Tara Murray
Rupertswood is on the hunt for a new coach with premiership winning coach Nick Ash standing down.
Ash, who has been senior coach since 2018, decided several weeks ago that he wouldn’t be coaching next year with the club announcing the decision on Tuesday.
Sharks president Brad Pietromonaco said Ash had decided to step away from coaching to focus on his family and work.
He said the decision came as a shock to the club.
“The club is very grateful that Ashy has given us six years of assistant coaching and senior coaching of football.
“To Nick, Trude and his little girl Lily, the Rupertswood club thank you very much for all your hard effort and time.
“Both Nick and the club are happy with the decision and look forward to ashy being around the club in the future.”
Pietromonaco said Ash, who would still be around the club and help out, had come straight out of a playing career into coaching, so he wanted to step back and take a break.
Ash led the side to its first senior Riddell District Football League senior premiership last season, as the club had all three football and four netball sides made grand finals.
Pietromonaco said they had hoped Ash would at least continue on coaching next season, with the club putting in an application to move across to the Essendon District Football League.
That application is with AFL Victoria after the RDFL blocked them leaving the league.
Pietromonaco said they were still in negotiations to get the move across the line.
The Sharks have advertised the senior role, reserves and under-19 football coaching roles and senior netball coaching roles.
