EFL 2018: Norwood coach Patrick Bowden to stand down at the end of the Eastern Football League season
NORWOOD coach Patrick Bowden will stand down as coach of the Norsemen at the end of the year as his father fights motor neuron disease.
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NORWOOD coach Patrick Bowden will stand down as coach of the Norsemen at the end of the year as his father fights motor neuron disease.
Bowden informed his players in the lead up to the Round 13 clash against Knox that he would be departing Mullum Mullum Reserve at the end of the season to be with his family in Darwin.
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The 36-year-old took the coaching reigns at Norwood at the end of last year but said his family was the priority.
“I’ve got four brothers who all live in Darwin with their families so it will be great to get up there and be closer to them,” Bowden said.
“Anyone who knows me knows my family is the most important thing in our lives so when we found out that Dad was sick, my immediate reaction was to just drop everything and go.
“I was really lucky because the football club is an amazing place but when you’ve got something like this put in front of you, it all gets put in perspective.”
Norwood is set to miss finals for the third consecutive year after Saturday’s three-point defeat against South Croydon.
The Norsemen let a 55-point halftime lead slip against the Bulldogs to fall to a 7-7 record.
Bowden said consistency had again eluded Norwood in 2018, only showing glimpses of its potential.
“There are going to be heaps of people who want that job,” Bowden said.
“We’ve taken a step in the right direction this year and even though we won’t make finals, there’s a step in terms of the knowledge of the game that has been taken.
“Whoever takes it over from me will be able to build on that knowledge and take them to the next level, I’m just disappointed it won’t be me because I can see there is great things happening and exciting footballers coming to the football club but unfortunately I won’t be able to help them go the next level.”
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