Tara Murray
New Rupertswood coach Arron Bray hadn’t planned on coaching again.
And if he did, there was only one club that he thought he would consider returning to the coaching box for. That club was Rupertswood.
A throwaway line on the golf course was enough to set things in motion, with Bray appointed the club’s coach to lead them into the Essendon District Football League for the first time.
Bray, who previously coached Broadford in the Riddell District Football League, said he was excited by the role and the future of the club that he once coached against.
He replaces premiership winning coach Nick Ash who stood down from the role.
“Four years down the track I didn’t think I would be coaching them after plotting their downfall in a couple of finals series,” Bray said.
“I had been spending the last few years relaxing and fishing. I didn’t think about coaching again.
“I was playing golf at my local club and said the one club to get me back into coaching would be Rupo.
“My golfing partner then went around the corner and called the Rupo president and said they want to speak to you.”
Bray, who still lives in Broadford, said the club’s program and strong juniors were big factors in his decision.
He said they also seem like a professional club.
“Coaching some of the players in the interleague, I had some access to the players.
“I had built up a bit of a relationship and they knew a bit about me and I knew a bit about them.”
Bray said he had a bit of knowledge about the EDFL competition for many years ago.
The club made the switch to the EDFL for next season, having played in the RDFL.
The Sharks will play in division 1 next year, which includes the Sunbury Kangaroos, another side which Bray coached against in the RDFL.
Among his opposition coaches is Westmeadows coach, Mo Kaakour, who he coached at Broadford.
Bray said he had started to speak to the playing group.
“I think a fair few of the premiership side has re-signed,” he said. “I’ll bring in two or three players if I can, but I haven’t got that far.”
It’s still unknown when the Sharks can start training or even meet the coach, with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Bray said they would keep adapting to the situation, with reports a few of the boys are already doing their own bits and pieces.
Bray said they were hoping to make a bit of a stamp in division.
“When you are coaching any side, you want to make finals and want to be competitive.”
Meanwhile, the Sharks have reappointed Michael Saker and Kaila Ingham as their netball coaches for next season.
