Hislop said.

“We went back to Broome and I was coach of the Broome Bulls for a season and a half and then the Broome Saints last year.

“I just love footy and coaching is very enjoyable.”

Having moved to Albany through his job at Westpac, Hislop said a connection with Scott Mackenzie led him to applying for the Kangas top job.

“I coached Scotty Mackenzie in Derby,” he said. “When it looked like I was coming here for work, I hit him up and it went from there.

“One of my key attributes will be bringing the playing group together and doing the basics well. I’m aware the club is certainly not struggling and the aim is to be very competitive but I can’t wait for the challenge.”

Hislop played 89 league games for Swan Districts in the WAFL and grew up in Bunbury, admitting he had never seen a game in the Great Southern Football League.

The 40-year-old said he would play reserves and also has experience with representative teams including the Kimberley Spirit.

Kangas director of football Gerard Cameron said they were delighted with the appointment.

“We knew Dewy was not going on,” Cameron said.

“Sometimes it can be hard to find a league coach but we are really pleased to get Leigh. He has coached in Derby and has plenty of experience.”

The Kangas have also announced Fiona Mountford as their new women’s coach for the 2020 Great Southern Women’s Football League season.