Way back in December, as Longwood geared up for the 2022 Kyabram District League season, president Ricki Shiner said his club was “at the last hurdle”, with the appointment of a new senior coach the key to unlocking the next phase of its rebuild.
Now, some 10 months later, the Redlegs appear poised to jump over that metaphorical hurdle, announcing on Tuesday night that Jordan Formosa will lead the senior football side for the next two seasons.
Formosa, who currently plays for Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo Football Netball League, was one of many coaching aspirants from across the country to put his hat in the ring for the Longwood job following the club’s social media campaign to fill the position.
The standout candidate due to his willingness to develop young talent and genuine care for the community of a football netball club, Formosa said he was incredibly excited to take on the challenge of spearheading Longwood’s on-field rebuild.
“It is great (to take over as coach of Longwood). I can’t wait to get down to the club and I am very much looking forward to the challenge of bringing the club some on-field success,” Formosa said.
“I saw the promotional video online and had a mutual friend down there as well, so ended up getting in contact with Ricki (Shiner) and we had a few meetings and it all went from there.
“Longwood is very well set up off the field and that’s what drew me to the role. They have a lot of people who are passionate about the club and I really want to get the best for that strong local community.”
Relatively new to the coaching scene, Formosa had his first taste of leading a team in 2021.
He led Heathcote District league outfit Huntly’s under-18s side to an undefeated campaign.
Now given the chance to coach at senior level, he is determined to take the opportunity with both hands and build a culture of sustained success at Longwood.
“It is going to be a different challenge and something I will need to adjust to, but I am super excited to be coaching a senior football team,” he said.
“For me it will be all about introducing good structures, high training standards and see how we go from there.
“I’m working on bringing a few players with me to the club as well and am probably looking at maybe 10 to 15 guys, which is exciting.
“Hopefully we can entice a real buy-in from the community to come out to training and start fresh leading into the new season.”
Formosa takes over the senior role from beloved figure Michael Galvin, who took the job on prior to the 2019 season with the club at its darkest hour following the departure of 19 senior players.
Club president Shiner said Galvin’s legacy would not be forgotten as he vacates the senior coaching role for personal reasons.
“’Galvo’ took us on when we were on the canvas and begging for a coach to take us on,” Shiner said.
“He walked in at a time where we’d just lost 19 senior players and just the way he brought the whole group together and got in numbers that we could get through the year, we couldn’t be more thankful for what he has given to the club and wish him all the best.”
For Formosa, the job of bringing success to Longwood certainly won’t be an easy one, with the seniors not registering a victory since 2019.
He said the aim next year was to get back on the winners’ list and hopefully produce its most successful season since joining the Kyabram District League in 2010.
“I know three games is the most they’ve won in a season for over a decade, so hopefully we can top that,” he said.
“I think the reserves will probably improve a bit quicker than the seniors. The added depth, I think, will spark a quick turnaround in the ressies, while the seniors will be a bit more of a slow burn.
“That three-game mark is my goal, though, and hopefully we can build a strong foundation for the club moving forward past 2023.”