South Adelaides Letter to Members

[Sojourner]

Here it is!

"I am writing to you on behalf of the board of directors in reference to the resignation of Jack Cahill.

When Jack arrived at our club in September last year. The South Adelaide Football Club had concluded one of its most dissapointing years in recent history after a long awaited finals appearance in 2006.

Substantial change was needed. CEO Ben Kavenagh together with the newly formed Football Operations Committee (FOC) consisting of Brenton Honor, David Kappler, Shane Butler and Mark Naley. commenced the task of formulating a plan that would give South Adelaide the very best opportunity to create sustained on-field success. After considerable consultation, research and planning, The SAFC Football Operations Strategic Plan was formulated and endorsed as the blueprint for our future.

One of the initiatives listed within the Strategic Plan was a major change in our recruiting policy. In recent times the club has spent considerable time and money securing a disproportianate number of interstate recruits. The new direction specifies selective recruitment and a focus on the development of our own juniors and players from our metropolitan and country zones. This policy was explained to and embraced by Jack, even though he expressed concern with the current depth of our list. The FOC empathised and even agreed with Jack, but all agreed with our commitment to the long term plan. It would be fair to say that this issue caused some angst between Jack, the Football Operations Committee, The CEO and the Football Manager. It is important to acknowledge however that all parties were working towards a common goal during this time; on field success.

There has been much speculation about the meeting that took place between the Senior Coach, the Football Manager and the CEO on the night of Jack's departure. From the clubs viewpoint, this was a routine meeting predominantly about off field issues such as;

* Player attendance at after match functions,
* Challenges caused by late changes to training schedules,
* Reserve Coach Mentoring,
* Reminders on Club policy's regarding SAFC player appearances at zone clubs,
* Guidelines to ensure that junior players comming up the grades to reserve football be provided with meaningfull match time.

Following the meeting Jack took training, at the end of the session he sat the playing group down and advised them of his resignation.

While disappointed that Jack did not see fit to advise the board of his decision to resign prior to informing the player group, the Club acknowledges and is thankfull for his significant contribution over the last 8 months. The club did consider trying to retain him in an alternate role so as not to lose his expertise completley. However, after lengthy discussion, both parties realised that neither were ready for such an agreement at that point and parted amicably. It was also agreed that Jack and I would not discuss these matters with the media until members had been properly informed.

Jack did a magnificent job galvanising the playing group and the Club will always be in debt to him for this. We doubt that any other coach could have achieved what he did in such a short amount of time. Jack has an outstanding ability to motivate players and it is with regret that he will not continue to play a part in the rebuilding of our League team.

As we have said all along, our rebuilding process will take time. Our aim is high, however when circumstances such as this occur we must all be prepared to wear some negative opinions, then strengthen our resolve and get on with the job.

Clay Sampson has been appointed to the position of Senior Coach. He is not a caretaker coach. He is contracted until the end of 2009 and the expectation is that Clay will be a long term coach and our football club which will provide confidence and stability to enable the Club to continue to move forward. His loyalty and commitment to this Club is unquestionable. He has great respect across all levels of the Club. He is excited by at the opportunity that has been presented and enthusiastically supports, and will work within, the parameters of the Football Operations Strategic Plan. Clay will be assisted by current Club Captain and Assistant Coach Jason Torney who has now got the opportunity to play a more hands on coaching role. We have no doubt that this combination will develop into a very dynamic and successfull coaching team.

Clay and Jason were being mentored by Jack and Michael Taylor to take over the reigns once Jack's tenure had ended. The plan was for this to occur after Jack's two year contracted period. It is important for our members and supporters to understand that from a big picture viewpoint, nothing has changed except that our plans have been accelerated by a year and half by Jack's departure.

The Club is working hard to strengthen its roots in the Southern community. This is our home and our future. Our aim is to be the "Pride of the South". For those who have not yet seen what has been achieved at Noarlunga, we urge you to make the trip and have a look at what has been built over the last 2 years. We are very proud of these accomplishments, which will contribute to our future success on and off the field.

The players of the Club need our support more than ever at this time. It is their effort, commitment and ultimate success that brings us joy. The passion and enthusiasm of our Clubs members, sponsors and supporters are arguably our strongest assets and can lift our players to greater heights. Now is the time to stick together, believe in the plan and see it through, no matter what.

