EFNL 2023: Forest Hill coach Justin Scicluna to step away at season’s end

Forest Hill coach Justin Scicluna will soon leave his post at the Eastern league Division 4 club. Latest here.

FOREST HILL president Shane Rudd has paid tribute to outgoing senior coach Justin Scicluna, following the mentor of five years announcing his resignation.

Scicluna, who has led the Division 4 club since 2019, will step away from the coaching role at the end of the season.

Rudd said Scicluna approached the club with his decision.

“The decision was his and I think he just needs a little bit of a rest and to concentrate on a few other things that are probably more important in life with him,” Rudd said.

“I think other things in life have popped up – it’s more him spending more time with his family and work life.

“It’s not the fact that he’s lost the passion – it is a busy job in its own right but he’s obviously still going to stay around the club.

“I think what he’s invested and the time he’s put into the club, he’s probably due for a well-earned rest.”

Justin Scicluna. Picture: supplied

The Zebras’ mentor initially called time on his stint late last season – before a surprise backflip lured him into the role for this year.

A 200-game player with the Zebras, Rudd said Scicluna was like very few coaches in local footy.

“What Justin has put into the footy club, not only about coaching, you wouldn’t find too many coaches around that do a lot behind the scenes,” Rudd said.

“He’s out there mopping the floors, vacuuming … the things that people don’t see and you wouldn’t expect a coach to do.

“He’ll be very much welcome to stay on and be connected to the club next year, but in what capacity, I don’t know.”

Forest Hill is currently fifth on the ladder – two games and percentage out of the top four with home-and-away matches against Scoresby (third) and Croydon North-MLOC (seventh) remaining.

Rudd said the club was open to playing and non-playing options for its next senior coach – with a desire to bolster its list.

“The right coach will probably be the one that can bring some players to the club,” Rudd said.

“We’re needing that five or six players to come with a coach, and that’d be an ideal scenario for us.

“We’re a proud club and we just want to make sure we get the right person.”

Expressions of interest can be sent to [e-mail].