Hawks set to SOAR at new nest

Image courtesy of Cardiff AFC

Cardiff AFC President Damian Charleson is confident that the Hawks will have a very good year on and off the playing field in 2019, with a new coaching structure and the move to the Pasterfield Complex at Cameron Park top of the agenda.

Charleson explained the new coaching structure at the club; “We were looking for a new coaching set-up at the end of last season after the departure from the club of Nathan Harkness. It’s pretty difficult to find good people who have the time and experience to step up into the coaching ranks.

One of our players, Nick Tomlinson, knew Rowan Bilkey from the Inter-League football (note: Bilkey coached the League side in its fixture against a red-hot AFL Canberra team at Manuka Oval in May last year), so we approached Rowan, and, additionally, another old boy , past captain and premiership player in Adam Clarke was looking to get back involved with the club.”

Charleson explained that Bilkey, Tomlinson and Clarke are sharing the duties of coaching this season. “We started talking about making (having three coaches) work, we thought we would try something innovative with three very impressive guys. The three coaches have clicked very well, they’ve all got young families, so they are sharing the coaching role as we head toward the start of the season. Nick will be an on-field and Game Day coach, with Rowan taking a Coaching Director-type role and Adam looking after fitness and leadership. The three guys are really working well together, we are very happy so far.”

Charleson also advised that Paul Cooksley will be coaching the AFLHCC Womens side in 2019.

Cardiff have recruited two Black Diamond Cup players, advised Charleson. “Declan Moroney is coming down from Darwin, as he has picked up a role as a Physiotherapist in town, and Patrick Delaney is moving here from Wagga after securing a job as an electrician in Newcastle.”

Delaney comes from an outstanding sporting family, with his father Peter renowned as a superb footballer and cricketer for Cootamundra and elder brother Michael formerly being part of the SA Redbacks squad as well as being a good footballer in Wagga as well.

Moroney and Delaney make up for the loss of gun forward pocket Lachlan Price, who has moved to Adelaide to try and make it in the SANFL and former league best and fairest Tom Yensch who has returned to his home town of Albury.

All of the Cardiff Hawks are looking forward to making the Pasterfield Complex their home. Charleson explained; “The ground is fantastic. We’ve had a couple of training runs when we have been hit by heavy rainfall, and the drainage is superb. Just running around the ground, you just want to fall over on it, the surface is that good. It’s just a great feeling around the club at present; we are integrating well with Cardiff-Boolaroo Cricket Club and we can’t wait to start playing there.”

With the AFLHCC confirming that Cardiff will host great rival Warners Bay on Anzac Day, Charleson stated that this will be a great day for Cardiff, the Bulldogs and for footy in general; “It will be a huge day for everyone. We will make sure that we respect Anzac Day and the League as well.”

Damian Charleson specifically mentioned the support of key sponsor Rynos Demolition; “he has given us a large amount in a four-year sponsorship to go towards our scoreboard. Vice-President Quinton Davis has done a great job with our sponsorship for this season and beyond. We have also received a $31,000 Government grant to go towards a new scoreboard. We are working with council and the Facility to try and get the best possible scoreboard for the dollars we have.”

Cardiff AFC would like to thank their loyal sponsors:
Jayco Newcastle
Duke of Wellington Hotel
Charlestown Bowling Club
Recruit Now
RAMS Home Loans
Conplant
PSC Insurance Brokers
Jesmond Fruit Barn
Macquarie Physio
KCE Engineering
Cottons Glass
Ironbark Hill Brewery
Beyond Body Limits
Meet you at the Cheese Platter

We thank Damian Charleson for his time and wish the Cardiff footy club all the best for season 2019 and beyond.

Written by David Redden

AFLHCC will be profiling all clubs in the lead up to Round One of the 2019 season, check back for more club updates. 

 

Keep up-to-date with all AFL Hunter Central Coast – Seniors related news by following us on Facebook and Twitter