News
2026 Senior Coach Appointments
Killarney Vale AFC is pleased to confirm their senior coaches for the 2026 season.
Ben Roberts (Cup Men's)
Ben has an extensive playing and coaching record across Tasmania, Queensland and NSW. He stepped into a player-coach role at 24, giving him over 16 years of coaching experience which included stints at Coolangatta and Carara in the QAFL which saw him named as QAFL Coach of the Year whilst coaching Carara.
An employment opportunity saw Ben move to Canada for five years during which time he was appointed coach of the Canadian National team which in 2014 won the International Cup Division 1 title.
After returning to Australia Ben moved to Sydney in 2021 to become the Pennant Hills Premier Division coach, where he was honoured to be named Coach of the Year in both 2023 and 2024. During this time, he also took on representative coaching roles as the AFL Sydney Head Rep Coach and Assistant Coach for the combined NSW/ACT State Team, roles he also held in 2025.
"I’m super excited to be joining such a proud club" Roberts said "Everyone I’ve met from Killarney Vale have been fantastic, and with my coaching mentor (Mark McVeigh) being a Killarney Vale junior, it feels like the perfect fit. I couldn’t be happier to lead our resurgence and help establish Killarney Vale" as a dominant force in the Black Diamond competition for years to come." he added.
Ben takes over the Cup Coaching role from Club Life Member and 2022 Premiership Coach, Corey Shackleton who led the Cup Men's side for the past seven years.
The club welcomes Ben and his wife Lorin and two children Isla and Koa to the Bombers.
Brad Edwards (Cup Women)
The club is pleased to announce that Brad Edwards has agreed to coach the Cup Women's side for a third straight season in 2026.
Brad has established an outstanding record since taking over the Women's Cup Coaching role taking the side to their first premiership in 2024 before making it back-to-back titles this year winning the Premiership from third position.
Brad's attention to detail and his develop a game plan for all situations and getting the best out of his players is second to none.
We congratulate Brad on his reappointment and look forward to watching his side try for a three peat in 2026.
Brendan Lewis (Plate Men's)
The Bombers are extremely proud to announce the appointment of club legend, Brendan Lewis as Plate Men's Coach for 2026.
Brendan is a Life Member of the club and this year played his 200th senior game for the club and he will put his experience into guiding the Plate side back to the finals.
Brendan, who will continue in a playing capacity as well, has a great knowledge of the game and has some excellent views on the way in which his side should prepare and play in 2026.
Being a teacher by profession this will hold Brendan in good stead as he imparts his knowledge onto the Plate side.
We welcome Brendan to the role and wish him all the best.
Brendan takes over the role from Jimmy Newburn who stood down from the role at the end of the season.
Courtney Barnett (Plate Women)
The club is pleased to announce the reappointment of Courtney Barnett as Plate Women's Coach for 2026.
Courtney has taken leaps and bounds since taking on the role in 2024 and in both seasons at the helm the club has made it to the finals.
Courtney is confident that her side can build on these experiences and push for a Grand Final berth in 2026.
We wish Courtney all the best in 2026.
Senior Presentation Night - 24 October 2025
Join us on Friday 24 October for the KVB Senior Presentation Night @ Mingara!
6.30pm arrival for a 7pm start
Dress code: formal
Tickets are $80 per person
Tickets on sale until 10 October
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
Bombers Back-to-Back Women's Premiers
Killarney Vale are back-to-back AFL Hunter Central Coast premiers after an extra-time thriller against Newcastle City at Newcastle No 1 Sportsground on Saturday.
After scores were locked at 3.3.21 apiece at the end of normal time, goals to Gracie Durick and Taya White saw the Bombers claim the premiership 5.3.33 to 3.3.21.
In warm conditions, in front a vocal Bombers contingent who made the trip to Newcastle, Brad Edwards' team, like they did against Cardiff in the Preliminary Final, got off to a fast start with star midfielder, Brooke Turner kicking a long range goal within the first five minutes of the game. Durick followed this up with a goal from a strong mark to give the Bombers a 12 point lead at the first change. Strong defensive work from Brooke Hoolihan, Holly Gibbons and Audrey Gillingham kept the highly fancied Blues scoreless in the first quarter.
Like all good so do however, Newcastle City hit back strongly in the second quarter keeping the Bombers goalless whilst kicking three goals of their own to go into the main break with a six point lead.
The third quarter was an arm wrestle as both sides tried to gain the ascendancy and once again Newcastle City were kept scoreless for the term whilst brilliant mark and goal from the leagues leading goalkicker, Mia Wilson saw the Bombers take a one point lead into the final quarter.
The final quarter was a thrilling affair with both teams giving their all. The Bombers looked to have the ascendancy early but were unable to get the all important goal but then there defence had to come to the fore as Newcastle City through everything at them as the final siren approach and they stood up superb repelling many goal scoring and even point scoring opportunities. The siren sounded with the scores level and the match entered extra time (5 minutes each way).
Kristen Kessler who had been strong all game was dominant in extra time acting like a conductor of an orchestra and her play through the midfield saw the Bombers open up the City defence and when a Wilson kick cleared the pack and Durick ran into an open goal the Bombers were six points in front at the end of the first period of extra time.
Newcastle City needed a goal to get back into the contest however an excellent mark from White gave her the opportunity to seal the Premiership win for the Bombers and she calmy went back and kicked the goal much to the delight of the Bombers faithful.
After years of heartache the Bombers have now made it back-to-back Women's Cup premierships and Brad and his team should be well pleased with their efforts over the course of the season.
Kessler back up her league Best & Fairest win during the week by being named Best on Ground.
