SUANFC is proud to announce Tom Morrison as its new NEAFL coach for the 2017 season. Tom will be just the third coach to take the reigns of SUANFC NEAFL after the departure of Daniel Gilmore at the completion of the 2016 season.
Having announced his own transition from the coaching role in early 2016, Gilmore had provided the Club the opportunity to review its focus from 2017 and identified Morrison as a successor prior to the completion of the 2016 season.
During 2016, Morrison took on the role of Specialist Skills Coach, which had him assisting Sydney AFL Premier Division clubs with developing their football program, focusing on high performance. He was then named as the Sydney AFL Representative coach in 2016, a role befitting his eagerness to see Sydney AFL continually improve and evolve.
First coaching in 2011, Morrison worked his way through the ranks starting in WA as Claremont FC’s Colts Assistant Coach. From there he was Claremont Colts Senior Assistant Coach, WA state u/16 Head Development Coach, Claremont FC Head Academy Coach (14s-16s) and later Claremont FC Foxtel Cup League Assistant Coach. Morrison coupled his coaching aspirations as a player in the WAFL, where playing with Claremont he was renowned for his toughness, game sense and will to succeed.
In 2013, Morrison joined Sydney Uni as the Club looked to steer the NEAFL Program to requisite state league standards. Taking on the role of Sydney Uni Premier Division Head Coach, 2013 saw him manage his own senior program, while his role as a Sydney Swans Academy Coach and Sydney Uni NEAFL Senior Development Coach maintained a focus on development.
After his appointment, Morrison spoke of his eagerness to get started in his new role.
“It’s a great privilege to be entrusted with the next phase of growth for the football program, it’s something I take extremely seriously and I am aware of the challenges that lie ahead in a competition that vastly improves from year to year” said Morrison.
“I have strong relationships with the staff and playing group… I trust and respect these people inherently, which I feel is a great strength of our program.”
“We are a unique club because through our strong relationship with the SUSF Elite Athlete Program we are able to assist our athletes with study options and support services at arguably the country’s most prestigious tertiary institution, The University of Sydney.”
“There is no other national second tier Australian Rules Football Club in the country that can offer this point of difference and we have found that this tends to attract a certain type of individual who is a forward thinker and understands the long term value of this opportunity.”
Morrison is a well-respected individual throughout Sydney Uni sporting environment and will draw on his ability to lead and manage young people, as much as teach, in pushing the NEAFL Program at Sydney Uni to new heights in 2017.
SUANFC is delighted to recruit such a prodigious coaching talent from within its own ranks. Morrison understands the deep complexities of SUANFC, its NEAFL program and the local footballing landscape.
These are critical elements that will enable SUANFC NEAFL to continue along its recent path of success. Complimenting these qualities, Morrison is an approachable, well-spoken and development-focussed individual who is sure to galvanise the local footballing community, further enhancing the prominence of the NEAFL competition.
SUANFC General Manager Tristan Liles spoke of his
“Tom is an impressive coach with an eye for detail” said Liles.
“He understands elite football and will work hard to build upon SUANFC’s recent success. Our club is a unique football club and it requires a certain individual to understand its complexities, which we know Tom does.”
“We are confident his coaching ability, football experience, teaching background and management degree will set the club on the path towards its first ever NEAFL flag.”
SUANFC NEAFL preseason will be commencing in late November with all the details to be announced through the club’s website and social media channels.