01/02/2024
The Sandringham Zebras are pleased to announce our Coaching Group ahead of the 2024 Season.
Daniel Coffield and Andy Farrall return to the lineup, supported by Damian Carroll, and are joined by Lachlan Harris and Lenny Hayes - all of whom share the goal of achieving success with our proud club.
Tom Laumets and CJ Bezzant will also continue with the Zebras as our High Performance Manager and Head of Football Analytics respectively.
Daniel Coffield
A well-known face around Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Dan Coffield returns as an Assistant Coach in 2024 following success in the role last year. A former Zebra himself, Coffield also played 62 games with Richmond’s VFL side - including a premiership in 2019. A natural leader, he was an integral member of their leadership group.
Coffield has a great working relationship with his former teammate, our Head Coach Jake Batchelor, and as a former Zebras Captain, his leadership credentials and depth of knowledge speak for themselves.
In tandem with the coaching group, he will continue to build upon his learnings from last year and pave the way for success in 2024.
Andy Farrall
Farrall is another familiar face around Sandringham who continues to add strings to his bow.
A former VFL Assistant Coach at the Box Hill Hawks under Max Bailey, Farrall joined the Zebras in 2021 and has given his all to the Club ever since. Working with the Southern Saints as a Development Coach in 2022 and 2023, Farrall continued in this role whilst assuming a position as our Backline Coach.
In 2024, Farrall will assume an Assistant role across both the VFL and VFLW - a credit to his hard work and expertise which saw him take out the Eric Mackenzie Memorial Trophy for Best Club Person in 2023.
Lachlan Harris
Coming to us from St Kilda’s AFLW coaching group, Lachlan Harris brings a plethora of experience across varying leagues. Having worked in women’s football for 13 years, he has worked in WA and Queensland - with his expertise lying in development - as well as aiding Collingwood’s VFLW side to victory in 2019. Harris has been with St Kilda since 2019, working as the AFLW Assistant Coach (Midfield) and Football Strategy Lead in 2023, and we can’t wait to see how his knowledge develops our own game.
Lenny Hayes
Beloved Saint Lenny Hayes will assume a role as a development coach, further strengthening our connection with St Kilda. Re-joining the Saints in 2022 following five years as an Assistant Coach at GWS, Hayes has chosen to step away from senior assistant coaching to spend more time with his family.
We are delighted to have him on board, and can’t wait to see how he too lends to our players’ development.
"Something I’m really enthusiastic about is trying to help the players to maximise their growth, both as individuals and as a group,” Hayes said upon his move to St Kilda, and we can’t wait to see how this mindset shapes our season.
Damian Carroll
The Coaching Group will be supported by Damian Carroll, Head of Development and Learning at St Kilda. Carroll boasts a plethora of experience and is another figure who has always ensured our group is able to reach their potential. A former Head Coach of Hawthorn’s Development Academy - as well as an Assistant Coach with the Club - Carroll will work with our group to aid player growth.
Tom Laumets
A former Zebra himself, Tom Laumets will play a key role once again in 2024 as our High Performance Manager. Working with the Zebs in tandem with St Kilda, Laumets strengthens our connection with the AFL side whilst honing his craft and optimising our team's performance.
CJ Bezzant
CJ is another valued member of the Club who will continue on in 2024 as our Head of Football Analytics. Beginning her journey as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for our VFLW side, the experienced Performance Analyst has allowed our VFL side to maximise their improvement through her detailed findings.
Written by Chloe Williams - Sandringham Football Club Media