Kingborough Lions United NPL Head Coach, Jez Kenth has decided to stand down at the end of the current 2022 NPL Tasmania season.
Jez Kenth took over the reins of the Kingborough Lions mid-season in 2019 and immediately brought stability to the Club’s NPL Program after years of coaching instability. ‘There is absolutely no doubt that Jez has created a strong inclusive culture and brought a sense of stability and calmness to our NPL program and steadied the ship to finish sixth in that first year and started to build the foundation which is the basis of what we have today’ said Club President Brian Downes.
Kenth has had considerable success in each of his coaching appointments over the past decade. Some of these successes include two Championship titles with University in the Southern Championship, a top four finish with Launceston City in the NPL, its highest points tally to date and a Summer Cup Title as Assistant Coach with Hobart Zebras in the NPL.
Following on from his initial 2019 season with the Lions, Kenth took the Club to its first ever top four finish in the COVID interrupted 2020 season and then followed that up in 2021 with another fourth position and a Kingborough NPL record of 36 points, 14 points in front of fifth placed Launceston City. In 2021 the Lions also secured their first silverware since 2012 winning the pre-season Summer Cup competition and were beaten Summer Cup finalists in 2022.
Kenth, who has decided to take some much-needed time out to spend more time with his children and to meet the demands of his senior management role, said that he has enjoyed the camaraderie and culture of the Club and is proud of the contribution that he has made to this “sleeping Lion.” ‘I feel very excited for the future of Kingborough Lions and hope that I have helped this amazing Club start to realise its full potential. I am very proud to have contributed in creating a strong and competitive culture. I am also extremely proud to have had the privilege to lead this wonderful group of players and coaches.’ Kenth said.
With five matches still to be played to round out the 2022 season, there is further prospect of Kenth and his coaching team helping Kingborough to reach new heights with second position still very much on the cards having guided the Lions to its current League position of third, just one point behind South Hobart.
‘We are very excited about the positive changes that are taking place around the Club with over $6 Million of development currently underway which includes new changerooms, a total pitch renovation and installation of new lights’ Downes said. ‘The vast improvement of our facilities, thanks to the support of both the State and Federal Governments, just add to the good feel around the place to which Jez has significantly contributed through his leadership of our NPL Program. We wish Jez and his family much success and happiness for the future’ Downes added.
Brian Downes advised that the appointment of the NPL Head Coach for 2023 would be announced soon.END: