NAB League Boys coach Marc Greig has decided to step away from his role at the GWV Rebels to chase interests outside of football.
Greig arrived at the Rebels at the end of 2017 after his time with the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL.
Greig’s career came full circle upon returning to the Rebels after playing in the clubs 1997 premiership side.
Greig was just a boy from Horsham when he first joined the Rebels and is very grateful for the opportunities the program has afforded him throughout his life.
“I’ve been fortunate with the opportunities I have heard although I have made sacrifices along the way I wouldn’t change anything,” he said.
It took three to four months for Greig to understand how to coach at NAB League level but has thoroughly enjoyed developing the talent of the region.
“I’ve enjoyed the role of development coach and being able to teach the players as best we could and just to remind them to keep things simple and encouraging them to do the basics well.”
“To see where some boys have come to where they are now, whether that be some players playing some good senior footy last year after a couple of years in the program or the couple that have gone onto AFL lists, it has been good to see the natural development of most of the boys that have gone through in my time,” he said.
Talent Manager Phil Partington believes Greig will be hard to replace but has made the right decision for his family moving forward.
“Marc’s left an impeccable imprint into the Rebels organisation as a player but also a coach and those people are always hard to replace.
“He has made a decision for what is best for him and his family, our values as a football club is family always comes first so we wish Marc and his family all the best for the future,” he said.
Greig has decided to take a step back from coaching to reignite his building career and spend more time with his family who have also made sacrifices during his coaching tenure.
“While this COVID period has been hard for a lot of people including myself at times, it has given me a chance to get back on the tools and have my weekends free and nights at home with the kids,” he said.
“The COVID time has given me plenty of time to reflect about what I have done over the last 20 years and while I have sacrificed a lot, the decisions I have made have been based around what I want to do and now to free up 30 weekends a year is a pretty enticing prospect at the moment.”
The extended family time also means that all the footy Greig absorbs during 2021 will be entirely for his own leisure as he aims to engage in activities that his coaching has stopped him from doing.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone about footy and I won’t, because if I still wanted to do footy stuff I’d still be in the Rebels coaching role.”
“I want to go and watch some of my mates that are coaching or still playing in my own leisure on a cold wintery day with a couple of quite ones and feel a bit more normal and without the pressure that comes with coaching at this level,” he said.
Despite the fact he will hold no formal footy title Greig will continue to support the players he has coached over the past three seasons.
“I had a chat with the players last night in a zoom meeting and told them that the phone is still on and if they want to have a chat that I’m happy to take a call at any time and keep supporting them along the way.”
“It’s a journey for these boys and girls. We see them play for the first time in the pathway program from when they are 15 years old. You build relationships over time with the players so I’m not just going to shut up shop and not answer my phone I’ll certainly be there for them,” he said.
The AFL will now begin the process of hiring a new coach of the boys and girls’ program for 2021.
ere to edit.
Greig arrived at the Rebels at the end of 2017 after his time with the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL.
Greig’s career came full circle upon returning to the Rebels after playing in the clubs 1997 premiership side.
Greig was just a boy from Horsham when he first joined the Rebels and is very grateful for the opportunities the program has afforded him throughout his life.
“I’ve been fortunate with the opportunities I have heard although I have made sacrifices along the way I wouldn’t change anything,” he said.
It took three to four months for Greig to understand how to coach at NAB League level but has thoroughly enjoyed developing the talent of the region.
“I’ve enjoyed the role of development coach and being able to teach the players as best we could and just to remind them to keep things simple and encouraging them to do the basics well.”
“To see where some boys have come to where they are now, whether that be some players playing some good senior footy last year after a couple of years in the program or the couple that have gone onto AFL lists, it has been good to see the natural development of most of the boys that have gone through in my time,” he said.
Talent Manager Phil Partington believes Greig will be hard to replace but has made the right decision for his family moving forward.
“Marc’s left an impeccable imprint into the Rebels organisation as a player but also a coach and those people are always hard to replace.
“He has made a decision for what is best for him and his family, our values as a football club is family always comes first so we wish Marc and his family all the best for the future,” he said.
Greig has decided to take a step back from coaching to reignite his building career and spend more time with his family who have also made sacrifices during his coaching tenure.
“While this COVID period has been hard for a lot of people including myself at times, it has given me a chance to get back on the tools and have my weekends free and nights at home with the kids,” he said.
“The COVID time has given me plenty of time to reflect about what I have done over the last 20 years and while I have sacrificed a lot, the decisions I have made have been based around what I want to do and now to free up 30 weekends a year is a pretty enticing prospect at the moment.”
The extended family time also means that all the footy Greig absorbs during 2021 will be entirely for his own leisure as he aims to engage in activities that his coaching has stopped him from doing.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone about footy and I won’t, because if I still wanted to do footy stuff I’d still be in the Rebels coaching role.”
“I want to go and watch some of my mates that are coaching or still playing in my own leisure on a cold wintery day with a couple of quite ones and feel a bit more normal and without the pressure that comes with coaching at this level,” he said.
Despite the fact he will hold no formal footy title Greig will continue to support the players he has coached over the past three seasons.
“I had a chat with the players last night in a zoom meeting and told them that the phone is still on and if they want to have a chat that I’m happy to take a call at any time and keep supporting them along the way.”
“It’s a journey for these boys and girls. We see them play for the first time in the pathway program from when they are 15 years old. You build relationships over time with the players so I’m not just going to shut up shop and not answer my phone I’ll certainly be there for them,” he said.
The AFL will now begin the process of hiring a new coach of the boys and girls’ program for 2021.
ere to edit.
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