With pre-season kicking off this Thursday 16th Jan, it’s timely we update you with our coaching line up for season 2020. In what will be our 50th year as a senior club, I’m delighted to advise we have our strongest and largest coaching group ever assembled at our club, all committed to helping our players and teams perform at their peak.

 

Men’s Premier Division.

Chris Yard will line up for a club record 9th season as senior club coach.

 

Damian Dell’ Aquila has accepted dual role as Chairman of Selectors for the club, and will also continue as prems midfield co assistant coach.

 

After playing in the SANFL and NEAFL for the past few years, Jackson Potter is back full-time at the club as playing midfield Assistant Coach. Great to have one of our favourite sons back at Penno for season 2020.

 

Welcome Ben Roberts (Robbo) to the Penno family. A very experienced footballer, Tassie boy who has played/ coached at the highest levels in both Tasmania and Queensland, Robbo has relocated to Sydney and we are delighted to have secured him as Assistant Coach – Backline.

 

Donny Ollington will continue his great work from last season as Assistant Coach- Forward line.

 

We are super confident that there is no other club in Sydney AFL with a more experienced coaching line up for season 2020.

 

Men’s Reserves.

We are awaiting final confirmation before announcing our Men’s Reserve grade coach and expect to be able to do so later this month. Exciting news ahead so stay tuned.

 

We can advise that Sam Zikman and Damian Dell’Aquila are locked in as playing Assistant Coaches for season 2020. Damo is a perfect addition to the reserves coaching group given his vast experience and now Chairman of Selectors position, and Ziks experience and knowledge of the game (he even works for the AFL) is second to none.

 

Wayne Keating will again Assistant Coach and continue to run the board for ressies.

 

What a great team of coaches to replace a great coach!

 

Under 19’s

As previously advised. Todd Williams appointed to Head of Football and senior coach for the important under 19 grade.  2019 coach Drew Maddock has needed to step back a little this year due to work commitments, but pleasingly has agreed to Assistant Coach with Todd. We are unsure at this stage whether we have the numbers for 2 teams, but that’s still our ambition. Todd has a great support team of people including Drew, Aaron Crisfield, Tom Edmonds and Joel Cousen’s along with the Mens coaching group to develop our younger players.

Exciting year ahead for this group.

 

Womens Premier Division, Division 1/2 and Division 3

What an exciting year ahead for our womens program as they enter Premier Division in 2020. We are yet to determine whether our second team will be promoted to play Div 1 or remain in Div 2 this year, but can confirm that Penno will be fielding a Div 3 team again.

 

Mark Carroll will continue driving our women’s program as Head of Women’s Football for the club, and this season will take on the additional role of Womens Div 3 Coach.

 

After a comprehensive review for the Prems Coach, Daniel Fiedler has been promoted to lead our inaugural season. Fid’s continues to develop into a top class coach, having coached our women for the past 4 years he not only deserves the opportunity, but post an external search, we are delighted to advise Fid’s as the successful applicant.

 

After a great first season coaching, Nick De Gorter will again coach our second grade team (Div 1 or 2).

 

The Womens’s program this year will be bolstered up with additional support coaching roles and line coaches for the Prems team’s, so we will provide a further update when names are locked in.

 

Mens Division 1,2,3 and Masters.

Nathan (Boxy) Breen has again stepped back into the hot seat, again playing coach for our Div 1 men. We are yet to confirm an assistant coach for Div 1, so if anyone interested, please contact Glenn Gunstone.  The assistant coach is a critical for this grade, and we are keen to secure a talented individual to assist Boxy in season 2020.

 

Tim (T-Bone) Wolnizer coaching Div 2 for his 3rd season, and really pleased to announce that Adam Nixon will Assistant Coach. (when his playing times don’t conflict).

 

Impressive first year coach Nigel Blow will go again with Div 3, and as previously communicated, Penno legend Peter Carey (PC) will lead the exciting first ever Masters team.

 

Mens 1,2,3 and Masters will train together during pre-season, and Trent Roddan will kick off the pre-season program together with the other coaches, and we will be rotating coaches with each session to keep it fresh and interesting.

 

Head of Player/Coaching Development.

 

We have expanded Trent Roddan’s role with an intense focus on working with the coaching group on player development and review, team and player stats/analytics. Stay tuned to hear more over the coming months.

 

In summary, a great collection of coaches to lead and develop our ever growing playing group.

Bring on 2020!!