Bond QAFLW coach Shane Atkins has stepped down after two games to be replaced by Luke Mansbridge

Bond University are finally back at training albeit with a fresh face at the helm of their QAFLW side.

BOND University are finally back at training albeit with a fresh face at the helm of their QAFLW side.

The Bull Sharks are set to commence their season on July 11 after it was suspended after three rounds but they will do so without head coach Shane Atkins who relinquished his role during the COVID-19 season break.

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Current Bond University coach Luke Mansbridge has been named as his replacement.

The change comes after Atkins reconsidered the balance of his life, family and work commitments during the recent period away from football.

Bond Sharks coach Shane Atkins. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

The second-year coach decided that now would be the opportune time to step back before the season recommenced.

Club president, John Le Lievre, thanked Atkins for his service after he steered Bond to their maiden QAFLW grand final last season.

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“We thank Shane for his tireless work while in the role and we’re excited about what Luke brings moving forward,” Le Lievre said.

Mansbridge is not new to the club, having joined Bond as a Senior Assistant Coach to the men’s team in 2019 where he played a critical role in the team’s QFA Division 2 premiership.

So far in 2020 he has held dual roles across both men’s and women’s programs and will now focus his attention solely on Bond’s talented QAFLW list.

Newly appointed Bond University QAFLW coach Luke Mansbridge. Pic: Supplied.

Mansbridge played senior football with the Southport Sharks in the late 1990s before a move to Sydney saw him play for Holroyd-Parramatta and coach the reserves side to consecutive finals appearances in 2011 and 2012, earning him a promotion to the role of Senior Assistant Coach.

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General Manager of the club, Michael Swann, was confident Mansbridge could build on the Bull Shark’s solid start to the season one win, one loss 2020 record.

“We’re thrilled that ‘Pup’ has taken on the opportunity to steer our women’s program,” he said.

“He has a great knowledge of the game, he has quickly developed strong relationships with players despite the interrupted year, and he is willing to constructively challenge the group so that they can keep growing and improving.”