Corey O’Sullivan discusses decision to step down as Romsey coach
Departing Romsey coach Corey O’Sullivan says he’s proud of his achievements with the Redbacks but couldn’t commit the time needed to fulfil the role in the future.
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Outgoing Romsey coach Corey O’Sullivan says his proudest achievement was helping build Romsey back up to a Riddell District premiership contender.
O’Sullivan will step down after three seasons at the Redbacks’ helm, guiding the clubs to finals in each year he was in charge.
After claiming back-to-back premierships in 2014-15, Romsey was hit by a mass exodus in 2016 and missed finals for the first time since 2008.
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O’Sullivan was appointing for the 2017 season and led the club to a fifth placed finish, the Redbacks would finish sixth in 2018 and second in 2019, just a game behind minor premier Diggers Rest.
“I think they’d get applicants from far and wide,” O’Sullivan said.
“The playing group at Romsey is situated really well, it’s a fantastic group and coaches would be mad not to want to take the role on.
“The committee has done a power of work to get it back … the club is more community focused now and has a much closer association with the junior club.
“I’m proud of the fact we made finals every season I was there but we also didn’t win a final, which I see as a fail.
“But to look at it on face value that doesn’t really reflect where the club has come in that time.”
O’Sullivan will hand over the magnet board after informing the club he wouldn’t be going on due to increasing family and work commitments.
He said the unknowns around the COVID-19 pandemic meant it was better for the club to start looking for a new coach now rather than waiting.
“At this point in time because of work and family and the way the world is at the moment I couldn’t commit to next year,” O’Sullivan said.
“The coaching role takes up a lot of time, you’d like to think it’s just a couple of hours at training and then Saturday, but it’s a hell of a lot more than that.
“I didn’t want to leave the club in the lurch sitting around waiting for me to make a decision.”
Romsey president Eden Jedwab said O’Sullivan had always supported the club looking for the best coaching candidate.
“We’ve been speaking to Corey regularly for the last three or four months,” he said.
“He wants to have some time with his family and enjoy watching his kids play football.”
“We’ve advertised all coaching positions, which we do as part of our constitution every year anyway.
“He’s a big supporter of the club and he’ll remain a big supporter of the club.”