Whittlesea secures a major coup, signing of the Northern league’s greatest coaches

Whittlesea has landed one of the Northern league’s greatest coaches as it prepares to embark on a return to NFNL Division 2 in 2024.

NFL footy: Montmorency v Greensborough. Montmorency coach Garry Ramsay. Picture: Josie Hayden

Whittlesea has secured a stunning coup, signing one of the Northern league’s greatest coaches for 2024.

Garry Ramsay will take the reigns at Whittlesea Showgrounds next season.

The former Panton Hill, Watsonia, Lower Plenty, Macleod, Montmorency and NFNL representative coach stepped away from the game this year but will return to guide the Eagles as they step back to NFNL Division 2 next season.

He takes the reigns from Wayne van der Ross who stepped down last month.

With two games remaining, Whittlesea has endured a winless Division 1 campaign and hopes Ramsay’s track-record of success can see it bounce back quickly.

Ramsay led Lower Plenty to the Division 2 premiership in 2011 and guided Macleod to its maiden Division 1 title in 2015 and three more grand final appearances.

The respected coach helped break Montmorency’s five-year finals drought in his first season in charge in 2019 and also helped the NFNL to the Community Championships No.1 ranking by knocking off Geelong.

The club confirmed the move on its Facebook page on Sunday.

“Whittlesea Football Netball Club are excited to announce the first major step in our plan to build long term, sustainable success within our club,” a club statement read.

“This has been achieved with the signing of a proven, high-profile leader. We are proud to announce the signing of Garry Ramsay as the senior coach of the WFNC for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

“Garry brings a wealth of experience, a reputation for driving standards and achieving success over a long, highly acclaimed career.

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“We strongly believe Garry will lead us in ‘building for success’ and re-establish our winning culture.

“The core group of experienced players along with the talent of our young list, will provide the base for the future success everyone is working hard to achieve.”

The Eagles announced Doug Prow and Brent Toll would oversee the club’s football department as well as the return of the club’s under-19s in 2024 under Luke Fraumano.

The coup leaves Epping, Lalor and Heidelberg West on the hunt for new coaches.