Football Department – 2019 Appointments

Coaches
Ash Lever has been re-appointed as Senior coach for 2019, which will be Ash’s fifth season as head coach of the Ormond AFC.  Ash’s commitment to his players and the Club, and his planning and then successful execution to secure the Club’s first senior premiership in 10 years, were significant considerations in the Committee’s decision for his quick re-appointment.

Andrew ‘Joffa’ Kahofer has also been re-appointed as Reserves coach for 2019.  Joffa’s three years in the role has snared two reserves premierships, and the Committee is pleased to provide the opportunity for Joffa to achieve a ‘three-peat’ of reserves premierships.

The U19s will be coached by a panel next season, headed up by Greg Maclaren and assisted by Harrison Burt and Ethan Casey. All three have had long associations with the Ormond Junior FC.

Greg is highly regarded by past players (and their parents) who he has coached or team managed throughout his 16 years with the OJFC, which included U17s Coach from 2015-17.  Greg’s objective is to have the Ormond U19 playing and development program evolve to become the best in the VAFA.

Harrison and Ethan are excited at the prospect of returning to Ormond and having an influential role in building-on the success of this season by assisting Greg to mould the up and coming Monders into tomorrow’s Senior players.

Harrison will combine his coaching duties with his playing commitments at Premier A club, De La Salle, and the Box Hill Hawks.  His mentorship with the 18 and 19 year olds will be invaluable.  Ethan has been cruelled with injury in the past two seasons with the Sandy Dragons.  He will remain active and involved in footy during his recovery from a second knee reconstruction by assisting Greg.

New Roles
Two new roles in the Club’s football department have been created for 2019: Director of Football; and Injury Rehabilitation Assistant.  Both roles are designed to further bolster off-field support and development of the full playing list, as the Club strives to push for finals in Premier C next season.

The Club is especially fortunate to have secured Jason Burt as the Club’s Director of Football.  Jason will bring to the Club a new level of professionalism and experience across all components of the football department: football operations; coach development; and player development.

Jason has 13 year’s experience with the Hawthorn Football Club in various football management and operations roles, and is currently Hawthorn’s General Manager People Culture and Integrity.  He is excited at the prospect of continuing his involvement with Ormond football after his sons progressed through the Ormond juniors during the past 7 – 8 years.

Paul ‘PK’ Kennedy has been appointed into a role to assist our Club physiotherapists from Healthy Bodies Physiotherapy in Cheltenham.  PK will supervise, support and assist injured players on Tuesday and Thursday training nights to rehab correctly to ensure they can get back onto the field in the shortest possible timeframe.  PK is a specialist in neuromuscular injuries and diseases at the Alfred Hospital, so we are indeed fortunate to have PK’s services.