Sandy Bay's Kerry Doran has had a long involvement with football and seems to have served the game in one capacity or another for almost 40 years. There have been few players of his skill at TFL level and it became obvious from an early age that Doran was destined to be a star. Unlike many, Doran has put back into the game, more than he has taken out.
Kerry Doran started senior footy as an eighteen
year old in 1965. He finished an impressive fourth in the William Leitch medal that year to win the TFL's best first year player award. What seemed like a flying start to a
promising career was soon nipped in the bud. Doran, like many of his age, was whisked away from home life for two years of National Service, which included a stint of almost 12 months in Vietnam.
This experience was a culture shock, however Doran took but one season to acclimatise. In 1969 he resumed where he left off and was selected to represent Tasmania in the national carnival in Adelaide. Over the next four
seasons he made nine appearances for the State, winning the Lefroy Medal in 1971. While all this was going on he played with Sandy Bay's victorious 1971 & 1972 premiership sides. Here, under the guidance of Rod Olssen, he starred at Centre half back. A sure mark,
Doran possessed excellent kicking skills and was ever reliable in defence. He missed the 1973 final due to a knee injury and soon after took over the coaching role at Kingston. Three years there and another two at Sorell saw him move to Hobart as assistant coach under
Bruce Greenhill. From there, Doran started coaching juniors with Lenah Valley. There he became involved with what he claims is his greatest achievement in football. His son, who had been involved at junior level, started school with New Town
High. Doran took over as Grade 7 coach and the raw boned group hardly won a game. They progressed however, and took the premiership in grade 9 & went undefeated in year 10 to again take the flag. Much to the delight and satisfaction of Doran
and the hard working parents who supported him, some of these lads went on to play senior football with statewide clubs.
Hard opponents of his era included John Bingley from Clarence, Hobart's Kerry Wilson and North Hobart's "Cozza" Moore. Among his team mates none were more skillful
than Graeme Mackey, while Roger Steele's two William Leitch medals speak for themself. Mick Elliot was a wizard around the goals and who better at Full Back than "the fireman" - Barry Joyce.
Doran, formerly an employee of Telstra, is presently the State Secretary of the Communication Workers Union. Married to Elaine they have two children: Fiona and Adam.
Fiona was a star at netball and has represented Australia at Under 21 level. She is presently the Captain of the Tasmanian Southern Lights netball team. She
is playing coach of Hyundai Netball Club based in Hobart. Adam took to football and played with the Southern Cats
after a junior career with Sandy Bay. He now plays for Kingborough Tigers. Work commitments curtail Kerry Doran's leisure activities these days, however he follows the
Kingborough Tigers when he can, and manages to fit in a round of golf occasionally.
Doran supported the Statewide League at senior level however considered the cost of the reserve and junior grades too excessive for our state. The "seconds" he says, should be deleted and the under age
regionalised. Otherwise clubs will eventually be unable to support a competition with large overheads requiring so much financial backing.
Doran is currently the president of the Sandy Bay past players association, a role he hopes to hand to John Kuipers in the very near future. Kerry Doran has served with distinction, his family, his country and is
still serving a sport he has loved for nearly fifty years.
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