MATT Hard’s tenure as Coolamon coach will finish at the season’s end.
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Coolamon and Hard have decided to go their separate ways once the Hoppers’ 2017 campaign comes to an end.
The decision brings to a close one of the longest associations between club and coach in Riverina League history, with Hard in his 10th season in charge at Coolamon.
The decision was announced to Coolamon’s playing group at training on Tuesday night, early enough for both parties to work out which direction they will go in 2018.
Coolamon president Derek Owens and Hard said the decision was mutually agreed upon and in the best interests of both parties.
“I sat down with the club at the start of the year about where things were at and we agreed that we would get through this period and then it would be time for a change,” Hard said.
“We spoke again recently and agreed that was the way to go.
“While the club is in good shape it’s good timing for them and I to move on and work out the next phase.”
Owens said the club had nothing but respect and admiration for the job Hard has done.
“Matt’s got that living legend status as to what he’s been able to achieve at Coolamon, not only being a premiership player but he was also a non-playing premiership coach, which there wouldn’t be many of those around,” Owens said.
“But at the same time, after such a long period of time at the one place, there’s usually an expiry date, even for blokes like Kevin Sheedy.
“We just want to thank Matt from the bottom of our heart, from a club perspective, for everything he’s put in, what he’s done and hopefully we can have one last run with him.”
The Hoppers sit sixth, one game plus percentage outside the top five, at the halfway mark of the season.
Hard, Coolamon’s 2013 premiership coach, is unsure what the future holds for him.
“That’s what I will spend the next bit of time working out,” he said.
“Footy has always been apart of my life, I’ve spent 12 years senior coaching and it’s something I love doing but I’ll see what happens.”
Coolamon are keen to secure a playing coach from outside the region to replace Hard.