Andrews, Purcell headline key Old Trinity coaching appointments

Old Trinity will look to break through for their first William Buck Premier flag with Adam Andrews at the helm after he was reappointed as senior coach for 2017.

Andrews has guided the T’s to the last day of the VAFA season for the past two years, with his charges winning more games than any other club through the home and away fixtures.

Former assistant coach, Gerard Sholly, will return as Andrews’ right hand man alongside Martin Heffernan and Speros Beasley.

2016 Junior Coach of the Year winner, Tom Purcell, will lead the T’s Under 19s next year after claiming the award with his St Kevin’s OB co-coach, James Kennedy, last night. Purcell helped lead SKOB’s Holmesglen Under 19 Premier side to the flag on the back of 15 home and away victories.

Read Old Trinity’s full list of appointments below:

“Some great news from the Club as we all look forward to Christmas.

Old Trinity AFC is thrilled to announce Adam Andrews has been reappointed for 2017 for his seventh year as senior coach.

An old boy and member of the 1996 B Grade premiership team, we are delighted that Adam has once again chosen to be a part of this journey for everyone associated with the Club.

Three-time VAFA Coach of the Year, we reckon the best is yet to come as we look forward to going one better in 2017.

To support Adam, we welcome back Gerard Sholly, the backbone of our assistant coaches. Hugely experienced and with a real love of the Club we are very once again fortunate to have him back giving his all for the OT. Joining him are new colleagues, Martin Heffernan and Speros Beasley. In addition, Lucien Dean-Johns will remain as an assistant coach, concentrating on opposition analysis.

Martin joins us after stints with Parade and Heidelberg as a player. As a coach, Martin commenced with Old Ivanhoe, moved back to Old Paradians and more recently spent time at Heidelberg as a senior assistant.

Speros is well known to all after three years as Under 19 coach at Old Trinity culminating in a premiership in 2014. He moved to coach our Development Team in 2015 and 2016, taking the team to their first finals appearance for many years. We look forward to Martin and Speros taking on line coaching roles in 2017.

Moving into the role of Development Team coach, we’re really excited to welcome to the Club, Heath Pohl. Callum’s older brother, Heath had a distinguished playing career at Hurstbridge and continued for five seasons at senior level until injury curtailed his playing career. At 24, Heath turned his hand to coaching the Hurstbridge Under 19’s and continued on to be assistant at Kinglake and, more recently, assistant at Xavier College seniors. Heath will be assisted by Steve Young who continues his role as the Development Team assistant.

In more re-appointment news, we were delighted to obtain the signature of Thirds coach, Steve Woodward, after he led us to the 2016 premiership this year.

We are thrilled to also announce Tom Purcell as our new Under 19’s coach for 2017. Tom has had a long and distinguished career in coaching and is the current successful Under 19’s premiership coach of St Kevin’s OB.

Tom joined Trinity Grammar School in recent years as a teacher and now we not only have a well credentialed, successful coach but a direct linkage to the school.

In an inaugural year for our women’s team, we are also pleased to confirm the appointment of Liam Tobin; ex-Box Hill 2013 premiership player and current Noble Park player. Liam coached the Whitehorse Women’s to fourth last year and is currently at Blackburn High School as a PE Teacher.

The Committee congratulate all on their appointments for the 2017 season – “One Club 5 Teams”

Photo: Herald Sun