Armstrong Reign to Conclude at Season’s End!

Tiger Legend Mark Armstrong will step down from his 9 year reign as Tigers Coach.

The Queanbeyan Tigers Senior Grade Coach Mark Armstrong will step down from the position he has held for the past nine years at the completion of the 2010 AFL Canberra season. He advised players and other coaching staff of his decision not to continue in the role for another year on Monday evening.

Family commitments are now a major priority for this hugely popular and well respected individual who joined the Tigers Club in 1993 as a seventeen year old and has since played 319 1st Grade games for the Club.

He intends staying actively involved with the organisation. Although sceptical about his playing days he hasn’t completely ruled out a return to the playing arena next year.

A large gathering of players and officials were in attendance to hear one of the most respected player/ coaches ever in the organisation announce a difficult decision – one of which he officially advised Club Management last week.

Club Chairman Bob Gibbs spoke after the announcement was made to the players. He spoke highly of the respect Mark held in the Tigers Organisation and the commitment, loyalty and dedication he had provided the Club – not only during his reign as Coach but also as a player during his 319 1st grade games. Gibbs said “the position of senior grade coach will be discussed at a special board meeting on Wednesday evening but what ever the decision, a replacement for “Merv” would be very difficult considering the outstanding job he has done with the Tigers Club”.

The large group of players and support staff at the announcement of Merv's decision.

Tigers General Manager Ron Fowlie has seen the development a young Mark Armstrong from 1993 through to the current day with his heavy influence on family commitment and values combine with his passion for the Tigers Club. “No one is more passionate about the Tigers Club. His influence over players / officials and volunteers has been outstanding throughout his time as a player and coach of this club” Fowlie said.

His presence as Coach will be sorely missed but the Tigers are hopeful that his family circumstance may allow him to at play for another season as he closes in on the League and Club Record of games played by another Tiger Legend Tony Wynd – that being 347 1st Grade games.