Tara Murray
North Footscray believes it’s a unique time to open up its senior coaching role for next year’s Western Region Football League division 2 season.
The club had appointed Damien Zanic for the 2020 season, which ultimately didn’t go ahead due to COVID-19, but has decided to look around for a new coach next year.
President Jason McCluskey said they thought they needed to advertise the role with all the uncertainty surrounding football as a whole.
“We had a bit of a review with where we are at and it sort of dawned on myself and the footy operations manager there is so much coaching movement going on at the moment at higher levels.
“People are falling out of systems and people have had a year off given COVID that might not be going around next year as a player, but might be looking at aspects of coaching.
“We thought given the unusual circumstances and that we’ve got a list that has been developed by our own operations manager and we don’t have an affiliation with a coach, that we would sort of be negligent not to test the market.
“It might sound like a bold move, but it’s different times.”
McCluskey said they thought the role was an attractive one with the playing group having no real affiliation with an incumbent coach.
“We are quite excited by the prospect of getting out there and taking up the opportunity, we feel it’s a good one.”
McCluskey said that Zanic was naturally disappointed with the club’s decision. He said Zanic had indicated that he would have a strong think about reapplying for the role.
McCluskey said that work was going on to sign the existing playing group and add some new recruits for next season.
“It’s been really positive,” he said. “There’s re-signings as we speak and new recruits being signed.
“There’s six or seven new faces that signed this year, who are yet to show their wares for any coach at the club.
“We just signed another player who is brand new to the club and has a few mates who are coming to the club as well.
“With discussions with players, the playing group is ready to go around again.
“We’re really excited and it gives us the opportunity to continue to build. Off field with our new committee and we’ve got some terrific things and terrific ideas that are going.”
Anyone interested in coaching can send applications to nffncadm@gmail.com. Applications close October 8.
