Port United Football Club will have a new First Grade coach for the 2013 season after Greg Baldwin decided to step down after 5 years at the helm. 2012 co-coach Jono Toombs is also planning to put the boots on again after a major knee reconstruction. The club will welcome Chris Walsh into the role who has earned his stripes in the State Youth League coaching ranks after previously coaching successful junior sides at United
Baldwin has decided to have a break from the consistent demands of coaching in the Mid North Coast Premier League competition. “It is with some regret that I step down, but I think it’s time for a fresh change for the club and I’m delighted to see Chris get involved. He is obviously keen and that is major pre-requisite”. Although a First Grade title has eluded Baldwin he is happy with the club’s progress. United are only one of 3 clubs to have both First and Reserve Grade make the semi-finals the past 3 seasons.
“We have developed some fine young players in recent years with the likes of Tommy Adams, Alex Gillespie, Matt Baldwin and Ryan Moon among others who are all now playing at a high level in places like Newcastle. It’s a fact of life for country town football that the area’s best young talent move on and you have to work with what you’ve got” said Baldwin. He added “I will no doubt have mixed feelings come the start of the 2013 season and will probably wish I was still there. It’s a great club and a fantastic bunch of players. I wish Chris all the best and hope he enjoys it as much as I did”.
For the past 9 years, Walsh has been involved with coaching Port United and Mid North Coast elite youth footballers picking up a few premierships during that time. For the last few years Walsh has concentrated on coaching in the State Youth League traveling with his squads all over Northern NSW each weekend. He has also invested a considerable amount of time and money in the FFA Coach education system to ensure that his squads receive the best possible guidance and resources. Walsh holds FFA Junior, Youth and the AFC recognised Advanced Senior C Central football coaching licenses and is keen to put this knowledge and methods learned to good use with the Port United First Grade squad.
Being a Port United fan and club person Walsh speaks highly of longstanding and successful coach Greg Baldwin. He commented “Greg has invested much time and effort into the club both as First Grade coach and on the clubs committee, but also in his time coaching juniors for United. He’s done a very good job and I’m confident that I can also make a positive contribution to the role moving forward and I’m very much looking forward to the new season”.
