Coach John Cunningham and Adelaide Footy League club Glenunga Rams part ways
An Adelaide Footy League club, which has won back-to-back-to-back premierships, is on the hunt for its third coach in as many seasons after its 2019 flag-winning coach decided to step away.
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Back-to-back-to-back premiership winning club Glenunga is searching for its third coach in as many years after the Rams mutually parted ways with John Cunningham.
The second tier Adelaide Footy League outfit announced the split on Monday, with Cunningham’s single season at the helm in 2019 resulting in a division three flag.
Time constraints and the need to focus more on his business, JKC Real Estate, due to the economic pressures of the coronavirus outbreak were behind the decision to step down, according to the Norwood premiership rover and Jack Oatey Medallist.
“We had a structure of assistants when I was appointed in late 2018 and that structure changed at the end of last season,” Cunningham said.
“We hadn’t really been able to implement enough support and it got to the point where I wasn’t able to apply enough time to the job.
“And given the break with the season in a bit of doubt we decided it was probably best to part ways now.
“It’s disappointing to not be able to see it all the way through but given the current environment with what’s going on it gives them the chance to plan for what comes next.”
The Rams charged to the minor premiership and defeated Old Ignatians to win the division three flag under Cunningham in 2019 – the club’s third consecutive title.
Former Port Adelaide player Brian Leys guided Glenunga to back-to-back successes in 2017 and 2018 but departed the club just weeks after the latter premiership.
Cunningham, whose daughters will continue to play in the Rams’ juniors, said he left the club on good terms and believed the decision was best for both parties.
“I was always quite realistic, I saw my role as facilitating some of the hard work that had been done in the previous three, four years,” he said.
“I enjoyed my time there thoroughly ... coaching a premiership was a great result, something I’ll always cherish and the bond I have with those players.”
Glenunga president Ben Stapleton said Cunningham remained highly respected and valued at the club.
“We’re really grateful for the work John’s done, he did a great job to pick up where Brian left off and winning an A grade flag was a terrific achievement,” Stapleton said.
“From here, who knows how the year will take shape … but we’ll look for the right person to continue the work and fit the way we want to do things at Glenunga.”
The Adelaide Footy League season was last month postponed until June 13 due to the COVID-19 crisis.