Murchison-Toolamba has acquired the services of one of the region’s most accomplished bowls stars to help propel it to Kyabram District League premiership glory in 2023 — announcing Brett Foley as its new senior coach.
Foley, who also assumed the coaching role at Shepparton Golf Bowls Club for the upcoming Allan Matheson Shield season, will be hoping his bowls nous transfers to the football field as he takes over one of the most talented lists in the league.
The Hoppers recently played off in the grand final, losing to Lancaster by 10 points in torrential conditions, and will be desperate to take that all important next step in 2023.
This coaching change comes after Nick Ioranni stepped down from the position following three seasons in which he transformed Murchison-Toolamba into one of the competition’s top contenders.
Embarking on an exciting new chapter in his sporting journey, Foley said becoming a senior football coach was a long-time goal.
“Coaching footy has always been a dream of mine,” Foley said.
“I haven’t played footy for a while after doing my ACL and then bowls sort of took over my life, but I’ve always been passionate about footy and wanted to get back involved.
“So when the job became available at Murchison-Toolamba, through my good connections with people at the club, I put my hand up and was lucky enough to get the nod.”
While he is better known for his feats on the bowls green, Foley has a wealth of experience as a coach and player in football.
Plying his trade for Shepparton and Shepparton East as well as Melbourne-based side Rupertswood, he has played in several senior grand finals and was part of the Eagles’ premiership triumph in 2010.
As a coach, Foley reached the top of the mountain as under-18 coach of Geelong and District League club Werribee Central and has also had a stint as thirds coach at Shepparton East.
Throw in his coaching roles with Melbourne Premier bowls club Altona and Shepparton Golf and Foley said his wide range of experience would help him get the most out of the group at Murchison-Toolamba.
“What I bring is an outsider view, experience in another sport, but I think I have a lot of footy nous and am a bit of a sports head,” he said.
“I think the club was excited to get someone in who is not just a local, but someone who has been around and experienced different things which can add a fresh perspective to the group.”
As for his expectations for the group and what it can achieve next season, Foley said the focus would be on putting in the hard work on and off the field and the results would take care of themselves.
“I followed them closely this year and the club has a great culture at the moment and the guys are itching to go one better next year,” he said.
“There will be plenty of hard work out at Murch over the pre-season, my values are honesty, trust and hard work and I will be looking to instil that into the boys over the summer.
“It is not easy to get to grand finals, especially with such a big and even comp, so it will take a lot of hard work, but overall our aim is to get back there and hopefully go one better.”