Glenunga Rams re-sign coach Nathan Grima ahead of first Adelaide Footy League division one season

After going through three in as many years, an eastern club has locked in its grand final coach for another season as it enters the Adelaide Footy League’s top flight.

Glenunga senior coach Nathan Grima has signed on for season 2022 and will lead the club in its debut division one season. Picture: Sarah Reed

Division one Adelaide Footy League club Glenunga has finally found some coaching continuity, with senior coach Nathan Grima opting in for another year at the helm.

The former North Melbourne player and ex-Sturt coach led the club to the division two grand final this year and will lead it through its maiden division one campaign in 2022.

Grima said he had the option to leave but wanted to keep taking the club forward.

“I want to stick around. The support from the club and president Ben Stapleton has been great for me and we share a common goal of becoming a strong division one club,” Grima said.

“We probably didn’t think we’d be in div one so quickly when we mapped out our plan a year ago. Now it’s all hands on deck to ensure we make the most of this great opportunity.”

Glenunga coach Nathan Grima addresses his team during a division two win last season. Picture: Max Stapleton

Grima started his South Australian coaching career just three years ago when he took over for Sturt’s league team at just 33 years old.

While he enjoyed his time with the Double Blues and was disappointed to leave, he has loved his time at Glenunga.

“It’s been super refreshing to be back at a community club and the group of boys here are all keen to learn, hardworking and really invested,” Grima said.

“We’re a really professional club and we’re strong now all the way from juniors to seniors. It’s just appealing to be involved with a successful local outfit.”

Glenunga’s Harry Prosser under pressure from Old Ignatians’ Hugh Ferrari and William Abbott in this season’s Adelaide Footy League division two grand final. The Rams were disappointed with their efforts. Picture: Dean Martin

The Rams were unfortunate not to win the 2021 division two premiership this year after dominating at the top of the ladder throughout the season.

While Grima said the loss was hard to accept, he believed his side had what it took to bounce back in what will be a challenging division one season.

“The guys have been brilliant and they exceeded expectations last year. It was disappointing not to win the flag but to get to div one is brilliant,” he said.

“There are some very, very good players and teams in division one and we’ll need to mostly rely on the development of players, especially young guys, to be successful as it’s difficult to recruit ex-AFL or SANFL guys when you’re not an old scholar team.

“It’s going to be a really challenging year but we’re ready and excited for it.”

Grima will again be supported by returning senior assistant coaches Mark Beech and Courtney Cramey.

When he signed ahead of the recent campaign, Grima was the Rams’ fourth coach in as many seasons.

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.

John Cunningham then took over and helped the club win another flag in 2019 before he and the Rams parted ways just before the 2020 season. Player Andy Read then took charge for that campaign.