Sport
Reign of Orr continues: Shepparton Golf bowls icon Brad Orr set for second coaching stint
The 2022 Allan Matheson Shield grand final signified the end of a dynasty in Goulburn Valley bowls.
Shepparton Golf — which had won six straight premierships — was finally knocked off its perch by Tallygaroopna, and the mastermind behind Golf’s legendary run, Brad Orr, had officially handed over the reins to the returning Brett Foley.
The entire bowls community thought this would finally spark a permanent shift in the landscape of the competition.
Fast forward 11 months, however, and things did not exactly pan out that way.
Looking at the current weekend pennant division one ladder, Shepparton Golf holds its customary position atop the table with a 9-1 record.
And on Tuesday night the club confirmed a coaching change, with Orr to resume top duties come the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
This comes after Foley stood down from the role due to the heavy time commitments associated with his new position as senior coach of Kyabram District League football club Murchison-Toolamba.
Having spent this season without the burden of coaching, Orr said he was refreshed and excited at the prospect of a second stint at the helm.
“I feel very refreshed after 12 months away from coaching, I’m not really digesting the results and the draws as much, so I feel much fresher compared to previous seasons,” Orr said.
“With Brett taking on the football coaching he is a bit time-poor now and said he wanted to step aside, so the club approached me about going back to the way things used to be and I was keen for the challenge.
“After the 12 months away from coaching, I am refreshed, happy and raring to go.”
When it came to the timing of announcing the change, Orr said the club was keen to have its coaching structure locked in before the off-season.
“People don’t try and start their recruiting when the season is done, it usually all kicks off in the back end of the season and clubs are targeting players around now,” he said.
“So once Brett had made his intentions clear the club was keen to get something locked in quickly so the members have a bit of clarity on what next year and the future holds at the club.”
While he has not been pulling the strings this season, Orr has still been pivotal to Golf’s success as one of its four division one skips.
He said the 2022-23 season had been a highly enjoyable one and he had loved being part of a new-look Shepparton Golf side.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed taking a step back and just being a player,” he said.
“Brett has done a great job as coach, bringing his Premier League experience and a metro game style, it has been very refreshing and the guys have adapted very well, he has certainly brought a lot of excitement to the club.
“We are in a great position on the ladder at the moment and I’m excited to see what this finals series holds, and send Brett’s coaching career out on a high.”
Coaching has always been a role Orr has thrived in, with his traits on and off the floor making him a perfect figurehead for the club.
He explained what was so special about being the coach of Shepparton Golf’s division one squad.
“To be honest, Golf is just such a great club which is why I love coaching the division one team so much,” he said.
“I’ve got a great rapport with the members and am really looking forward to getting back into it and leading the squad again.”
As for whether he can match the six straight premierships he achieved in his first coaching stint, Orr said he would have to wait and see.
“Obviously you go into a job trying to win them, but we will just have to wait and see on that one,” he said.
“As long as the members are happy and the club is heading in the right direction we will see the rewards that come from it.”