The man behind Nathalia’s Northern Country Women’s League dynasty is stepping down.
Two-time premiership-winning Purples coach Simon Quarrell has called it a day, leaving the role six years on from first joining as coach in the inaugural NCWL tilt.
His co-coach in 2023, Alyx Jorgensen, will take over full-time from Quarrell as the long-serving Nathalia figure departs heavy-heartedly.
“It’s something that I’ve become quite passionate about; I’ve been there from the start and what we’ve achieved in such a short amount of time, it’s very hard,” Quarrell said.
“It was probably one of the harder decisions I’ve had to make and I still go ‘have I made the right decision?’
“It actually gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.”
Quarrell cited work and family commitments as major reasons behind his decision.
The Gagliardi Scott realtor said NCWL’s Sunday slate made it challenging to spend time at home on weekends, a non-negotiable as a husband and father.
“I’ve got a pretty busy work life being a real estate agent,” he said.
“With women’s footy on Sunday, it makes it very hard to juggle family life at the same time, which is probably the biggest thing.
“If we got guaranteed Friday night footy, I’d still be coaching.
“I’d find a way to make Friday night work. They can’t guarantee every Friday night, so I’ve got to put family first.”
Quarrell isn’t leaving the Purples high and dry upon departure.
In fact, he’s not leaving Nathalia entirely.
He said his hand would be the first to go up when water or messages needed running, as he has held one role or another within the club since 2006 and assumes this won’t change going forward.
But the thought of stepping down is not a new one.
Quarrell indicated he’s deliberated on the decision, but felt now was the right time with Jorgensen ready to take over steering the wheel.
During the past six years the Purples went from a wooden spoon in their maiden season to back-to-back premierships in 2021 and 2022 under Quarrell’s guidance.
Though the grand final went begging in 2023, he has a bank of memories to cherish as a new dawn breaks at Nathalia.
“There are so many to pinpoint, but a few really exciting ones would be getting the juniors going again this year, that was a highlight,” he said.
“Obviously we didn’t win the grand final this year, but overall we had a successful year within the club.
“I don’t like to single out anyone, but I was pretty damn excited when Abby Favaro told me she would come and play for Nathalia.
“That was pretty exciting, being a well known Nathalia name coming back to play in my first year as coach.”