Coaches continue to sign on the dotted line

With most VAFA clubs returning to pre-season training next week, these new coaches will use this weekend to fine tune their opening messages to their new playing group ahead of season 2024.

VAFA Media takes a look at the latest set of new coaches to sign on the dotted line and join the VAFA.

Current available VAFA coaching positions can be found on the VAFA Jobs Board.

After an extensive search and a thorough interview process, Kew are absolutely brimming with excitement to unveil Bryan “Jack” Cole as our new Senior coach to lead the men for season 2024 and beyond.

“Jack” as he’s affectionately known, brings decades of rich footy experience to the Bear Cave, having played at the top level for Collingwood under the great Tom Hafey as a youngster as well as a storied, dual premiership career at Montmorency which saw him gain Team of the Century and Hall of Fame honours.

Post playing, he’s gone onto make his mark on several local footy clubs across the Northern Football League Division 1 including Representative sides, the VFL and the Premier Division Outer Eastern Football League.

Jack knows what it takes to make a footy club successful and his track record reflects the strong work ethic he possesses, steering all his teams to finals in all but two out of 17 seasons at the helm. This includes many grand final appearances and the ultimate prize most recently with Healesville.

Kew’s new Director of Men’s Football, Rob Harding was pivotal in the hiring process and is entirely confident they have appointed the best man for the job, “Jack brings the perfect balance of a tough, uncompromising approach to footy to Kew as well as a modern, analytical take on the game with a clear-cut game plan.”

Jack places enormous value on the youth of the club, and is set to blood an abundance of young guns into the seniors over his tenure, setting the club up for on-field success for many years to come. He is passionate about footy, a student of the game and his positivity is infectious.

The Prahran Football Club has the pleasure to announce their new Coach for season 2024. 

Craige Milward has accepted the role and comes to Prahran with a great resume of coaching roles having most recently been an assistant coach with Frankston in the VFL.

Craige is passionate about football and has told the Prahran FC website “I’m excited and feel privileged to be appointed to Prahran FC and can’t wait to get started with this group.”

Kyle Pinto has been announced as the new coach of Ormond for the 2024 season. 

Pinto is an outstanding teacher and leader. The club knows him to be articulate, thorough, prepared, knowledgeable and motivating. 

Kyle’s modern, contemporary and inclusive approach to coaching is precisely what Ormond requires now to re-set with vision and determination.

A handy CV to go alongside Pinto’s name includes seven years with Ormond’s biggest rivals, Hampton Rovers. He is a 2x premiership player with the club in 2013 and 2014. 

2013 a year which remains in the minds of Ormond as the Rovers overcame them in the big dance. 

Between 2016-2020 he was a playing assistant coach with the Rovers. Most recently Pinto was coaching Taylors Lake FNC in Horsham.

Pinto is looking forward to turning the Monders fortunes around in 2024 as they aim to return to Premier C. 

St John’s Old Collegians Football Club is pleased to announce that Tim Edwards has signed on to coach the Senior Men’s team in 2024. 

“Teddy’s” playing days began at Thomas Carroll Reserve playing for St Gerard’s Junior Football Club. From there he progressed to playing TAC Cup with both Oakleigh and Sandringham.

Before he joined St John’s in 2016 where he played out his senior playing days he played with the Oakleigh Krushers in Premier B of the VAFA.

Teddy will also be joined by Chris Rodney who has signed on as the club’s senior assistant coach. Rodders comes to St John’s with a wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as Premiership victories at Kilsyth, Sandown Cobras and Hampton Park. 

St John’s have moved up to Division 3 with the VAFA’s restructure of the Divisional sections over this pre-season. 

Masala Dandenong Football Club is very excited to announce Luke Broomhall as the clubs Senior Coach for Season 2024.

2023 was Broomhall’s first season with Masala and he made an immediate impact amongst the playing group. Broomhall played every game in his debut season with the Tigers and kicked 20 goals. 

Next year he will take on greater responsibility being a player-coach of the club as Masala-Dandenong look to get back into the top four in Division 3. 

La Trobe University is excited to announce that Andy Castles will coach the Senior Men in 2024.

‘Cas’ has packed a lot into his 83 games at our club, winning the 2019 Senior men’s Best and Fairest, Senior men’s captain for the last three years that includes being the clubs the Premiership captain in 2022.

Castles has a background in teaching and PE. His focus is on fitness, and his leadership and experience at the club all made him the outstanding candidate for the role.

After putting together an incredible 2023 season on the field, Michael Topp has been announced as the next coach of the Cobras leading into the 2024 season.

Topp takes over the role from Nathan Walsh who told the Canterbury website he sees so much upside to this playing group moving forward.

Topp elevated his own game in 2023 being named a member of the Division 3 team of the year, as well as winning the clubs best and fairest award. 

“From the moment I walked in everyone was super welcoming, super friendly, and you feel right at home. And when you feel like that it’s just a great place to be.” Topp told the Canterbury media team.

 

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