Roberts re-appointed with expanded role

University Blacks have announced premiership coach, Cam Roberts, will return to lead the talented young group again in 2017.

Roberts’ role will expand in more ways than one next year as he focuses on mentoring and developing young players through the Blacks Academy, as well as taking up an assisting coaching position with the Western Bulldogs women’s team.

The 2016 William Buck Premier finalists made the announcement earlier today, detailing the new roles Roberts will undertake.

“Cam’s role will be expanded over the next 12 months to include a specific focus on the Blacks Academy, providing on and off field leadership, mentoring and development for our young players, many of whom are young men from the country, living away from home for the first time,” the statement reads.

Roberts will undertake his role with the Bulldogs from November through to March and he will join former Monash Blues senior coach, Paul Groves, after he was appointed senior coach in August.

“The Bulldogs commitment fits in perfectly around the Blacks preseason with training on alternate nights to Blacks, meaning coaching and Blacks sessions will not be compromised.”

“It is a great opportunity for Cam to be part of an elite system and ride the wave of success the Western Bulldogs have experienced of late with the recent Senior and VFL teams winning premierships. Importantly the opportunity will allow some key learnings to be bought back to the Blacks and implemented to enhance our preparation and opportunity to succeed in 2017.”

Roberts was at the helm for the Blacks’ 2014 William Buck Premier flag and re-joined at the start of 2016. Showcasing his elite coaching ability, Roberts also led the Big V Senior Representative side to Vic Metro Champions in March last year.

Read the full statement below:

“The University Blacks are pleased to advise that Cameron Roberts has been reappointed as Senior Coach for 2017.

Cam has built a strong and dedicated coaching team around him over the past 12 months and we are delighted that all the 2016 coaching panel across the Seniors, Reserves and Under 19’s inclusive of Scott Leal, Lukas Markovic, Lincoln Merlo, Brad Copeland, Xavier Maloney, Beau Harris and Gus Brown have indicated their intention to return to the Club for 2017. Recruitment and pre-season plans are well under way under Cam’s leadership.

Cam’s role will be expanded over the next 12 months to include a specific focus on the Blacks Academy, providing on and off field leadership, mentoring and development for our young players, many of whom are young men from the country, living away from home for the first time.

Coming off a successful 2016 season that saw the Club make the VAFA Premier finals with a young and talented squad, we feel there is much to look forward to in season 2017 for the Uni Blacks.

The Club would also like to congratulate Cam on his recent appointment as Assistant Coach at the Western Bulldogs AFL Women’s Team – Forward Line Coach.

His involvement with the Western Bulldogs will be from the end of November 2016 through to the end of March 2017. The new AFL Women’s competition will commence at the start of February with 7 rounds of the home away and season to be played culminating with the top two teams at the end of the home and away season playing off in the Grand Final. The AFL Women’s season will be completed before the VAFA season commences.

The Bulldogs commitment fits in perfectly around the Blacks preseason with training on alternate nights to Blacks, meaning coaching and Blacks sessions will not be compromised. It is a great opportunity for Cam to be part of an elite system and ride the wave of success the Western Bulldogs have experienced of late with the recent Senior and VFL teams winning premierships. Importantly the opportunity will allow some key learnings to be bought back to the Blacks and implemented to enhance our preparation and opportunity to succeed in 2017.

All at the Blacks wish Cam well in this exciting new role.”