Killarney Vale 2.0.12; 2.1.13; 3.2.20; 3.3.21 5.3.33
Newcastle City 0.0.0; 3.1.19; 3.1.19; 3.3.21; 3.3.21
Goals: Grace Durick 2, Brooke Turner, Mia Wilson, Taya White
Best: Kristen Kessler (Best on Ground), Holly Gibbons, Brooke Hoolihan, Jaida Tabb, Audrey Gillingham, Taya White
You can watch a full replay of the game by clicking here
The highlights can also be found here
All Grand Final Results
Cup Men: Terrigal Avoca 11.13.79 def Newcastle City 8.3.51
Cup Womens: Killarney Vale 5.3.33 def Newcastle City 3.3.21
Plate Men: Newcastle City 11.10.76 def Wyong Lakes 8.5.53
Plate Women: Newcastle City 3.5.23 def Nelson Bay 2.3.15
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U15 Youth Girls Gallant in Defeat
Killarney Vale put up a brave showing however were unable to match Warners Bay in the AFL Hunter Central Coast U15 Youth Girls Grand Final played a Feighan Park last Sunday.
Entering the decider on the back of an undefeated season the Bombers were gallant in defeat with the scoreline reading 6.6.42 to 1.10.16.
Despite the loss, coaches Jason Fretwell and Evie Gordine and the girls should be extremely proud of the season that they had.
Kessler & Castelnuovo Claim League B & F Awards
Kristen Kessler and Jake Castelnuovo were rewarded for fantastic seasons by claiming the Best & Fairest Medals in the Women's Cup and Men's Plate competitions respectively at AFL Hunter Central Coast Elliott Davey Medal night held last night at Belmont 16 Footers.
Kessler made it three consecutive Chris Arnold Medals for the Bombers after Eliza Hand won the award in 2023 & 2024. In a close count Kessler was able to pull away in the second half of the year to win by three votes from teammate Brooke Turner.
Castelnuovo on the other hand made the Ian Granland Medal count a one-horse race after polling five best on ground in the first eight rounds, saw him clear out from the field before winning with 28 votes, a record in this competition, 14 votes ahead of his nearest rivals.
In the Elliott Davey Medal (Men's Cup competition), Jye Boby finished runner up to Terrigal Avoca midfielder, Jack Grimmond-Lea.
It was a big night for the Bombers with plenty of awards going there way. Here is the complete list:
Chris Arnold Medal Winner: Kristen Kessler
Ian Granland Medal Winner: Jake Castelnuovo
Elliott Davey Medal R/Up: Jye Boby
Men's Representative Player of the Year: Ryan Arthur
Women's Cup Leading Goalkicker: Mia Wilson (63 goals)
Volunteer of the Year Nominee: Ryan Mahalm
Men's Cup Team of the Year: Ryan Arthur, Jye, Boby, Brandon Lloyd, Josh Mifsud
Women's Cup Team of the Year: Kristen Kessler, Mia Wilson, Taya White, Beth Wood, Brooke Turner, Holly Gibbons
Men's Plate Team of the Year: Jake Castelnuovo, Brendan Lewis
Women's Cup Team of the Year: Holly Bryson
You can view all of last night awards including the speeches by clicking here
U17's Presentation Night
As our season has come to an end for 2025, our Joint Venture U17 Boys and Girls has their presentation night last Friday.
It was a fabulous night with over 100 families across 3 clubs, coming together at The Hangar to celebrate the season.
The night would not have been possible without the amazing support from our Senior Men and Board Members who kindly gave up their night to cook for us. What a spread of food it was!! Thank you boys!
Congratulations, to all our award winners!
Bombers Need Your Vote
VOTE NOW!
We’re one of three entrants in this month’s Greater Bank Community Funding Program.
Organisations like ours rely on the community to help us keep doing our best.
Vote for us today at www.greater.com.au/greatercentralcoast
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We appreciate your support!
Bombers Juniors Excel at AFL HCC Award Nights
It was a big night for the Bombers juniors at the annual AFL Hunter Central Coast Juniors Awards night held last night.
The highlight of the night for the Bombers was Ben Howen being crowned Central Coast Auskick Coordinator of the year. In his second season in the role Ben has been outstanding and the time, effort and passion he puts into the Auskick program is over and beyond. It shows each training session and each game just how much the kids, and parents love it.
Congratulations, Ben. Our Auskickers are lucky to have you.
Other highlights included Georgina Trampnau being awarded the Golden Whistle which is a fantastic achievement given it was her first season of umpiring. Holly Bryson received an award for her volunteering which is unbound and includes coaching our Junior U17 Girls, U13 AFLHCC Representative team, a member of the AFLHCC Reps working group committee, KV committee member, Umpiring and everything in between. All this while playing and Umpiring Seniors.
Lily Davidson capped off a great season by finishing R/Up in the U15's Best & Fairest whilst also being named the U15's Youth Girls Rep Player of the Year.
Team Achievement awards were presented to Colby Cortis, Chace Weddell and Sullivan Kelly in the U9's, Lennox Majchrowski and Daniel Albert in the U11 Boys, Lila Knowles and Hallie Diaz in the U11 Youth Girls.
Richard Noone, Georgina Trampnau, Kate Davidson, Lily Davidson, Scarlett Booth, Faith Booth, Holly Bryson and Evie Gordine received Umpire Recognition Awards.
Overall, a great night for the Bombers
Well Done Shack
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A huge congratulations to Corey Shackleton on completing his Advanced Coaching Accreditation.
This accreditation is the highest available for Community Coaches with a strict entry criteria. Only 10 position were available for AFL NSW/ACT coaches and our very own Shack was one of those!
Killarney Vale Recognised as Women's & Girls Chartered Club
Killarney Vale AFC have been officially recognised by the AFL as a Women's & Girls Chartered Club.
Killarney Vale have an excellent female program and is committed to continuing to create a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for all.
