ALTONA Cricket Club coaching stalwart Kevin Stoodley pulled the pin on a career that spanned more than a decade recently but left behind a talented son in Kane, and a successful junior program.

Kevin has been the Altona juniors coaching co-ordinator “in excess of ten years” and has overseen some of the history making junior premierships in recent years, but he has decided to step down from the role for the next season.

“I have taken it (coaching) to the level where it needs fresh blood,” he said.

“The challenge is no longer there for me. We have succeeded in everything we set out to do.”

In his time at the helm of the juniors, which included coaching the Hatch Shield sides for the last nine years, Kevin has also overseen the first and only Under 15 A and 17 A flags at the club.

His son Kane had a standout 2008-’09 season and at the club’s recent presentation night, he took out the best batting and bowling averages and Champion Player in the Under 17 A side, won the Alec Merrill award for the most promising junior and in the seniors won the best bowling average.

“I had an okay season,” the quiet achiever said.

“I am not a bragger. I don’t like to talk myself up. Really, it was all a team effort.”

Kane’s side “got rolled” in the semi finals this season but one of the off-spinner’s highlights from throughout the season was a 7/38 in the Altona Third XI.

“It was just a bit of luck on the pitch,” he said.

Kevin was more forthcoming with the praise for his son.

“I am very proud of him. He is his own boy though, we’ve helped him but he’s the one who has achieved it all.”

The low key father-son combination who were dobbed in for a newspaper article by Kevin’s partner Julie, teamed up numerous times over the past decade but the two were always clear not to blur the lines.

“In our coaching, I’ve always said to the kids: I’m your coach not your dad. And at training he calls me ‘Kev’ not ‘dad’ so he knows where it’s at and I know where it’s at,” Kevin said.

Kane said he found it hard at times with his dad “always around” but he felt they worked well together despite the occasional argument.

“Of course (we get in to verbal arguments), we both get emotional but it happens. What happens on the ground stays on the ground though.”

So what did Kane think of his dad hanging up his coaching hat?

“There comes a time when everyone has to hang it up but in I will in a way (miss it).”

He may have spoken too soon though.

“It doesn’t mean I don’t want to do it again in the future,” Kevin said.

“If the challenge is there I might take it up again.”