Adelaide Footy League division one club Port District appoints Josh Ramsey as new coach

A division one Adelaide Footy League club has named a new coach as it attempts to push up the ladder following a lean eight-year run.

Port District no longer wants to be “making up the numbers” in the Adelaide Footy League’s top flight, according to new coach Josh Ramsey.

The Magpies announced on Saturday the West Adelaide assistant coach would take the top job at the division one club.

He replaced Port great Simon Maddern, who was at the helm for the past four seasons before stepping down in August.

Ramsey said the club’s desire to improve and succeed drew him to the role.

Josh Ramsey (middle) has been named the new coach of division one Adelaide Footy League club Port District. Picture: Port District Football Club

Ramsey takes over at Port District from Simon Maddern (pictured) who stepped down at the end of the recent campaign. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The Magpies have played finals just twice in the past eight seasons, finishing between fifth and seventh on the ladder every year since returning to the top flight in 2014.

Their last A grade flag came in division two in 2007.

“That was probably the gravitating factor for me, getting involved with good people who want to bring success to the footy club,” Ramsey said.

“Although they were content with the process, the club wasn’t happy with those results.

“Rather than making up the numbers the goal is to become one of the really successful teams in the competition.

“What that looks like we obviously won’t know until we get stuck into it, but what I can say in terms of the people I’ve been dealing with is that they’re striving for sustained success.”

Ramsey has spent the past three seasons in the SANFL system with West Adelaide, first as reserves coach before graduating to league assistant under Brad Gotch this year.

He arrives at District with a penchant for success.

Josh Ramsey in action for Cove. He captained the SFL club for nine seasons. Picture: Stephen Laffer

A key forward in his playing days, Ramsey skippered his home club Cove – in the Southern Football League – to a premiership in 2008 and was named captain of the Cobras’ “Greatest Team” in 2010.

From there work took him to the Yorke Peninsula where he joined Moonta, eventually became playing coach and led the club to YPFL flags in 2016 and 2018.

Ramsey said he was excited to take over a team in his own right once again and planned to bring the professionalism and organisation to Port District from his time at West Adelaide.

“I’m definitely still in the early stages of my coaching career … but I think the time was right to go back and run my own program again and continue to develop myself,” he said.

“Watching a replay of the (division one) grand final the other day, it was as good a standard as I’ve seen so it’s an exciting competition to come into as well.”

Port finished seventh last season with seven wins, 10 defeats and a draw but was just three points off making the top four.

The Magpies have also been searching for a women’s coach with plans to launch an inaugural senior female side in 2022.