Blacks November update - footy department changes & more!

Ok, well it is almost Black Friday, and we’re due for an off-season update!

While there is no on-field footy action at the moment, the Uni Blacks have been busy behind the scenes consolidating our hard-fought 2024 success of remaining in Premier grade. Recruiting is strong, for both on and off field roles. There is a growing sense of optimism and momentum behind the Blacks 2025 campaign, and we’re excited to bring you recruiting news and updates as the off-season rolls into pre-season.

Before we wrap up 2024, as at the end of any season, there are a number of departing people to acknowledge and thank. Our Head of Football, Cameron Wood, has stepped down from his role. "Woody" joined the Blacks in October 2021 and we have been grateful for his wealth of AFL-level experience over the past 3 years.

We also farewell from our coaching ranks long-time club servant Rob Paterson. "Pato" took on the Reserves’ coaching role for season 2020 in his second stint at the Blacks, having also been involved at the Blacks during the triumphant ascent through the grades in the early 2000s. From the outset, Pato’s determination for success shone through, and having built strong Reserves’ squads for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, it is a great pity those sides suffered from so little football. One could be forgiven for saying it was all too hard heading into pre-season for 2022, but the team fronted up once more, headed by Pato, and produced a thoroughly consistent campaign that led to the team reaching the Grand Final vs De La Salle. Though that result didn’t go the way of the Blacks, the hard work and shared journey of that season was a testament to Pato’s leadership. The 2023 and 2024 seasons have proven tougher in the 2s with the step up to Premier, however, as Pato noted himself after the 2s win in Round 18 vs Blues, the core Ressies group stuck by each other's side even when results weren’t going our way, and again this speaks to Pato’s optimism and resolve. We thank Pato for his long-standing service to the club and wish him well in future footballing endeavours.

In addition, Senior Assistant Coach Shane Joyce is moving on from his role at the Blacks. In order to be closer to his family, "Joycey" will be taking up a role at Murrubmeena FNC - we wish him all the best at the Lions and thank him for his valuable time at the Blacks. Finally, we also wish to thank Chris Thompson who has stepped down from his role as the Under 19s coach in 2024. Chris took over one of the biggest challenges at the Blacks’, and did a great job in his first season of full-time coaching. While results were often tough in 2024, Chris’ leadership is exemplified by the fact that the core of the Unders’ side remained strong and committed throughout the season.

Recruiting to fill the big gaps left by our departing coaches is well underway, and we are delighted to be able to announce a couple of locked-in new Blackers!

First of all, we welcome new Senior Assistant Coach Patrick Byrne, who will be responsible for the midfield group in the Seniors, with a focus also on our player recruitment pathways and Under 19s retention. Paddy brings a wealth of local footy experience and connections to the Blacks, most recently as Senior Coach for the past four years at Avondale Heights in the Essendon District Football League. We can't wait to see the new energy that Paddy brings to the Club at pre-season training, as he gets up to speed on all things Blacks.

Our second Senior Assistant Coach appointment to announce is Chris Browne, who will be leading our backline group. Browny is fresh from a year off coaching, after having previously tasted the ultimate success at Leopold in the Geelong Football League as an assistant under the great Gary “Buddha” Hocking, in back to back seasons. The club knows that our success is often built from our backline core, led from the front by Senior Captain Campbell Moorfield, and having another sharp mind like Chris' around the group is very exciting to see what new heights our "back 6" can reach in 2025. 

We’re also excited to announce the appointment of Zac Leiser-Moore in the role of Head of Strength and Conditioning. Zac is a strong addition to our club with recruiting, performance analysis and player development experience at the Western Bulldogs and with the North Melbourne AFLW side, as well as assistant coaching experience at East Brighton. Zac will be in the thick of it come November 25, when pre-season officially recommences for the Club, as the players build up their foundational base of skills and conditioning once more for another assault on VAFA footy in 2025!

Welcome to Zac, Browny and Paddy - we’re super excited for what you will bring to the Blacks throughout pre-season and into 2025.

Stay tuned folks for ongoing updates from the Club, including several pending player recruit announcements, as well as a recap of our 2024 award winners.

Go Blacks!!!