Skip to content
VAFA

VAFA

  • Media
    • News
    • Videos
    • VAFA TV
    • Live Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Amateur Footballer
    • Record Archive
    • Photos
    • Join VAFA Media
  • Football
    • Fixtures
    • Live Scores
    • Results
    • Ladders
    • Player Transfers
    • Tribunal
    • Rising Star Nominations
    • Big V
  • VAFA HQ
    • About the VAFA
    • Clubs
    • Board
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
    • Events
    • Annual Reports
    • Strategic Plan
    • Integrity Tip-offs
    • Jobs Board
  • Club Admin
    • Club Support
    • VAFA Portal
    • PlayHQ Login
    • Player Registrations
    • Practice Match Requests
    • VAFA Calendar
    • Rules & Policies
    • Insurance
    • Coach Accreditation
    • Merchandise Store
  • Partners
  • History
    • History of the VAFA
    • VAFA Clubs
    • Life Members
    • Office Bearers & Patrons
    • Executive Members
    • Awards
    • Finals Series
    • Representative Football
    • Big V Club
  • Big V
  • VAFA Portal
Section
Mens
Womens
Choose Section
Premier
Premier B
Premier C
Div 1
Div 2
Div 3
Under 19
Umpires
Premier
Premier B
Div 1
Div 2
Div 3
Div 4
Umpires
Latest News

Five named 2019 VAFA Coaches of the Year at VAFA Awards Night

By VAFA Media · December 2, 2019
Five named 2019 VAFA Coaches of the Year at VAFA Awards Night

Five VAFA coaches were rewarded for their outstanding performances in 2019 after they were crowned Coaches of the Year at last night’s VAFA Awards Night.

Mathew Montebello (CYs), Michael Wines (YOGs), Ash Naulty (Aquinas), Gareth Henderson (Therry Penola) and Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch) were each recognised for successful seasons at the helm of their respective clubs at a special event held at Elsternwick Park.

Montebello, who was named the Premier Men’s Coach of the Year, guided his team to the Premier C premiership and into Premier B for the first time in club history.

After commencing his career at the Fearon as U18’s coach and as the club’s Coaching Director whereby he oversaw the development of a coaching manual for the club’s juniors from U16’s to U19’s, Montebello just ticked off his sixth year as senior coach.

Former Yarra Old Grammarians President, club captain and premiership player, Michael Wines, was named the Premier Women’s Coach of the Year.

After playing in Division 3 in 2018 and struggling for numbers over the off-season, Yarra’s women’s side went on a recruiting drive and walked from the MCG to Doncaster Reserve to raise awareness, culminating in two teams in Premier C and ultimately their section’s senior flag under Wines’ leadership.

After winning their second flag in three seasons, Aquinas’ Ash Naulty received the Divisions Men Coach of the Year Award. Naulty has raised the standards significantly since joining the Bloods in 2017, but it was his leadership and guidance after the loss of young player, Tyson Noyes, that stood out above all others.

In just his first year of coaching the women’s team, Therry Penola’s Gareth Henderson was named the Divisions Women’s Coach of the Year. Henderson’s passion for developing younger players paid dividends this season as the Lions claimed the minor premiership before defeating Williamstown CYMS twice in finals en route to the Division 2 flag.

Earlier in the night, Old Scotch’s Mark Gnatt was awarded the Holmesglen U19’s Coach of the Year after he led their Premier side to the ultimate success after finishing fourth on the ladder at the end of the home and away fixture. It was the first U19 Premier grand final win for Scotch since 1952.

Aquinas trainer, Jacob Mumford, was named the Victor Sports trainer of the Year, while Old Xaverians received the Winning Edge Club Championship Award on 213 points – the highest recorded number since the award was introduced and the club’s third since 2012.

Award Winners:

  • Premier Men’s Coach of the Year: Mathew Montebello (Williamstown CYMS)
  • Premier Women’s Coach of the Year: Michael Wines (Yarra Old Grammarians)
  • Divisions Men’s Coach of the Year: Ash Naulty (Aquinas OCFC)
  • Divisions Women’s Coach of the Year: Gareth Henderson (Therry Penola)
  • Holmesglen U19’s Coach of the Year: Mark Gnatt (Old Scotch)
  • Victor Sports Trainer of the Year: Jacob Mumford (Aquinas OCFC)
  • Winning Edge Club Championship: Old Xaverians (213 points)

More News

More
image
Community

BCNA Awareness Round 2025: Clubs making a difference

The 2025 VAFA’s Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) Round took place during the weekend of May 9–11, aligning with Mother’s Day on May 11. Many clubs also showed their support

Read More
image
Premier B Women's

Stalemate steals the show as Xavs and Tigers go toe-to-toe

Round 6 of Premier B Women’s had something for everyone, with the competition bearing witness to the first draw of the season, a top of the table clash, and another

Read More
image
Division 3 Men's

Demons raise hell, Bulls achieve historic stampede

Round 6 would provide much of the same within the Men’s Division 3 Competition. Despite the rain last Saturday, it did not prevent some teams from scoring. Four teams would

Read More
Connect with the VAFA
  • social image
  • social image
  • social image
  • social image
  • social image
image

FIND YOUR LOCAL CLUB

SEARCH NOW
image

VAFA PODCASTS

LISTEN NOW
image

BECOME A VAFA UMPIRE

JOIN NOW
Latest News
All News
image
Latest News

BCNA Awareness Round 2025: Clubs making a difference

image
Latest News

Stalemate steals the show as Xavs and Tigers go toe-to-toe

image
Latest News

Demons raise hell, Bulls achieve historic stampede

Premium Partner
partner logo
Major Partner
partner logo
Official Partners
partner logo
partner logo
partner logo
partner logo
View All Partners
footer logo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
MENU
  • HOME
  • MEDIA
  • LATEST NEWS
  • VAFA HQ
  • PARTNERS
  • HISTORY
  • BIG V
QUICK LINKS
  • FOOTBALL
  • FIXTURES & RESULTS
  • VAFA CLUBS
  • CLUB ADMIN
  • MERCHANDISE STORE
  • VAFA PORTAL
  • CONTACT US
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

The VAFA acknowledge the traditional owners of country, on which we play our great game, and pay our respects to them, their culture and Elders past and present.

footer logo

© 2025 VAFA

  • PRIVACY POLICY