MPNFL: Bonbeach assistant Peter Williamson named Sharks senior coach
Bonbeach has turned to one of its own to lead it in 2020, appointing Under 19s mentor Peter Williamson as senior coach.
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Newly appointed Bonbeach coach Peter Williamson has a catchy phrase by which he operates.
“One thing I’ve always done is connect before I direct,’’ he said.
Williamson, who coached Bonbeach’s Under 19s and was midfield coach of the Sharks’ senior side this year, believes building strong relationships is the key to being a successful football coach.
“It’s something that I’ve been able to do,’’ he said.
“And it sort of flows into my job. I’m a construction manager dealing with different types of people…it’s gone hand in hand with my football.’’
Williamson, 52, played 150 senior games with Rosebud and Red Hill before venturing into coaching.
He has 20 years of coaching experience at various levels, including roles as senior assistant at Rosebud and Peninsula Old Boys, as well as coaching junior interleague sides.
Bonbeach will be his first head coach role, but he says the time is right.
“I’ve had a lot of different experiences in footy,’’ Williamson said.
“One thing sort of led to another. I’ve never put an application in. It’s been one door open…
A self-described “student of the game’’, Williamson said his connection with the current Bonbeach list will benefit going forward.
“I’ve got a good relationship with the senior group, I was a midfield coach this year,’’ he said.
“We’ve formed some really good relationships and some good understanding of each other.
“I’ll look to take that into next year.’’
Trent Dennis-Lane, who was Bonbeach co-coach this year, will be a playing-assistant coach in 2020.
Bonbeach made it to the MPNFL Division 1 preliminary final in which it lost to eventual premiers Dromana.
Williamson described the Sharks’ list as “healthy” and the retention “really good’’.
Peninsula cricket followers might remember Peter Williamson’s name. For many years he held the MPCA opening partnership record of 333 — made with Jason Hardwick, playing for Boneo in 1987.
Bonbeach will be hoping he puts the runs on the board next season.
Sharks president Matt Lowe said he was thrilled with the smooth transition at the top of the football department and predicted Williamson’s experience would be a great benefit to the emerging young talent on the list.
“Peter brought a new outlook and professionalism to our under 19s this season and as a result, 11 of those young players had the thrill of playing senior football in a side that was at the pointy end of a great competition,” he said.
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“Much of the credit for that development goes to ‘Willo’ who brought almost 20 years of experience as a junior coach with him to the club. We believe he is the perfect person to continue the development of this group and, hopefully, take it even higher next year.’’