SACKED Hamilton Kangaroos coach Jake Myles says he’s moving on from his dismissal at the helm of the club — and wants club fans to do the same.
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Myles has broken his silence about one of the most tumultuous fortnights of his career by urging the Hamilton community to support its new football-netball club.
The 27-year-old coached Hamilton Imperials last year and won the role of guiding the Kangaroos — formed from a merger between Imperials and Hamilton — through 2013.
But he lost his job on January 21 as the Kangaroos’ preparation for their Hampden league debut took a turn for the worse.
Mick Edmonds replacing Myles at the helm of the club has been the biggest talking point in football circles the past fortnight.
But the man at the centre of the storm put the saga into perspective by highlighting the real battles residents of flood-ravaged Queensland were facing.
“You have a look at the people in Queensland, in Bundaberg,” he said.
“There are some people there who have gone through floods the last two years.”
Myles wouldn’t go into the reasons for his axing. He said his only regret was “trying to please everyone and not sticking to my guns”.
He said he had been overwhelmed with support from friends and teammates but also “blokes I haven’t even spoken to much”.
His employers at Hamilton Racing Club, manager John Donnelly, president Peter Young and the committee, have gone out of their way to ensure his wellbeing.
“Early on it was a kick in the guts. Time heals and you move forward, that’s the only way you can, that’s what I’m trying to do at the moment,” Myles said.
“I’m getting there. It’s been 10 days. Day by day it’s getting a lot easier with the support and surrounding myself with mates and people I can trust.
“I know there are some angry people out there but it’s time to move on.
“There’s a lot of work to be done at this football club by (chairman) Paul Block, (football manager) Kevin Quinn, (vice-chairman) Darren Templeton and the committee.
“The amount of work that has gone into this football club is amazing.
“There are some people sitting back ready to have pot shots but the football club is here whether you like it or not. Hopefully they jump on board and support it.”
Myles, the curator at Hamilton Racecourse, said he was undecided about where he would play football in 2013.
The onballer/forward wants to have a football home confirmed by week’s end.
He said his future coaching ambitions and club suitability would factor most in his decision. “I see it as a road bump in my coaching career,” he said. “It’s all up in the air. I’m definitely going to stay around the area with my job.
“The club and I are working through some things at the moment.
“There is a possibility I could play (at Hamilton Kangaroos) but there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge.”
Myles said regardless of where he played, he wanted Hamilton Kangaroos to be a success.
He has continued to train with the Kangaroos and praised the attitude of his replacement, former Imperials champion Edmonds.
“I’ve spoken to him a few times on the phone and in person. My best interests were his number one priority,” he said.
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au