Sheedy flags intentions to lift cash-strapped 113-year-old Athelstone Football Club with long-awaited A Grade premiership
A MAGAREY Medallist wants to repay Athelstone’s volunteers and players by coaching the financially challenged club to its first A-grade flag in 21 years.
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MAGAREY Medallist Jade Sheedy wants to repay Athelstone’s volunteers and players by coaching the financially challenged club to its first A-grade flag in 21 years.
The Raggies booked a spot in Saturday’s division two premiership decider – and earnt promotion to the top tier – with a five-point semi-final victory over Henley earlier this month.
Athelstone’s on-field success has come despite its off-field battle this year after adopting auditors’ urgent recommendations to address significant financial stress.
Sheedy said the committee, led by president Stephen Young, had worked hard to turn the 113-year-old club around – while his squad had simply concentrated on winning.
“You knew what was going on but there was good communication to the playing group and we got some reassurance that we’d be OK,” said Sheedy, a 255-game star and 2002 Magarey Medallist at Sturt.
“We’ve tried to focus on footy ... the board has done a really good job to try to get our way out of it.
“You combine that with a really good attitude on-field and in training, and a group that wants to get better, and it’s a pretty powerful thing.
“I want to win it (premiership) for our players and the volunteers.”
Sheedy was a regular at Athelstone matches during his Sturt career, going out to watch his brother Justin play.
After retiring from the SANFL in 2012, Sheedy became the Raggies’ player-coach and lined up alongside Justin for one-and-a-half seasons until pulling the pin last year.
“It was a pretty wise decision because I don’t think I could keep up with the kids these days,” he says.
Athelstone has not played in division one since 2000 and was in division three two years ago.
Sheedy said getting promoted was a huge achievement – and winning a premiership would make it even sweeter.