Sharks confirm coaches for 2018

Albany Football Club has moved quickly to secure a key part of their future with this season’s coaching duo Scott Sedgwick and Kim Mayfield already locked in at the Sharks for 2018.

In a significant boost to the club’s coaching, Mayfield will take over as head coach and Sedgwick will remain as an assistant due to his commitments with a young family.

While there will be a role reversal, for the first time in Sharks history the club have the same coaching panel for consecutive seasons.

Sharks president Geoff Oldfield said having continuity in league coaching was a high priority and the club was delighted to have strong commitment from the pair this early on.

“Basically they have switched around,” Oldfield said.

“Scott did a terrific job but with his young children, especially on Saturday games made things hard. To have the same two guys doing it is great and shows they are both very committed.

“Although nothing has been endorsed as far as I’m concerned it’s a done deal, it’s only a matter of paperwork.

“It’s a giant step for us and I hope for the sake of football some players give the Sharks a go now.”

Oldfield said the bold announcement was made at the Sharks season awards night recently.

Having coached a premiership at Railways before joining the Sharks last year, Mayfield said he was highly driven to help this club go forward.

“I got a bit of enthusiasm back after last year and there were some really positive signs,” Mayfield said.

“I have accepted the challenge and helping this club be successful at league level that’s the attraction for me.

“We do need some continuity in terms of coaching and after chatting to Sedgy we decided to change the roles; he will be an assistant and is a great strategy coach.

“We have some good, young players but what we need is four or five senior players of real quality, that’s the challenge.”

Mayfield confirmed that Sedgwick and Cameron Bergsma will be assistants next season while fitness gurs Mark Greene has committed to running the club’s pre-season training.