By Tara Murray
Among the celebrations for the Sunshine Eagles after they won the Baseball Victoria summer league premiership, there was a special award for coach Stuart Clayton.
While Baseball Victoria announced Clayton as its coach of the year on social media in the wrap up of the season following all the grand finals, Clayton found out on the day of the premiership.
“It was a very good honour and I was rapt when I saw that,” Clayton said. “They gave it to our secretary Griffin [Weir] at the grand final.
“They gave it to me at the club while we were celebrating and it was a great honour.”
Clayton said receiving the award was a cherry on the top for what he was a record breaking season.
“I never even imagined winning this,” he said. “To be honest, the coach is only as good as the players you have.
“For the work you put in, it’s nice. I was stunned.”
Clayton was the only player from their previous premiership 37 years ago that was still involved in the club this season.
He said the coach of the year honour, which he won for the first time, was up there with his career highlights.
“I’ve won a few awards at the club,” he said. “I’ve got life membership and last year I was inducted into the Sunshine Hall of Fame.
“This year we won the premiership as well. The coaches award tops it off.”
While the off season has just begun, Clayton is already looking ahead to next year at the Eagles.
Clayton said he doesn’t plan on changing anything.
“I’ll keep going the way I’m going,” he said. “It’s just something great to get.
“Hopefully all the boys are coming back next year and we can push for another one.”