Chairman
Board of Directors
South Adelaide Football Club."

[Squawk]

That's great.

Why did the members have to wait the best part of nearly 3 weeks to be told (all?) of this? There's nothing astonishing contained in the letter - in fact it emphasises the routine nature of the meeting that took place with administration prior to Jack making his announcement to the players.

If it was that routine, then I would seriously wonder why it took so long to deliver such a routine explanation.

At least they did write a letter to members though.

[whatever]

From where I sit souths big problem is that the clubs in their zone actively discourage kids from playing for South Adelaide. South have a lot of work in selling the benefits of the local club sending their best kids to south adelaide.

Like AFL clubs when they delist players, south has to be aware that players they no longer want need support when returning to their origonal club and that support needs to come from south and not the club they are returning to.

[Pseudo]

Not wanting to be critical, but that missive used a hell of a lot of words to say nothing in particular. Is anyone wiser as to why Jack walked after reading that?

[Dirko]

Not wanting to be critical, but that missive used a hell of a lot of words to say nothing in particular. Is anyone wiser as to why Jack walked after reading that?

The letter says nothing. A good mate has told me what someone on the board told him and there is nothing in the letter in relation to what my mate was told...

[gadj1976]

wow, that explains nothing.

[JAS]

Be honest...what were you expecting...transcript of a boardroom bust-up ???

I doubt any club in the same position would say any more than that. I'd guess that the reason it's taken so long is to make sure that all butts are legally protected.

Regards
JAS

[Squawk]

Yes Jas - the fact it is so innocuous makes it so intriguing!

[mighty_tiger_79]

south go and seek Jack as an experienced successful coach. they use him and Michael Taylor to mentor Sampson and Torney, but they leave after 6 months.......the board then puts sampson in charge until the end of next year.

it all seems quite ridiculous that they got jack, now he has gone, they are giving the job to a bloke who may well end up a successful coach but has no-where near the experience of Jack. so they have gone completely opposite to what they wanted 6 months ago

[Barto]

Be honest...what were you expecting...transcript of a boardroom bust-up ???

I doubt any club in the same position would say any more than that. I'd guess that the reason it's taken so long is to make sure that all butts are legally protected.

Regards
JAS

Exactly. It was a pretty well written letter and any more info on what really happened might sound bitchy. Sounds like the club just wants to move forward.

[Booney]

It does make you wonder what became of Kevin Morris' report if it was only to be followed by an internal "Strategic Planning" groups own recommendations.

Some very good players on that planning committee,but,what would the likes of Kappler,Butler and Honour know about creating on field success? No sarcasm or attempted humour attached here,a genuine question.

[MightyEagles]

South know wxactly what they were getting when they appointed Cahill their coach. So was it any wonder why he left?

[NO-MERCY]

Be honest...what were you expecting...transcript of a boardroom bust-up ???

I doubt any club in the same position would say any more than that. I'd guess that the reason it's taken so long is to make sure that all butts are legally protected.

Regards
JAS

When your dealing with Jack you want to make sure all clauses are legally protected, if not expect a summons!

[Dutchy]

if not expect a sumens!

Whats that?

[Dogwatcher]

It's the Sergeant Schulz scenario by the looks.

[MightyEagles]

It's the Sergeant Schulz scenario by the looks.

I know NOTHING, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHING

[darley16]

Summons no-mercy, and you are quite right. As for the letter i thought it was fine, a little late but as no-mercy said all legal avenues needed to be covered. The club said it would inform it's members and have done so as best it could. The more time passes the clearer it appears that any issues may have been Jack's more so than than South as the club made every effort to keep him.

[Hondo]

I think it's up to Jack to tell his side, if that's what he wants to do. He prob doesn't want to publicly.

I don't think the club should or need to talk for him - from their POV he resigned and that's it.

Even if they contributed to the decision (in Jack's view) it's still not their place to talk for him because, at the end of the day, it was his call.

[blueandwhite]

I must say that I was as disappointed as anyone with the contents of the letter from the club that I received during the week.
Almost as disappointed as I was when I saw a copy of the letter on this website.

[saintal]

Almost as disappointed as I was when I saw a copy of the letter on this website.

Even though the letter says nothing basically, i agree that it's not the sort of thing that should be made available on a public forum, as interesting as it might be to supporters of other clubs.