COACHING MERRY GO ROUND

Every season we usher in a new breed of football’s finest minds to the exalted and pressurised positions of senior coach at one of the VAFA’s 75 clubs. The end of the 2014 season is no different to any other with a raft of clubs exploring a different direction or in some cases, clubs forced to look elsewhere as their leading voice changes their own commitments. 
So what do we know so far? 
In Premier Section Beaumaris and Old Xaverians were the two clubs looking for a coach or coaching team prior to the end of the season and in good news for both clubs, they have filled the void. Current player Brayden Haynes will coach the Sharks and he will be assisted by one of the best coaches of the past two decades in Brian Royal. Haynes is a most decorated player at the Sharks; a four time best and fairest winner and former captain of the club. With Haynes likely to still be playing in 2015, Royal will have an expanded match day role. 
At Old Xaverians, Pat Hawkins will continue as Co-Coach, although he will be joined by former premiership player Ted Woodruff replacing Simon Lethlean who only committed to the club for the remainder of the 2014 season. 
Ted Woodruff played 231 games for Old Xavs and played in multiple senior Premiership teams (1998, 1999, 2007). Coincidentally Ted was Captain of the 1996 Under 19 Premiership team that was coached by Pat Hawkins. Ted has been a long term assistant coach at the club having helped Simon Lethlean, Andy Gowers, and Nick Bourke and Dom Berry.
The breaking news in Premier came last week, when University Blacks announced on their website that their reigning premiership coach Cameron Roberts will not be continuing next year. Roberts signing off from Blacks as a one season wonder. Blacks’ search for a replacement is on. 
In Premier B, coaching changes have come quick and fast as this section has fast become the section with former AFL players at the helm. 
AJAX have appointed former Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs player Marty Pask as their senior coach for the 2015 season. Pask takes over the Jackers after back to back seasons of finishing fifth under Leigh McQuillen who was seeking alternative options. Pask was director of coaching of the AJAX juniors in 2014 and takes the step up to the senior role for 2015. 
Mazenod have appointed former AFL 192 game player (Fremantle and St Kilda) and of course former Nodder himself, Heath Black to the senior coaching position for 2015. Black replaces Adrian Connolly who had been in charge at Mazenod for 3 seasons plus another year as an assistant taking them from Premier C to Premier B. Black played senior footy at Mazenod as a 16 year old before returning to the club in 2013 
There is change too at Old Brighton. The relegated Tonners have tasked Greg Hutchinson with returning them back to Premier Section. Hutchinson played 96 games for Melbourne and led them for 13 games as interim coach in 1997 after Neil Balme was sacked. Hutchinson replaces Simon Williams who has stepped away to spend more time with his family after leading the club back to Premier collecting the 2013 Premier B premiership on the way through. The Tonners narrowly missed staying in the top section by percentage to De La Salle this year. 
Caulfield Grammarians have appointed Wayne Oswald to replace the retiring Tim O’Shaughnessy. Oswald has spent time at many VAFA clubs and he has also spent a number of years working in the elite pathway programs for Sandringham Dragons. 
In Premier C, Old Haileyburians have confirmed that Matthew Brewer has been appointed as senior coach for 2015. Matthew is a former VFL premiership captain (Box Hill) and he played a pivotal playing role in the OHAFC Premier (A Section) premiership in 2006.
In recent times Matthew has been assistant coach for the OHAFC senior team. Matt takes over the post from Stewart Loewe who has taken a step back due to family commitments.
Division 1 coaching changes are still all to be finalised, but Whitefriars were the first club on the front foot, appointing Dick Baker to take over from Fraser Cameron. 
Baker has had a long association with Amateur football having initially played with the Commonwealth Bank from 1982 to 1986 and then with Whitefriars Old Collegians from 1987 to 1992. He has spent the last two years as Assistant Coach of the Whitefriars Old Collegians U/19’s during which time the team won the Section 3 premiership in 2013 and finished 3rd in Section 2 in 2014
In Division 2, it will hopefully be a happy return to Thomas Carroll Reserve in 2015 for Ben McGee. The JOCs will be hoping to celebrate a 10-year premiership reunion of sorts as their 2005 premiership-coach McGee will to take the reins of the senior side from outgoing coach Steve Ware.
Many clubs advertise for a senior coach every year as it is part of their constitution. Whether or not they appoint someone new, only time will tell. Keep up to the latest coaching changes here at vafa.com.au.