EFL 2018: Marty Pask unveiled as the new coach of Norwood in the Eastern Football League
NORWOOD has ended weeks of speculation by announcing its new senior coach as the Norsemen look to make a return to finals in 2019.
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FROM the purple of Vermont to the purple of Norwood.
The Norsemen have ended weeks of speculation by announcing Marty Pask as their new coach on a two-year deal.
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Pask’s year started when he was replaced by Rodney Eade as coach of Eastern Football League power Balwyn, but he finished it was as a premiership assistant coach at Vermont.
The 33-year-old informed the Eagles’ players after the Division 1 grand final on Saturday that he had accepted the Norwood position, vacated by Patrick Bowden.
Pask said he always wanted to return to senior coaching in 2019, first meeting with Norwood officials in July.
“In meeting with Norwood and looking at their club ... it’s clear they’ve got a really solid foundation of what the EFL competition now demands, and that’s a strong one club approach, quality juniors, quality junior coaches and strong performing under-19s,” Pask said.
“They’ve got a really good nucleus of what I feel you need to compete and attack the pointy end of the Eastern footy league Premier division.”
Pask will be tasked with the job of propelling the talent-laden Norwood back into the top five in 2019.
The Norsemen have shown glimpses of their best since the 2014 premiership and a grand final appearance in 2015, but have missed finals for the past three years.
Norwood also has plenty of wiggle room in its player points cap, averaging just 35 points per game this year.
Only nine senior players this year were valued at more than one point.
“That gives you a fantastic springboard into 2019 and with a couple of things you can potentially add to the list and develop, it’s a really exciting position for the football club,” Pask said.
“You’ve got to be very strategic in what you do, when you want to attract five, six-point players to your footy club, you’ve got to make sure you make the right decisions because there is only a couple of those spots available.
“There’s got to be a real emphasis on the club, development and your junior program and 19s and ensure you make really good decisions with your recruiting.”
Pask said he was grateful Vermont gave him an opportunity to continue coaching.
“When you’ve been involved in a footy club and you’ve given them everything you can for 10-odd months, it’s a great opportunity for me to thank Vermont,” he said.
“Obviously I was in an interesting position at the start of the year and to get a call from Harmit (Singh) to tell me he wanted me down ... I just had a fantastic season.”
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