Kane Wintersgill appointed new Eastern Suburbs AFC men’s first team coach

A familiar Eastern Suburbs face will lead the men’s premier team in the 2023 National League. 

Wintersgill is set to be the youngest-ever head coach in the Northern League and potentially the National League if the team is to qualify. 

The opportunity means a huge amount to the 25-year-old who has been involved with Eastern Suburbs for almost 8 years. 

“I am immensely proud that the club has entrusted me to lead this group of exciting players.”

“Eastern Suburbs is a club that has such a rich footballing history, and a history that both the players and myself are very motivated to leave our own legacy on,” Wintersgill continued.

From the beginning of his coaching journey at the club in 2015, Wintersgill made his way up to assistant coach of the first team before being called into the All Whites as an analyst. 

The coach explained that Eastern Suburbs provides a “genuine pathway” for not only players, “but coaches too.”

In 2021 Wintersgill popped over to Northern Rovers, before returning to the Lilywhites last season where he worked alongside Hoani Edwards. 

Edwards who steps down as head coach will still be heavily involved in the club continuing as Youth Director of Football. 

He will coach the men’s U23ss and U17s as well as support Wintersgill in an assistant role. 

Michael Built, the club’s Junior Director of Football and former captain of the Men’s Premier, also becomes an assistant coach of the team as he undergoes an ACL recovery. 

With big plans on the horizon, Wintersgill’s number one focus is that Eastern Suburbs regain a spot in the National League, after missing out on qualifying last season.

“I think everyone within the group knows that whilst last season’s Chatham Cup run was an exciting time, the priority is to be back in the National League and competing at the top of the domestic game here in New Zealand.”

“I hope the fans can be excited to watch an aggressive, hard-working, and high-energy team.”

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