Shane Skontra will take a break from coaching after choosing not to extend his time with North Ballarat City in the Ballarat Football League.
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He leaves after three seasons in the role, including this year when the competition did not get a start.
Skontra said while it was not an ideal way to finish up with the club, the time was right for him.
"Ideally you get three years with a group. It didn't happen."
He said family and work commitments had been pivotal in his decision.
With demands on country football coaches greater than ever as clubs thrived for greater professionalism, three years was a major commitment.
"There's no hiding from the fact that it's getting more and more demanding."
He estimated he had been putting in 20 to 25 hours a week into the job.
"In a perfect world, you'd take a step back."
Skontra indicated the break in football owing to COVID-19 restrictions might be a defining moment and provide an opportunity bring more fun back into the game.
Skontra believes his successor will have a strong list to work with.
"The club's in a good position."
As well as bringing in new talent, Skontra has blooded a substantial list of youngsters.
He said the club had an "outstanding" group 17 to 19-year-olds.
Skontra, who followed Jordyn Burke into the job, took North Ballarat to second place after the home and away season in 2018.
In a year that promised so much, North gave up a three quarter time lead of 24 points over eventual premier East Point to lose by one point in a qualifying final and then bowed out with a two-point loss to Darley.
North paid the price for a slow start in 2019 - two wins in the opening nine rounds - to finish seventh and miss finals.
Skontra believes City was well placed to push back into the top six and finals this year.
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Skontra launched his senior coaching career with Waubra in the Central Highlands league, coaching it to the 2006 and 2011 premierships during two stints at the club.
He was CHFL interleague coach in 2012-13 and then moved to BFL club Ballarat as a director of coaching and player development and then director of football in 2014-15.
Skontra also coached the BFL representative side while with the Swans.
Bendigo league club Maryborough was his next destination, coaching there in 2016-17 before taking on North Ballarat City.
North Ballarat City will be only BFL club to take a new senior coach into 2021.