Rick Horwood has stepped away from coaching the Sunbury Lions after six years at the helm.
Horwood, who took over coaching the Lions in 2011, led the club to four Ballarat Football League grand finals, including one premiership.
After finishing sixth the last two years, the Lions made the grand final this year, which they ultimately lost to Bacchus Marsh.
Horwood said that he had decided that both the club and players would benefit from a new voice. After the grand final, Horwood said he had wanted to coach on, but had since made what he thought was the right decision.
He said while the 2012 premiership would always standout, he said the work done to rebuild the side after a number of senior players left at the end of 2013 was something close to his heart.
“I’m also extremely proud, that after three successive grand final appearances that I was part of a rebuild of the football club in 2014 and 2015, when we gave significant opportunities to the younger home grown Sunbury players – many of which were still eligible for the under-18’s and a vast majority 21 and under.
“I firmly believe that this initiative will hold the Sunbury Football Club in good stead for years to come, with our 2016 grand final appearance just the beginning of better things to come.”
Horwood leaves the Lions with a win-loss record of 70 per cent, with the club reaching finals every year. Of the coaches in the BFL this year, Horwood had been the longest serving coach.
He said he hoped he had left the club is better shape than when he started and had nothing but praise for the club and players.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the committees for my appointments and support throughout my time and even though i am reluctant to single out individuals i must thank Braken Fenton and Chris McDonough for their tireless work and support of myself over the last six years,” he said.
“Most of all I would also like to thank the players , particularly the dozen or so that have endured my entire six years as senior coach and just hope they [with the entire 2011-2016 playing groups] can take something out of my coaching that will benefit them.”
Horwood said he was unsure whether he would coach elsewhere next season but he had received offers from other clubs.
