EFL 2018: Heathmont coach Joel Cordwell steps down from role at Eastern Football League club
OUTGOING Heathmont mentor Joel Cordwell will look to continue his coaching career elsewhere in 2019 after stepping down at the Jets.
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OUTGOING Heathmont mentor Joel Cordwell will look to continue his coaching career elsewhere in 2019 after stepping down at the Jets.
Cordwell informed Heathmont officials on Monday he would not seek reappointment next year after three successful seasons at the club.
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Cordwell took Heathmont to just its second Division 3 finals berth in club history in 2016 before winning through to last year’s grand final from fifth.
The Jets were bundled out of this year’s finals series in the semi-final against Boronia after a one-point victory over The Basin in the elimination final.
Cordwell said the time was right to further his coaching elsewhere but would only accept a position if it was the appropriate role.
“Given where the list is at with the footy club, it’s just a good opportunity for me to go away and seek other opportunities and for somebody else to come in and develop the younger guys over the next three to five years,” Cordwell said.
“I didn’t think I had that in me at Heathmont, another three or five years, so the timing is right.
“Had a little bit left in the tank there but I didn’t want to use all of that up.
“I leave on really good terms with the footy club and it has obviously been a great opportunity and great three years and I’m really thankful for the club.”
Heathmont will compete in Division 2 next year as part of the Eastern Football League restructure.
“We had three teams in finals this year so the club is really healthy, it’s on the up and it’s been successful all round,” Cordwell said.
“The club’s been happy with where we’ve been able to get to.”
President Rob Parker said the club was disappointed with Cordwell’s decision given his success at H.E Parker Reserve.
“From my point of view he has been terrific for our club but once we sat down and talked it through we could understand why,” Parker said.
“He thought, and probably a few people around the club thought, it might have been time to get a new voice and freshen up the club.”
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