Kitchin New Subiaco Captain for 2019

The Subiaco Football Club is delighted to announce that Leigh Kitchin will be the club’s captain for the 2019 season.

 

It was Kitchin who was the overwhelming choice by his peers in the player’s captaincy ballot, with this player’s choice strongly supported by the Subiaco coaching group and unanimously endorsed by the Board of Directors.

 

“I’m incredibly proud to be chosen as captain of the Subi Footy Club,” Kitchin said.  

 

“To be selected by the players, coaches and board members to lead the club as part of the leadership group is a huge honour.” 

 

 

Subiaco League Coach Beau Wardman highly endorsed the choice highlighting Kitchin’s leadership qualities around the club.

 

“Since moving from Frankston where he was captain, he has embraced the Subiaco culture, the standards and behaviours that has made this club so successful,” Wardman said.

 

“He is as passionate about the football club as anybody is here and he’s desperate for the club to have more success.”

 

Kitchin has displayed outstanding leadership qualities since coming to the club at the start of the 2015 season, with his standing among the group highlighted by being vice captain for the past two seasons.

 

One of the WAFL’s premier midfielders in the past four years, Kitchin has averaged 24 disposals and five tackles a game, winning the 2017 Outridge Medal and playing in two premierships.

 

A highly durable player, Kitchin has played 86 of a possible 87 games since crossing from Frankston in the VFL and is set to play his 100^th club game during the 2019 season.  

 

“I think as captain the main sentiment is thinking what is best for the team and striving to maintain the success we have had over the past five years,” Kitchin said.

 

“Kyal has done an amazing job as captain, to continue on the standard that he has set, to support our playing group, support Beau and the coaching staff, support our wonderful volunteers and support staff is important to me.”

 

Coach Wardman likewise echoed this sentiment saying that Kitchin will be a supportive captain but one that aims to make his teammates stronger.

 

“I know Leigh will be supportive of his teammates, to challenge them to be better and to aim for team success above all else,” Wardman said.

 

“These are important characteristics for a leader and what sets Leigh apart within our group.”

 

Kitchin will replace inspirational leader Kyal Horsley who had captained the club for the past five seasons.

 

Horsley had spoken to the club during pre-season and decided the time was right to realign his leadership role within the group and allow a new leader to step up as captain.

 

Wardman, whilst disappointed Horsley wouldn’t continue in this role, was supportive of this decision, saying it spoke to the quality character of Horsley to always consider the direction of the team first whilst allowing another leader to assume responsibilities.

 

“I think it’s a great decision because it’ll free him up to enjoy the last parts of his career,” Wardman said.

 

“To release the captaincy responsibility will be good for Kyal and allow Leigh and his group to experience it, will be good for them.”

 

Under the strong on-field leadership of Horsley, the Subiaco Football Club played in five Grand Finals, won four minor premierships and won three premierships, cementing Horsley’s place as one of the all-time great captains of the club.

 

Under coach Jarrad Schofield, Horsley was instrumental in ensuring that the strong culture that has embodied the Subiaco Football Club for the past 15 years has continued.

 

While Horsley will not captain the club in 2019, he will transition into a role overseeing a new emerging leaders program and start the transition towards a coaching role within the club.

 

Horsley’s experience will now be used to work with the younger leaders at the club, with this role also designed to further develop his coaching skills to assist with the next step after his football career.

 

Wardman said it was important to recognise the outstanding leadership of Horsley and what that can still add to the team.

 

“Kyal has been a tremendous leader of this club and I know he will continue to add value to our club in this new role in 2019,” Wardman said.

 

“He sets the highest of standards in his preparation, he asks more of his teammates on-field but his is so caring and supportive of everyone around the club.”

 

The Subiaco Football Club’s leadership program has seen significant growth over the past three seasons, with this strengthened by the outstanding work of Kellie Properjohn as the club’s Leadership mentor.

 

Properjohn has been instrumental in driving the strong leadership standards of Subiaco’s captain’s having worked closely in developing both Horsley and Kitchin.

 

Wardman equally is excited about the leadership structure for this season.

 

“Having Kyal as a support and the other leaders will give Leigh confidence,” Wardman said.

 

“I know he will really grow in the role driving the playing group to success in 2019 and beyond.”

 

With Kitchin now instilled as captain for 2019, the new skipper looks eagerly ahead to leading the team out in round one at the start of April.

 

“Round One is always exciting and it will be an absolute thrill to lead my brothers out onto Leederville Oval to start another season.”