Peter German instructs his charges at a training session.
While the second phase of Coburg Football Club’s preseason campaign is coming to an end, a few changes have been made for the club’s Football Department in regards to the makeup of the Coaching Staff- and we are delighted to announce after a lengthy period, that it has been finalized.
While it has already been announced that Paul Kennedy will be the clubs Head Development Coach, and Senior Assistant to Peter German, an entire changeover will be made to the senior coaching panel.
Tony Regan is the new backline coach of the seniors. He comes from the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup- where he was a part time assistant coach and the match day runner, which included the 2016 premiership side.
New Senior Backline Coach Tony Regan instructs orders during training.
Tony has a diverse background in football, spanning over 20 seasons. His playing days began in the VAFA with Old Paradians, before heading to Sydney to play with Pennant Hills- where he would end up coaching, which included the likes of Mark McVeigh & Lenny Hayes. Tony has also been involved with the Sydney Swans and Richmond in match day roles, and also was a forward scout for St.Kilda. He has also held coaching roles with local clubs Old Paradians, Yarra Valley and Templestowe. Coming from a teaching background, Tony’s philosophy of success as well as tempo style football, and source pressure fits in well with the club’s values going forward and he can’t wait for 2017.
“Having been involved with the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup, I was looking to further my involvement with an elite program, along with the opportunity to work with Peter German and the other coaching staff,” Regan said.
“I’m excited about watching a young group of guys come together and seeing how far they can go with their footy. Similar to the Western Bulldogs last year in the AFL, a group of young men finding out how food they can be. A footy season always brings plenty of challenges,whether it be winning games of footy, or motivating, challenging and developing a group of young men to be their best, and developing a game plan with the other coaches innovative and at the VFL’s forefront.”
It is also with great pleasure that we confirm Andrew Sturgess will return to the club for season 2017, after winning Seymour’s Best and Fairest award in the 2016 Goulburn Valley Football League season. A former Northern Knights TAC Cup player, Sturgess joined the club for its first stand-alone season in 2014 and instantly established himself as a senior regular and in the leadership group. After an injury hit 2015 season, Sturgess would struggle to retain his senior spot and would move on at the end of 2015, and will still play for Seymour when coaching commitments don’t allow.
Andrew Sturgess is a welcome inclusion as Senior Midfield Coach at the Lions in 2017.
Sturgess’ inclusion to the coaching staff will be a vital one. Having been coached by German in 2014 and 15, his knowledge of German’s game plan, training methods and expectations of players, as well as ‘Coburg Footy,’ will be vital to the players, especially the midfield group. Also a schoolteacher, Sturgess has also acted as a mentor for prisoners at the Parkville Juvenile Detention Centre, and is much respected by past and present players he played alongside with.
“I’m extremely keen to be back at the club and excited about the club’s vision moving forward,” said Sturgess.
“The thing I’m most looking forward to is working with a young group to develop them as footballers, people and leaders. I’m also looking forward to working under and learning from Peter German, and seeing how far I can push myself with my coaching.”
Lachlan Waterman brings a vast amount of knowledge to the Lions for season 2017.
In charge of the Forward Line will be Lachlan Waterman. Waterman spent 2016 coaching in the Western Australian town of Geraldton, with Mullewa Saints. Originally a South Australian, Waterman played in the lower grades of the SANFL with Glenelg, as well as local football with Plympton and Reynella. His coaching career has spanned for 20 years coaching across South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria.
An accredited level three AFL Coach, Waterman spent five seasons with the WAFL’s East Fremantle, where he was responsible for various roles, including Forward Line and Development Coach, and Opposition Analyst- which included a Grand Final appearance and falling short of another during that stint. Waterman also has coached in the TAC Cup with Sandringham Dragons, and the VAFA’s Old Scotch, as well as SANFL under 19 level. Having Coached at East Fremantle under Steve Malaxos, a former colleague of German’s, Waterman can’t wait to coach again at State League level, this time in the VFL.
“This is a fantastic opportunity. From what I have been told, Coburg has become a destination club for kids hungry to get snapped up in the draft,” said Waterman.
“I have already received a warm welcome from the Coburg players and coaching staff, and am really keen to make an impact on the player’s careers.”
“I am looking forward to working alongside Peter German, Peter has a wealth of knowledge and experience and has proven results all around Australia. You can’t buy that experience in a milk bar. We may be able to get a slight edge on some of the opposition clubs, because I’ve noticed there are a number of rookie coaches in the VFL this season.”
Paul Kennedy will play a crucial part under Peter German in 2017.
