South Fremantle begins search for new coach in 2015

THE South Fremantle Football Club would like to announce that the club's senior coach Paul Hasleby has informed the board that he is not seeking a contract renewal beyond the end of the 2014 WAFL season.

Hasleby's time in charge of South Fremantle will come to an end at the conclusion of the 2014 season after he took over at the helm in 2012 on the back on an outstanding AFL playing career with the Fremantle Dockers, and then a season with South Fremantle in the WAFL.

Hasleby tonight informed the entire club of his decision to not seek a new contract at the end of this his third season in charge as he addressed the board members, staff and players. He cited a desire to look at other interests as a major factor in his decision.

South Fremantle Football Club president Haydn Raitt and the board have agreed to allow Hasleby to coach out the rest of the 2014 season on the understanding that the hunt for Hasleby's replacement will commence immediately.

"Paul is extremely passionate about working hard, turning the season around and seeing out his contract," Raitt said.

"With eight games remaining, our playing group must stay tight, unified and fight to win games for the rest of the season. Weighing up our options, the board feels that he is the best person to lead the group for the remainder of the season."

Hasleby will look to focus on family and business interests once his time as senior coach at South Fremantle comes to an end, but is committed to doing what is best for the club's players and members for the rest of the season.

"I'm very positive that we can be extremely competitive on the run home," Hasleby said.

"We have a young, quality group that have been unlucky in a few games and it won't be long before we start winning the close ones."

South Fremantle Football Club CEO Stuart Kemp praised Hasleby's commitment to the Bulldogs over the last four years – one as a player and three as coach.

"Paul has always put his heart and soul into the role and is a passionate South Fremantle person," Kemp said.

"Things haven’t gone his way and it's been a disappointing year, however, the season has a long way to go and we are positive we can do some damage in the back half of the year."

South Fremantle now looks ahead to its traditional NAIDOC Round clash with Claremont this Saturday at the Claremont Showground before facing Perth for the Cable-Michael Cup.