The Courier |
NEWLYN has joined the list of Central Highlands Football League clubs on the hunt for a coach following news that Adam Sewell and Chris Gardner will step down from the role at the end of the season.
The joint coaches announced their intentions to the playing group following last Saturday’s big win over Illabarook.
Gardner, 27, had earlier indicated to the club he would not be continuing in the position a few weeks ago, pointing to commitments outside of football as a reason for his departure.
“I want to pursue my coaching at some point in the future, by all means, but I’d like to do that at a higher league level, learning some more before I take on another full time gig myself,” Gardner said.
“I have learnt an awful lot and thoroughly enjoyed my couple of years out at Newlyn.”
Gardner’s declaration left Sewell to decide whether he would remain at the helm next year.
But after plenty of thought, Sewell said he simply didn’t have the time to commit to the job for a third straight season.
“I didn’t think I could devote the time that was going to be required to that role,” said Sewell, who played in the Cats’ 2003 premiership before a six-year stint with Ballarat.
“The only decision I’ve made at the moment is not to coach again and I’ll look at where I’m going to play footy over the next month or so.”
Sewell, 28, refused to rule out a return as Newlyn coach in the future.
“Not at all. It’s been a great club to me,” he said.
“For me, that’s not the end of my coaching career at Newlyn Football Club.”
The pair took over from former coach Shaun Smith for the 2012 season, guiding the club to a breakthrough finals appearance before a disappointing 2013 campaign that has netted just six wins. Sewell has performed as a playing coach during both seasons, with Gardner, a former North Ballarat Rebel, being his eyes and ears on the sidelines.
Newlyn president Gary Lindsay said the club was pleased with what Sewell and Gardner had achieved over the past two seasons and had wanted them to stay on in the role.
“It’s disappointing, but we’ve got to move on and we are in the hunt for a new coach,” Lindsay said.
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