2026 Senior Coach Appointments
Killarney Vale AFC is pleased to confirm their senior coaches for the 2026 season.
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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 Bomber
Brad Edwards (Cup Women's)
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.
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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's)
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.
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We wish Courtney all the best in 2026.
