Glenn Hart has been appointed senior coach for next season, bringing premiership experience from the Kyabram District and Goulburn Valley leagues.
Hart, the brother of Brisbane Lions star Shaun Hart, was an assistant coach when Merrigum won its last flag in 2015.
He also helped Kyabram’s reserves to a premiership in the ensuing years.
He was a gun during his playing days, turning out for Shepparton United before winning a QAFL premiership at West Brisbane alongside AFL stars Danny Craven and Michael Werner.
Hart’s just about done it all — apart from being a senior coach.
He had an itch to scratch, which is why he finds himself preparing to push Undera up from its 11th place finish in 2023.
“I guess the opportunity for me to take on a senior coaching role was something I’ve been reasonably keen to do for a while,” Hart said.
“I look forward to that challenge and hopefully bringing Undera Football Netball Club back up to where they really want to be.
“There’s obviously a process involved there and we’ve just got to get to work and do the hard yards.
“Anything worthwhile achieving always takes a bit of hard work and we’ve got to build that ethos, that commitment into the team and the club and try and build as high as we can.”
Amidst Undera’s struggles with continuity among the coaching panel in recent years, Hart hopes to bring a degree of surety to the table.
And he knows it takes time.
He said there’s no quick fix and it’s not about “inventing the wheel”, but instead setting a steady platform and reigniting the hunger among the playing group.
“(It’s about) getting the right people in the right positions and then building the playing group, having them set standards for themselves,” he said.
“Creating that real club team ethos where we all enjoy each others’ successes and challenge each other to get better.
“That’s the only way I’ve found you can achieve success — if everyone’s on board and working towards the one goal.”
Hart was excited by Undera’s young core, eager to mould them into ready-made senior stars.
That’s his bread and butter.
Hart has a knack for readying thirds footballers for the afternoon timeslot, doing so with Kyabram’s under-18s for the past five years.
But it’s not the only thing he took from his time at the Bombers.
“When I played I was strong defensively and having been involved in GVL and watching the Paul Newmans at work, even Sam Sheldon, seeing those sort of guys’ defence first mindset and from there you can create attack,” he said.
“Footy can be a very basic game but you’ve just got to do the fundamentals well. That’s my thing and that’s what I hope to bring.
“(It’s also about) making sure the opposition know they’ve been in a tough fight for the whole game, whether you win or lose.”
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