Waterman is also back in Melbourne to promote his new book – Kings of the Game, which celebrates the storied careers of the most successful premiership-winning coaches in the game. Available www.kingsofthegame.net or Dymocks Adelaide and Collins St.
With Kennedy overseeing all aspects of football in the coaching box with German and his fellow senior assistants, his role as Head Development Team Coach will also see him work with players individually regarding player development, whether it be at senior or development level.
Adam Paterson will return for his fourth season in charge of the development
Development Midfield Coach Adam Paterson returns once again for a fourth season with the Lions.
midfield, making him the only member of the coaching staff besides German who still remain from 2014.
“It’s the best competition behind the AFL, and I love my footy, so there’s no better place for me to be in 2017,” said Paterso
n.
Paul Dunn will also return for his second season as development backline coach, after crossing over from Essendon VFL at the start of 2016.
“I’m really looking forward to working closely with our 1st year players to help them make the transition from TAC & Local footy into the VFL. Our new interactive learning model installs leadership and accountability across the entire playing group which ensures that everyone is able to play their role for the success of the team,” Dunn said.
Development Backline Coach Paul Dunn returns for another year at Piranha Park.
“Having an emphasis on the players being in control of their own skills training allows us as coaches more 1 on 1 time which is vital to the development of our players. The challenges ahead are that we must continue to refine our systems and individual programs to ensure that our younger players are educated structurally & managed correctly due to the workloads to both prepare and to recover for football at VFL level.”
Melissa Ashman will take over as the clubs Development Forward Line Coach. Melissa has played over 200 games of senior VWFL matches with VU Western Spurs, St.Kilda Sharks and Port Melbourne Colts. Having known club president Kevin Breen
Melissa Ashman is excited about making her way into the coaching ranks in 2017.
(also a life member of Port Colts) for some time, Melissa was keen to enter the coaching caper and cannot wait to enhance her knowledge with the Lions.
“What I am looking forward to most about to coaching with Coburg in 2017 is being a part of an experienced and respected coaching team and football club working towards success. Learning from the coaches and players along with sharing my experiences from being a part of the Victorian Women’s football League, which may create a different view,” Ashman said.
Michael Talbot will also be a Coaches Assistant with the club in 2017. Michael has been involved in sports coaching with primary schools and is currently a sports coach
Michael Talbot comes to Coburg willing to increase & expand on his knowledge of his Coaching.
with Melbourne Grammar School. Having played his junior football with Northern Football League side Mernda, Michael completed his Bachelor of Sports Coaching Degree at Victoria University in 2015, and also completed an internship with the Fremantle Football Club’s Melbourne based recruiting department.
“There are two things I am looking forward to the most. The first being the opportunity to learn off the other coaches. They have invaluable experience and knowledge. The second is the enthusiasm from the coaches as well as the players!”
“Everyone has a great attitude and is always trying to improve. It’s an infectious environment to be a part of,” said Talbot.
Another inclusion to the Football Department will be former Captain Nick Carnell. After retiring from football at the end of 2016 with his junior club Greensborough, Carnell will assist the club with the 2017 Leadership Group, and will also be responsible for overseeing the clubs Development Academy, involving the clubs first and second year players.
“I’m looking forward to working with a bunch of young men who are eager to learn and improve in all aspects of their footballing and personal life. I am also really excited to be back involved in the Coburg Football Club and in a professional environment again. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn from some amazing leaders as well as impact others which will hopefully continue to build up and strengthen this great football club,” said Carnell.
Derek McConn will remain as the clubs High Performance Manager, with 2017 being his second season at the club after crossing over from the Box Hill Hawks.
General Manager Craig Lees was pleased to have finalized the 2017 coaching staff after a lengthy period, and is looking forward to working with all members this upcoming season.
“We are thrilled with the appointments of the 2017 coaching staff. We have added some experiences coaches and mentors, that will add value and professionalism to our developing playing group.”
“With the work Seb has done with our List Management and the program Derek has implemented from High Performance with elite standards, we have given ourselves the best opportunity to furthermore impact the VFL in 2017,” Lees said.
Lastly, the club would like to thank its outgoing staff from season 2016- Football Manager Ron Rooney, long time Senior Assistant Richard Peoples, Midfield Coach Ricky Petterd (Box Hill Hawks), Forwards Coach Adam Campbell (Hamilton, Hampden FL), long-time head Development Coach Marcus Hastings (Northern Knights), and Opposition Analyst and Development Assistant James Belcher. We wish them all the best in their future football endeavors.
