VAFA launches Women’s Academy Series
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New faces leading Men’s Divisional coaching ranks for 2025
The VAFA Men’s Divisions promise to be hotly contested again in 2025 and a number of clubs have signed new Senior Coaches to lead their campaign.
Here’s the latest coaching news from Divisions 1,2 & 3 of the Men’s competition:
DIVISION 1 MEN’S
OLD PENINSULA has a new Senior Coach with former player Brendan Dunne returning to the Pirates in 2025.
Brendan captained Peninsula Grammar’s First XVIII in 2004 and played senior footy for Old Peninsula in 2003-04 before spending four seasons with Frankston in the VFL.
He led Karingal Football Club to two grand finals in 2011 and 2019, and went on to captain-coach Hastings, leading them to the 2016 premiership.
Twice named MPNFL Coach of the Year, Brendan most recently served as the caretaker coach at Hastings in 2024 and has spent the last four years coaching the Mt Eliza Juniors.
2024 caretaker coach Steven Kidd will continue as an Assistant Coach in 2025.
OAKLEIGH also has a new face at the helm with Chris Worner taking the Senior Coaching role in 2025.
Chris arrives with plenty of experience from playing elite juniors with Bendigo Pioneers, VFL with Sandringham and Casey, and local footy at Chelsea.
From a coaching perspective, Chris has led Chelsea JFC & St Kilda’s Next Generation Academy, been Senior Assistant Coach at Chelsea, and then Senior Coach at Hampton Hammers in the SFL.
The Krushers will be desperate to bounce back after being relegated from Premier C at the end of a challenging 2024 season. Chris’ arrival opens a new chapter in what promises to be a very competitive section from top to bottom, with a host of excellent teams vying to step up to Premier level in 2026.
THERRY PENOLA has appointed former player John Tate as Senior Coach in 2025.
John represented the Big V with distinction as a Lion before going on to play in the VFL, GVFL & EDFL.
Since his transition into the coaching ranks, he has held a combination of junior & senior positions at Strathmore, Tullamarine, Keilor and Overnewton College.
The Lions finished 8th in 2024, one game clear of relegation and will be focused on rising up into finals contention under their new mentor.
DIVISION 2 MEN’S
CANTERBURY has risen to Division 2 after its magnificent 2024 Div 3 premiership victory and will be led by new Senior Coach Steve Brown in 2025.
Steve arrives at the Cobras after 12 years of experience with Edenhope, De La Salle, Preston Bullants and Mordialloc football clubs, where he held roles as Reserves Coach and Senior Assistant Coach.
2015 Canterbury premiership coach Mick Harper has rejoined the Cobras as the club’s Head of Football Operations – Women after his stint at Fitzroy which saw him lead the Roygirls into a Grand Final.
DIVISION 3 MEN’S
BOX HILL NORTH has a new Senior Coach with Beau Parthenides taking charge at the Demons in 2025.
Beau has a wealth of football experience, involved in more than 300 senior games across five clubs – Banyule, Glen Waverley, Nunawading, East Doncaster and Box Hill North.
He captained Nunawading in 2014-15, was their Playing Assistant Coach in 2023 and now gets the opportunity to take the next step in his coaching career.
If your club has made a new coach or player signing, let us know via our social media channels or at: [email protected].
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