Football
22 July, 2024
Southern Roos lock in their man for 2025
Harrow Balmoral senior football coach Jai Thompson has signed on for 2025 and is now firmly focused on leading the Southern Roos to back-to-back premierships.
Thompson started as coach at the Southern Roos in 2023, leading them to an unbeaten season to claim the premiership over Jeparit Rainbow Storm. They are currently unbeaten in 2024 and are still the best teams in the league.
Thompson wanted to focus on the rest of the season and was happy things could get wrapped up early.
"I love the club and am excited about what we can produce, and it's nice to get things wrapped up early," Thompson said.
"If I didn't want to do the job, then it's hard for the club to get a good coach, so as I wanted to stay on, it made sense to get it done now, and hopefully, we can lock away some players as well."
Thompson said the club has spoken about resigning him for the last few weeks.
"It was an easy decision when they approached me, and with the team going the way it is, it would be silly to jump out after the work we have achieved over the last couple of years," Thompson said.
"We have a great team, with some older guys and a lot of youth, and they have come a long way since we started, and the best thing is, we still have a few good young players ready to step up next year."
Harrow Balmoral president Tereasa Hobbs said he is a phenomenal human being.
"His professionalism and what he brings as a footballer, as well as a human being, is sensational, and we are so grateful for everything he does for the club," Hobbs said.
"He always thanks the volunteers, is humble and grateful, and so accommodating to everyone, which makes him a brilliant coach."
"It was important to us as he has fit in beautifully, and as a club, we can now focus on finals and start planning for 2025, and we couldn't be happier."
Thompson's work with the junior players has been important for the club, particularly as they have been unable to field an under-17s side this year.
"He has never been one to say that juniors can't train and is so open and welcoming with junior players," Hobbs said.
"We have one under-17 player that has started to train since pre-season and continued to train with the group, and in the group, we have sent off to Laharum for the year, three will be finishing under-17s this season and have all the tools to step up to senior football."
"It's also good to have them train with the senior players, mentor them, and learn from them. They are lucky that Jai is great at developing the juniors."