Laurimar, Justin Sherman explain decision to part ways
Laurimar and coach Justin Sherman have agreed to part ways after two seasons, which saw the former AFL forward help build the fledgling club into an NFL Division 3 premiership contender.
Local Footy
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Northern Football League Division 3 club Laurimar and coach Justin Sherman agreed to part ways on Wednesday after two seasons.
Both the Power and Sherman said the timing was right as they look to assess their options for 2021 and beyond.
Sherman will look to continue his coaching journey at a higher level, while Laurimar is preparing for a reduced salary cap next season.
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“The timing was right for both parties and I can get on with chasing my ambitions and goals in coaching,” Sherman said.
“I’m very happy with my time at Laurimar, I felt like we built something pretty special down there … I wish the club all the very best.
“Over the next month or two I’ll have a really good think about where I want to go and from there make a decision on what my family and I need going forward.
“With the COVID-19 situation, it probably fast-forwarded the decision in my head. It’s unfortunate but the decision’s been made and I’m at ease with it.”
It means the former Brisbane and Western Bulldogs forward will also hang up the boots for good.
“I came out of retirement purely to try and play in a flag with the boys at Laurimar and create some history,” he said.
Sherman took charge at Laurimar Recreation Reserve in 2018 and led the second-year club to its maiden finals appearance.
The Power started the 2019 home-and-away campaign 13-0 but faded late in the season before losing the Division 3 preliminary final to South Morang.
The club entered 2020 as a strong premiership favourite but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NFNL to cancel the season.
Power president Alasdair Walker credited Sherman for his dedication to building Laurimar on and off the field.
“We sat down with Shermo and discussed his plans for next year and our plans for next year, and we agreed to part ways,” he said.
“Justin is keen to pursue higher level coaching aspirations.
“He was great for us as a club and we’re going to retain a lot of those things that Justin brought to the table and it will hold us in good stead.
“The other side of the coin for us was next year is quite uncertain in terms of what the season looks like.
“We know the salary cap is being reduced so that will have a massive impact on all clubs, then there’s issues around sponsors – can they afford to contribute to local footy clubs?
“There were a number of factors that went in to deciding what we wanted to do. We were going to move on and Justin was happy to move on so we parted on good terms.”
The club will work through its criteria before launching its search for a new coach.
Sherman has joined former Lions teammate Andrew Raines’ One on One Football coaching program.
The platform connects junior footballers with accredited coaches and Sherman was excited by the concept.
“Due to COVID, a lot of coaches have been sacked from the AFL and everyone has cut costs in coaching,” he said.
“It’s really exciting and I’m not sure there’s anything like this in Australia.
“(Raines) has created a platform that gives accredited coaches the opportunity to develop kids one-on-one in their local communities.”
For more information, visit www.oneononefootball.com.au