St Kevin’s, Edgar part ways

St Kevin’s Old Boys and senior coach, Jon Edgar, have parted ways on the eve of their Round 13 clash against Collegians after an agreement for the 2017 season could not yet be made between the coach and club’s committee.

In a statement released by Club President, Paul Murphy, Edgar made the decision to stand down as the current process the club has in place would not allow them to undertake such a commitment and reach an agreement at this time of the year.

“As a committee it was decided to part ways now to give the club time to tackle the arduous task of finding a replacement for a coach of his calibre,” Murphy said.

“Jon has been a tremendous acquisition by the Club and contributed greatly to its recent success.”

Edgar joined St Kevin’s in 2014 and was senior co-coach during their 20-0 premiership last year. He admits he is extremely proud to say he has helped reshape the culture of SKOB on the back of decades of near misses.

“To instil a structure of success and empower the playing group to believe beyond what was, for many, previously thought possible,” Edgar said in a statement.

“I understand the club’s requirement to strengthen its leadership team to be a powerful challenger going forward. As such, due to current demands professionally and with family I feel I am unable to meet the demands of being senior coach at VAFA Premier level.”

St Kevin’s currently sit in eighth position on the William Buck premier ladder with five wins from their 12 outings.

Michael Christian and Daniel Harford will take the reigns as interim coaches for the remainder of the season.

All from within the VAFA thank Jon for the service he has provided to St Kevin’s and the Association, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Read the full statements from Paul below:

“It is with great sadness that I announce that senior coach Jon Edgar is leaving SKOBFC.

After many discussions with Jon about the future of the club, Jon required a commitment for the 2017 season from the Committee due to the demands he was facing from his job and from his family.

The process the club has in place would not allow the club to undertake such a commitment at this time of the year.  As such, Jon indicated that he would not be able to coach the side in 2017.  

As a committee it was decided to part ways now to give the club time to tackle the arduous task of finding a replacement for a coach of his calibre.

Jon first joined St Kevin’s Old Boys in 2014.  His first task was to establish a formal leadership group that would drive the standards both on and off the field driving the Club towards sustained success in Premier Division.  Additionally, the program would identify emerging leaders amongst the group and provide them with the guidance and knowledge required to become successful leaders.

Jon then introduced the Club to Peta Searle, who came on-board as an Assistant Coach. Jon continued to assist Senior Coach Daniel Harford, helping lift SKOB into the finals that year.

With a year under his belt he was promoted to Senior Co-coach where he played a pivotal role, particularly with the Club’s recruiting drive, ultimately culminating into the perfect season that was 2015.

Our introduction to Premier Division this year has been a tough one, as it should be given we compete in the state’s premier local football league.  The season thus far has been peppered with issues, but as senior coach, Jon has fronted every challenge.  The win / loss ratio of 5 and 7 is certainly not indicative of the huge effort that has gone in to the season thus far.

Jon has been a tremendous acquisition by the Club and contributed greatly to its recent success.  Personally I’d like to thank Jon and wish him the best.

Michael Christian and Daniel Harford will be interim coaches whilst the Football Management Sub Committee will go ahead with the task of finding a permanent replacement for the 2017 season and beyond.”

– St Kevin’s Old Boys President, Paul Murphy.