IN a move which is set to have major implications at Portland Football Netball Club, senior football coach Jarrod Holt and club president Troy Bannam have both announced their decisions to step down from their positions at the end of the 2023 Hampden League season.

Holt said this is not a decision he had taken lightly, nor was it one that came out of the blue.

“When I signed on for this season last year, it was always on the understanding that it was going to be for one more year,” Holt said.

“On a personal level, it’s really just come down to wanting to spend time with my family and the time pressure associated with that… and there’s a lot of other things I want to do with my life.

“I’m sure Archie (Holt’s son) will miss coming down to trainings, but ultimately I think this is what’s best for myself and my family.”

Holt added that he felt this was also the best decision for the club, which can now move forward with someone new in charge of the senior side as they head into the future.

“I’ve had my time, had two stints in the job, and the club and I feel like it’s time for someone new to have a go at it,” he said.

“My main objective now is to ensure the club is in as good a position as possible to move forward.

“And I want to be clear that I’m not just trying to get through and then leave… if anything I’m more determined than ever to do what’s right for the club.

“I can confidently say that every decision I have made in my time here has been made with the club’s best interests in mind… some people might have disagreed with those decisions and that’s ok… but everything was done for the club.”

Holt added that while the senior football side is going through a tough patch of results on the field, “things can turn quickly.”

“We’ve got some great young players coming through who will be big contributors in the future, and I’m sure whoever takes on the job will do a terrific job, whether it’s someone internally or otherwise.”

Bannam, who is in his sixth year at the helm, said his decision to step down was simply to give the club an opportunity to bring in a fresh face with fresh ideas.

“It’s time for a different perspective, someone with new ideas who can take the club forward, and perhaps in a new direction,” he said.

“I advised the club at the last AGM that this would be my final season… filling these volunteer positions can sometimes prove challenging, and obviously I don’t want to leave the club in the lurch.”

Bannam spoke highly of Holt’s contributions to the club across many years of service as both a player and a coach, saying the club was sad to see him depart.

“He was a great footballer for us, and he’s been a terrific coach across the eight years he’s been in the position,” Bannam said.

“He’s a stalwart of the club, from leading us in that first Hampden season in 2013, and then last season leading us to our first finals and our first finals win.

“It’s a testament to him, both as a coach and as a person, what he’s been able to accomplish.”

The hunt is now on for the individual who will take the reins from the 2024 season onwards, with Bannam saying the search is well underway.

“We’ll certainly be leaving no stone unturned… we’ll be searching high and low, wide and far,” he said.

“We’re hoping to have them signed up and ready to go by August, and from then the club can focus on topping up with some new talent.

“The hope is we can find someone who will bring in a couple players to help build up the talent pool.”