It has been a tough week at the Tradelink Western Magpies with Senior Coach Paul Grentell tendering his resignation in a letter to the clubs board on Tuesday morning. Grentell started at the club as a junior has played with club over a number of years and was Captain at the club before taking on a Reserves Coaching role before taking on the Senior job in 2005 which he has held for 5 and a half years.
In that time the Western Magpies have won an U/18 Division 1 Premiership, 3 Reserve Grade Division two Premierships and 2 Senior Pineapple Hotel Cup Premierships. Through this period of time Grentell has implemented a very professional structure in the football department of the Western Magpies and which was a key factor in the club regaining its QAFL status in 2009. Grentell was named AFL QLD Senior Coach of the Year in 2005 and has had involvement in representative coaching roles through that period and is currently an assistant for the Senior Country Queensland Team to play at the Australian Country Championship in July.
Grentell addressed his players for the final time informing them of his decision prior to training on Wednesday night.
Grentell stated in his letter of resignation, "This is not a decision I have made lightly but due to what I believe is a lack of club support and continued questioning of my decisions I feel the decision is just."
“I fully believe in and will always support the Western Magpies concept and the depth of talent in the region that feeds the club. The development of this talent with some quality additions to the list will see the club become a force in the QAFL”
Western Magpies Club Development Manager Anthony McDonald said, "I have worked closely with Paul over my 20 month tenure at the club and have found Paul a consumate professional in the way he has gone about his coaching and his resignation. It is an unfortunate situation we find ousrselves in but we must deal with it and move on."
"Our coaching group will work together to coach the team this weekend at home against Broadbeach a game which we believe we can win"!
"With the support of the board we have moved very quickly to investigate a number of options for a replacement with the goal of having a new Senior coach in place at the beginning of next week to prepare for the Brisbane Lions at the GABBA".
Last Modified on 20/05/2010 14:22