Shane Snibson is leaving the role of Sebastopol senior coach with mixed feelings.
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While satisfied he made progress on and off the field with the Ballarat Football League club, he says the Burra had not reached the level performance he had wanted to see.
Snibson has stepped aside after three seasons at the helm.
Sebastopol finished on the bottom with one win in 2015, 10th after an improved four victories in 2016, but slipped back to the bottom with one triumph this year.
He said the club had been aware since early in the season this would be his last as coach.
The 41-year-old said relocating in his employment to Melbourne before the season began and meeting the demands of a young family meant his time was up.
Snibson described coaching as “selfish” given the all-encompassing nature of the job and the commitment required.
He said the club’s football department had come a long way in three years, with better medical support, a recovery program and formal leadership group.
Snibson said it had been disappointing not to be able to build on this year.
He said injuries to top-end players had hurt and unfortunately there was not the depth to cover them.
Snibson said importantly though he had been able to expose a group of youngsters to senior football, which would put the club in good stead for the future.
As Snibson prepares to take his first break from a formal role in football in 30 years, he is not ruling out having some involvement at Sebastopol.
He said if it worked in with the future structure, he would be happy to provide “informal” support.
Sebastopol president Cameron Morgan said Snibson had provided outstanding service.
Morgan was high in praise for the culture Snibson had developed at Marty Busch Reserve and said Sebastopol was well progressed in finalising a new coaching panel.