Tongala Football Netball Club has invited applications for the role of senior coach in 2024, the first Murray Football League club to advertise the role for next season.
Current coach Matt Daniel took on the role from Jordan Souter for the 2023 campaign and Tongala president Darren Maloney said Daniel had flagged his intention to be involved at the club next year.
A mixture of work commitments and getting a head start on 2024 preparations laid the groundwork for Daniel and the club to begin the search.
“He’s indicated he would love to keep playing,” Maloney said.
“Matt’s a builder by trade. The time and effort to compete at Murray league standard ... there’s a fair bit of time involved on the coaching side of it.
“It was just basically putting out an expression of interest seeing if there’s anyone even interested in doing that.”
Maloney said the role could be carried out in a playing or non-playing capacity depending on the applicant, but the sole focus was simply on getting the process under way.
“There might be a young fella out there with coaching aspirations who goes ‘you know what, I wouldn't mind trying that’,” he said.
“There’s no use coming to these decisions in September, October, or November, it’s just too late to organise yourself for the following season.
“Most clubs these days know what they’re doing next year by this stage.”
Applications for the role are being taken by email at tongalafootballnetballclub@outlook.com or by football manager Paul Cox on 0408 505 508.
The Blues have made every finals series since 2019, including a remarkable jump from 13th in 2018 to the grand final the following season. They last tasted flag success in 1984.
Tongala currently sits 10th on the MFL ladder with a 3-8 record, four games outside the top six.
An exodus of its experienced core prior to the start of the season has seen the side slide down the ladder, forcing a mini-rebuild of its list.
The Blues host seventh-place Finley at Tongala Recreation Reserve in round 13 this Saturday, June 24, from 2pm.