It might be 18 months until the Surf Coast Suns officially take the field in the Bellarine League, but the region’s newest senior club in 40 years is getting busy preparing for its debut.
The Suns have this morning (Thursday) officially opened applications for its senior coaching position.
President Jay Williams believes the timing is right to test the market as the 2024 season draws to a conclusion.
“Leading into finals this season, it gives aspiring applicants something to think about,” he said.
“If they aren’t in finals, or they are contracted for next year or not, this gives them time to think and plan before switching off for the year.
“And it gives us plenty of time to have a look at a number of different people pre-finals, post-finals, even after Christmas to select the right person.
“I think having 12 months after it’s announced formally gives whoever it’s going to be a lengthy period of time to know our place, our people, and, most importantly, recruiting players and staff around them.”
Surf Coast isn’t locked into a particular type of coach, with Williams open to playing or non-playing.
However, the Suns want whoever is appointed not to be involved with another club in 2025.
“It would be unfair for us to look at someone who is coaching next year because it isn’t very helpful to the team they are coaching, and it probably isn’t giving us the time that we need into building us,” Williams said.
“I think it’s a key point that they’re not coaching next year.”
Williams says the Suns are opening to make an appointment earlier than the end of February cutoff for applications if they find the right person for the role.
“If you find the right person, you need to go with them pretty quickly,” Williams said.
“Reality is, they’re not going to hand around for too long; someone will snap them up – whether it’s us or someone else.
“We’ll make sure we tick the boxes in doing our due diligence to look at all applicants in front of us at that time and consider them appropriately.
“But, if we see someone that fits the bill straight off the bat, and it feels right, I think we’ll secure them pretty quickly.”
Surf Coast is yet to receive confirmation of what concessions it will receive relating to player points and salary cap in its first season.
However, Williams is confident the club “has enough of an idea” of what AFL Barwon has planned for when the Suns speak with applicants.
“I expect that to be formalised before the end of this year,” he said.
“I’ll be making sure we’ve got that information fairly soon.”
The application period will remain open until the end of February next year, giving the appointee 12 months to prepare for Surf Coast’s inaugural season.
For more details, contact Jay Williams at 0417 578 740 or president@surfcoastsuns.com
