Joint senior coaches to lead Old Carey in 2016

Former AFL assistant coach, Paul O’Connell, and 2015 VAFA U19 premiership coach, Michael Tarrant, have been announced as joint senior coaches of Old Carey Grammarians for the 2016 VAFA season.

After two years at the helm, Glenn Cox has stepped down to spend more time with his family and to concentrate on his business.

“After an extensive search Old Carey Grammarians FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul O’Connell and Michael Tarrant to the position of joint Senior Coaches for season 2016. Sadly Glenn Cox was unable to continue in the role, after two great seasons at the club it was time for Glenn to spend more quality time with his young family and business, we are indebted to Glenn.

Paul has a rich football history, having played in the WAFL, WAAFL, VAFA and in NSW and coached in NSW as well as the VAFA: MHSOB and at Old Brighton. Beyond that Paul has held both part time and full time support coaching roles in the AFL: Collingwood, Hawthorn and St Kilda.

PLAYING HISTORY

• WAFL: East Fremantle U19’s 1985
• WAAFL: Trinity-Aquinas A Grade Amateurs 1985-1992
• VAFA: MHSOB C & B Grade Amateurs 1993-1996
• Sydney Football League: North Shore 1997-2000 and UTS 2003 (captain/playing assistant)

COACHING HISTORY

• SFL: North Shore, assistant coach 2001
• SFL: UTS, playing senior assistant coach 2003
• VAFA: MHSOB U19, coach 2006
• VAFA: Old Brighton Grammarians FC, senior assistant coach 2015

AFL HISTORY

• 2002-2005 Collinwood FC, opposition analyst (part time)
• 2008-2011 Hawthorn FC, opposition analyst (part time)
• 2012-2014 St Kilda FC, opposition coach and bench coach (full time)

Professionally, Paul is the Sales Director at Ryder Commercial Real Estate and is married to Sarah and has two sons, Finn and Charlie.

Michael moves up into the role having coached our Under 19’s for the past 3 seasons, winning the 2015 Under 19 Section 3 premiership in style. Michael’s enthusiasm and passion are his strengths and the players respond accordingly. Michael’s focus will be on the development and welfare of the club’s entire playing list and challenging the players. Michael has prior senior coaching experience having coached Forrest Hills in the EFL. Professionally, Michael is a residential property developer and is married to Carolyn and has two children, Eva and Mahlia.

In announcing the joint appointment of Paul and Michael, we are very excited to have secured two experienced and committed individuals to lead our club. Their combined football philosophy is built around open communication, team first attitude and hard work. The emphasis will be in part on the development of our next generation of Panther footballers. With pre-season looming our players will certainly get plenty of this instilled into them as they prepare for an improved season in 2016.

On behalf of the club and our extended football community, we welcome Paul to Old Carey and congratulate Michael in joining Paul as the club’s joint Senior Coaches for season 2016.”

Paul Newton

President, Old Carey GFC