BLUE AND WHITE: Jai Thompson has put pen to paper at the Southern Roos for the 2024 season.
(Photo: Supplied)
Leopold legend and current Harrow-Balmoral senior coach, Jai Thompson has put pen to paper and signed on with the Southern Roos for the 2024 season after an incredibly successful start to his campaign in the Horsham District Football Netball League (HDFNL).
The re-appointment with Harrow-Balmoral Football Netball Club (HBFNC) comes on the back of an incredibly successful first season coached. His first year at the helm has seen the side go through the entire home-and-away season undefeated boasting a staggering percentage of 454.53.
After thumping second-placed Jeparit-Rainbow in the qualifying final by 83 points, the Southern Roos await their opponent in the big dance. The side will either take on Noradjuha-Quantong in a 2019 grand final rematch or the Storm for the second time in three weeks.
Not only have the Southern Roos dominated as a team this season, but Thompson has got straight to work at an individual level and quickly announced himself as one of the best midfielders in the competition. His hard attack on the football and game IQ set him apart from his competitors and with a lethal left boot, he plays similar to the club’s former coach, Nick Pekin.
Thompson has kicked 40 goals in 16 games this season with a season best of four goals, a number which he has kicked on six occasions. He has been awarded in the best players 13 times and has brought another level of “professionalism, enthusiasm and structure” to the club.
Thompson said he was incredibly happy to sign on for 2024 and had nothing but great things to say about the club and the wider community.
“I am so grateful and pleased to be re-appointed as senior coach of the HBFNC for the 2024 season.” - Thompson.
“This past season has been so enjoyable, and the club has been very welcoming to my wife and I and our young family, which has made the move from Geelong so much easier," he said.
(Photo: Harrow-Balmoral Football Netball Club Facebook)
Thompson said while the job wasn’t finished for the 2023 season, he was pumped for 2024 and felt the club had an incredibly bright future.
“We still have a job to do this year but I’m looking forward to what the future holds for this group beyond 2023,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to grow as a club and as a playing group, and to see the young talent come through in the next year is exciting for all of us.
“It has been my pleasure to get to know all involved in this great club on and off the field.”
HBFNC football manager, Rob Close said the club was delighted to announce the re-appointment of Thompson and spoke about the great influence he had on the club.
“Not only is Jai a great player, he has sparked a real drive and energy in our players to elevate themselves to the next level,” Close said.
“We have complete confidence in the outcomes Jai delivers and look forward to what we can all achieve together in 2024 … we are so pleased to have Jai, Hanna and their children to be part of our community.”
STAR: The Leopold legend has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Harrow-Balmoral Football Netball Club.
(Photo: Supplied)
Thompson’s GFL success
Before signing on with Harrow-Balmoral, Thompson had a highly esteemed career for the Lions, playing his juniors there before moving into the seniors. After playing over 200 games for the club including some experience playing in the Victorian Football League (VFL), he made his way to the Southern Roos for the 2023 season.
Thompson held the Geelong Football League (GFL) premiership cup aloft in 2016 as captain of the Lions and was named best on ground in the grand final. In addition to this, he came runner-up in the Mathieson Medal (the league’s best and fairest) while also winning best in finals and Leopold’s best and fairest award in the premiership year. He has been named in the GFL team of the year five times, GFL interleague player five times and is a three-time club best and fairest winner. The Leopold life member has been captain, assistant coach and coached the juniors for many seasons at his former club, but the Southern Roos was his first senior coaching role.
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