New Launceston City NPL coach Jez Kenth will take an unequivocal approach in the search for success.
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The 43-year-old almost unapologetically pulled no punches towards assessing his inherited City squad.
Kenth was appointed to the job last December after new president Andrew Heap started a search far and wide.
“I’m under no illusion that it is a really big challenge ahead of us,” Kenth said.
“There is promise within the group, but there is a gap between where the others and Launceston City is.
“That’s the challenge that attracted me to the role and pretty much the aim for Andrew was that the direction they want to take is to make the team competitive again.
“That’s what my main criteria is – not just winning the odd game, but going into every game with a good chance to win. That’s the aim whether it’s this year or next.”
Hobart-based Kenth has now taken charge of three New Year preseason sessions.
In wanting to eliminate complacency, he is urging the side to set high standards.
“That’s what we’ve been strong on – to bring competitiveness for spots,” he said.
“At the moment that’s lacking and it’s been lacking a bit the last couple of years.”
The Malaysian-born coach came from a hockey background. Injuries cruelled any soccer potential before turning his hand to coaching.
“I’ve always been one to sit back and make the game because I read the game better than my skills,” Kenth said.
Kenth had been in charge of Southern Championship side University for three seasons that included two titles before lured to work under ex-City favourite Peter Savill at Hobart Zebras last year.
“I quite enjoyed working with Sav – he's a genius, that’s for sure,” Kenth said.
The latest role arose when he bumped into City stalwart Roger Mies, who accepted Kenth’s initial offer to help the side out one night a week.
After first talking coaching philosophies with Heap, the president requested Kenth interview for the NPL job.
“His ambition for the game and the club is very high – that’s what sold me,” Kenth said. “People like Roger are extremely passionate for the club, but then adding Andrew that has a vision made it a reasonably easy decision to make.”
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
