Local footy: Heath Scotland stands down as WRFL club Sunshine coach
Sunshine will have a new man in charge as it hopes to turn its season around after its now former coach made the decision to step aside.
Western
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Sunshine’s rollercoaster 2022 season has taken another twist.
Earlier this week, Heath Scotland informed the club he would be stepping down from the senior coaching position.
The Western Region league Division 1 club sit eighth on the ladder with a 1-4 record after the opening five rounds.
Their latest defeat was a 24.24 (168) to 0.9 (9) thumping at the hands of premiership contender Altona on Saturday.
Sunshine president Xavier Hayes described Scotland’s decision as a “bit of a shock” and one the club weren’t expecting.
“He came to us earlier in the week and told us he felt it was the right decision,” he said.
“In the past two years, Heath has proven himself to be a very honest person and this was another one of those.
“We haven’t had the greatest start to the season and he was feeling the burden all the person.
“Heath is a great person with great values and we wish him all the best with his future.”
Scotland’s assistant, Chris Atkins, has now been promoted into the top job for the remainder of the season.
Atkins had previously been appointed senior coach of rivals Yarraville Seddon Eagles before stepping away from the role in mid-2020 due to “personal reasons”.
He returned to Sunshine at the start of the season as an assistant coach having played in the club’s losing grand final side back in 2017.
Atkins is also a premiership player with country football powerhouse Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley league.
The club Atkins” “brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the club and playing group. We are extremely happy to have “Afro” and his family back” following his appointment as senior coach.
It was a busy off-season at Kinder Smith Reserve with 13 new faces having arrived at the club.
Those included Tom Mundy who has made a sensational start to the season.
Sunshine will look to get back to winning ways when it travels to take on Spotswood this weekend.
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