THE Ballarat Football League’s choice of interleague coach for 2013 should please both ends of the competition.
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Former Sunbury and East Point champion Ben Jordan will take control of the Ballarat competition’s best against the Bendigo Football League at the Eastern Oval on May 25, the BFL announced last night.
Jordan, who was assistant interleague coach this year, replaces Shaune Moloney, who has stepped down from the role.
He said victory in May over Bendigo was important for the BFL’s standing in Victorian country footy.
And Jordan stressed that commitment to the cause would be a key selection criteria for the squad.
“Having played in half a dozen interleague campaigns, and been assistant coach twice, I thought I could contribute something as coach,” Jordan said yesterday.
“I did have a look at a few individual club roles.
“For me, I felt – family-wise – interleague is a good fit.
“My philosophy is, when you are asked to play interleague, you should go along, have a crack and get to know other players in the league.
“I couldn’t say I had a single negative experience in 10 years of representative footy.
“The fact the BFL really supports it, you couldn’t help but want to be involved.
“Bendigo, as a league, has kicked on in recent years, it has that goldfields rivalry with us, and it is a good match-up.
“I feel, with Ballarat having three losing campaigns in recent years, we want to get back on to the winning list.”
Jordan was recommended by Moloney after Moloney indicated to the league he would not be continuing in the role due to work, family and other commitments.
The 2005 Henderson Medallist, Jordan played in grand finals at both East Point and Sunbury. He is elder brother of East Point coach Dan Jordan, who was captain of this year’s interleague team.
“We are extremely thrilled to announce Ben’s appointment today as senior interleague coach,” BFL chief executive officer Rod Ward said.
“Ben has the respect of all 11 clubs in the competition and is a highly decorated personality of our league.”
gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au