Hawks Netball head coach Guy Keane will depart the club ahead of the 2023 season, after taking up a new role interstate.
Keane will move into an exciting player development role with Netball WA in the coming weeks.
After joining the Hawks at the end of 2018 and guiding the club over the past four years, as well as coaching the 19/Under team in 2021, Keane helped lead the Championship team to a fifth-place finish in 2022, while also playing a pivotal role in the development of the club’s next crop of stars in 19/Under and Division 1.
2022 Division 1 coach AJ Ballantyne has been appointed as the Hawks’ new head coach, working across the club’s Championship and Division 1 teams and also supporting the 19/Under team.
Hawks president Shane O’Sullivan said while Keane would be sorely missed, he leaves the club in a strong position.
“I always say you want to leave an organisation in better shape than when you arrived, and Guy has certainly done that at Hawks,” O’Sullivan said.
“He’s been instrumental across all facets of the club, from player and coach development to recruitment to managing key partnerships.”
“Good people will always be in demand, so we’re not surprised he’s been sought out within the wider netball community, and we wish him every success with his move. He’ll always be a part of Hawks and we’ll welcome him back any time.”
Keane said it was a sad day as he departed the Hawks but was proud of where the club was positioned as the 2023 season approaches.
“I would like to thank everyone at the Hawks Netball club for an amazing four years. You all welcomed and embraced me right from the moment I walked into the club,” he said.
“To Shane, Roz and the committee, your leadership and support of the club behind the scenes is unwavering. You back the coaches 100% while providing guidance to ensure our culture is ‘athlete first’.
“To all the coaches that have been involved while I have been at the club, thank you. It’s not often that you find a place where everyone is so unified to work together and achieve our goals. I have learnt something from each and everyone and will treasure our coaching moments together. Special shout out to Jacqui (Hansen) and AJ – we are unique in our approach and you have made the club what it is today and I know you will both continue to grow the club and each other into 2023 and beyond.”
“Lastly, to all the amazing athletes that I have had the pleasure of working with since 2018 – this is why we do what we do as coaches, to see the athletes thrive and develop on and off court. Thank you again to my Hawks family.”
Further Hawks coaching announcements will be made in the coming weeks.