The Club is thrilled to announce Tom Rogers and Kirsty Bonner as our State League coaches for the 2024 season.
Rogers, who served as an assistant coach in the 2023 season, steps into the head coach role with renewed vigor and vision. What makes this appointment even more special is Tom's deep history with the Club. He began his volleyball journey as a player for Austral before switching over to South Adelaide, where in 2022, Rogers helped the League Men secure a long awaited Premiership, capping off a great career.
Rogers' transition from player to coach highlights his passion for the sport and his dedication to supporting the Club's young talent. He brings a unique perspective to the coaching staff, having experienced the highs and lows of the game firsthand. His leadership, strategic acumen, and commitment to player development makes him an ideal choice to lead the League Men's team into the 2024 season.
When asked about his return to Austral, Rogers stated:
"I’m really excited about the coming year at Austral. While it’ll still be an adjustment as a coach, I really like all the guys in the Men’s Program and will be coming in with a plethora of fresh ideas."
On the League Women's side, the Austral Volleyball Club welcomes Kirsty Bonner as the head coach for the 2024 season. Bonner, originally from Queensland, has played for the Club the last three seasons and will bring a wealth of experience to the coaching role.
Bonner's volleyball journey is marked by achievements both on and off the court. Having represented Australia at the U21 level, won two National titles with South Australia, and played in the Netherlands in the early 2000s, she will bring a rich and diverse background to the League Women's team. Her intimate knowledge of the Club, and the Women's Program in particular, positions her as an excellent leader for the group.
Commenting on her appointment, Bonner expressed her enthusiasm, saying:
"I’m excited to see how I can support the team, on this side of the court. It will be lovely to work with such a great group of girls."
In a strategic move that highlights the Austral Volleyball Club's commitment to excellence, Josh Lowrie, who served as the League Men's head coach in both 2022 and 2023, is set to take on an assistant role for both League programs in 2024. This transition brings with it a wealth of experience and knowledge that is poised to benefit the coaching staff and contribute to the team's chances of success.
Lowrie's shift to the assistant position is a testament to his dedication to the Club's overall development. By providing valuable insights and support to both Rogers and Bonner, Lowrie will contribute to a more comprehensive and unified coaching approach. His deep understanding of the Club's culture, player dynamics, and game style employed over the past two seasons will prove invaluable.
Rogers and Bonner will also be joined by Mike Chemny and Dom Laventure, who will coach the Reserves Men and Women in 2024. Chemny returns for his fourth season in the role and is coming off a Reserves Premiership in 2023, while Laventure is looking to help the Reserves Women back to the finals.
Austral President Harrison Paay is excited with how the coaching group is shaping up:
“We are delighted to welcome our League coaches to Austral. Supported by Josh, Tom and Kirsty will bring a wealth of volleyball experience that will help strengthen not only our League teams, but the Senior Program as a whole.
“Our new additions will consolidate the great work of Josh, Mike and Dom, and provide our teams with the best opportunity to develop and achieve success in 2024."
The Club is confident that the new look coaching staff will bring a renewed sense of energy, expertise, and success to the Men’s and Women’s Programs in the 2024. The Divisional coaching lineup will be finalised in the coming weeks.
