Thomastown locks in respected co-coaches to led the club in 2024

Thomastown has promoted two of its most respected clubmen to co-coach as it looks to break back into NFNL Division 2 finals in 2024.

Thomastown's new coaches Sash Spiroski and David Folino.

Thomastown has promoted two of its most respect clubmen to co-coaches.

Sash Spiroski will step up from reserve grade coach and will be joined by senior assistant David Folino at the helm in NFNL Division 2, 2024.

The pair were both members of the Bears’ 2014 Division 3 premiership and have each played more than 200 games for the club.

They take the reins from Peter Bugden, who stepped down after one season in the top job.

Thomastown president Rob Mazinovski said the pair were already well connected with the playing group and always had “the club’s best interest at heart”.

“We knew our next senior coach was going to be a huge decision for our club, for long-term success and stability,” Mazinovski said.

“In local sport sometimes we get blinded or obsessed by past success and achievements when looking to fill these roles.

“In doing that sometimes we forget it’s about people and community and the most important thing is the human element, if you can’t connect emotionally and mentally with the playing group then you’re starting from a long way back.

“We’ve picked two people who are respected and loved internally, they’re dedicated and have the club’s best interests at heart and that’s all you can ask for.

“It’s that younger mindset and connecting to today’s modern day person, that goes a long way.

“We look forward to seeing them grow into the role and hopefully have great success.”

Having had several coaches in recent seasons, Thomastown believe Spiroski and Folino can bring stability, a key factor in long-term success.

Having seen a number of coaches leave local footy since COVID, Mazinovski believes spreading the load is also critical.

“Why we went co-coaches, the role of senior coach at any level is an ever-growing demand,” he said.

James Rizzolio in action for Thomastown. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We see it across all leagues, young coaches stepping away due to family or work commitments and we wanted to make sure we gave these two young men the best possible chance of success.

“Having each other to lean on at all times we felt gave them the best chance to grow into the role over a longer period without being burnt out and succumbing to the pressures of life.”

Thomastown finished just two points outside the top-five this season, undone by a draw with Panton Hill in Round 7.

The Bears finished the season strongly, winning three of its final four games, including a 29-point win over eventual preliminary finalist St Mary’s in the final round.

Tyrone Leonardis’ outstanding campaign was recognised with the Division 2 Coaches’ MVP award, while he and teammate Daniel Caruso were included in the Team of the Year.

The likes of Caruso, Anthony Capeci, Jarryd Coulson, Lawrence Lopiccolo, Josh Mazzarella, Michael Tang, Tyla Barrow, Adrian Natoli, Aaron D’Angelo and James Rizzolio all enjoyed strong seasons.

Thomastown has re-signed the majority of its list but does expect to lose Leonardis.

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“It’s not secret Tyrone has spoken to a number of clubs, signing and losing players is part of the game,”.

“We never want to lose good senior players but sometimes you can’t control that, particularly when lucrative offers are put in front of them.

“One thing we’re proud of as a club we’ll never lose players because they didn’t enjoy their time or because they weren’t treated with respect.”

With Thomastown locking in its coach for next season, Northcote Park is the only Division 2 club yet to announce its new leader.