Docherty was signed to the club in 2021 as the senior assistant coach following a short stint playing at Corowa Rutherglen in 2020.
The former Ballarat and Mornington Peninsula Nepean talent said it was an “honour” to take the helm as following a great year with the club.
“I’m very excited to take on the role of senior coach for such a great club,” Docherty said.
“I’m grateful to have spent the last 12 months getting to know everyone and it’s put me in good stead for the next season.
“CDHBU has a proud history and many passionate supporters, so we will work to make the club and the community proud.”
Docherty said while it was disappointing the seniors didn’t make finals this year, his side certainly had the capability to get there next year.
“We weren’t too far off the pace this year,” the 35-year-old said.
“In 2020, before the season was called off, CDHBU were in fifth place on the ladder. There’s more work to do but making finals next year is certainly an achievable goal.
“The next step now is to put some pride back in the jumper.
“The supporters who turn up week after week certainly deserve to see their senior team in finals. They are there for us regardless of where we are at on the ladder but to being in contention will just lift the club and the culture so much more.”
Docherty said players have already started light training ahead of preseason.
“I think that shows how committed our boys are already,” he said.
“Preseason starts towards the end of November, and we are looking forward getting a good block of training in before Christmas.”
Docherty, who works as a community engagement manager at GrainCorp, moved to Corowa from Melbourne in 2020 with his partner Renee Lavis. The couple have two children Freddie and Lou and are enjoying raising their family in a country town.
“There’s a lot to love about the Corowa community. Being a relaxed country town, it’s great place to raise kids. We don’t miss the busy lifestyle we had before we moved here,” he said.
“The people here are incredible too. You walk up the street and everyone says hello. It’s such a great thing about country towns.
“Renee and I are getting married next month, so there’s certainly a lot of excitement happening at the moment.”
CDHBU football manager Paul Rippingale said the club pleased to sign on Docherty to the top job and confident in his ability to continue to build club into a highly competitive side.
“We couldn’t be happier with Kyle,” Rippingale sad.
“He came to us and said he was willing to take the next step with the senior side. Being around the club for the last twelve months, he understands where the club is at, and where we want to go.
“He has a young family, so to raise his hand and take on the senior coaching role is very much appreciated.
“He’s well respected around the club and by playing group. We are very excited to see where he can take the seniors next year.”
Rippingale said the club had already put the wheels in motion to ensure a successful 2023 season.
“We are very proud of the culture here at CDHBU. It’s a huge family club and we are pleased to see players already committing to 2023,” he said.
“We have great community support so to put the hard yards in now will mean we have a highly competitive side next year.”
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