The Courier |
BALLARAT Swans have injected new blood into their coaching panel with the addition of experienced coaches Adam Sewell and Shane Skontra.
Sewell returns to the Swans as senior assistant coach to the reappointed Ash Baker after two years at the helm of Newlyn in the Central Highlands Football League (CHFL).
Skontra, who coached Waubra to two CHFL flags, takes on the role of director of coaching and player development with the Ballarat Football League (BFL) club.
Sewell, 28, played in Ballarat’s 2008 premiership, and is a two-time best and fairest with the Swans. He was assistant to Shane Hutchinson at the Swans in 2011 before his return to home club Newlyn.
While coaching Newlyn, Sewell also captained the AFL Victoria Country second-tier team for two years, including the 2012 Australian Country Championships.
Skontra, 36, returns to a club role a year after stepping away from Waubra.
He took Waubra to two premierships in two stints as coach after playing with East Point in the BFL.
He joined Waubra as a joint coach with Michael Hynes in 2003, and led the Kangaroos to the 2006 CHFL premiership.
He took a two-year break from the job at the end of 2007, resuming in 2010.
Skontra took Waubra to a second premiership in 2011 before stepping down at the end of last year owing to family commitments.
He did not walk completely away from the game though.
Skontra continued his development as a coach by remaining in charge of the CHFL representative squad for a second year in a row.
Skontra fills the position initially held down by the legendary John Northey at Ballarat.
Swans president Shane Manley said the club was delighted to have a person of the calibre of Skontra on board.
“The club is working hard to set itself up for the challenges of being successful in a very strong Ballarat Football League over the long term,” he said
“Bringing a person of the quality of Shane into the club to work with all of our coaches, and to implement individual player development programs, will help take Ballarat to the next level in 2014 and beyond.”
Manley said Sewell was a highly respected player and leader who was an integral member of their club for many years.
“We are delighted that he has decided to return,” he said. “With 95 per cent of our playing list having personally committed to next year, and with the addition of Shane and Adam, we are already well on the way to achieving our recruiting objectives in this off-season.”
“There is a strong likelihood of several more quality recruits coming on board within the next few weeks, which will put us in a great position for the beginning of pre-season and ready to build towards a successful 2014 campaign.”
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