Connick appointed as Bendigo FNL 2024 Senior Interleague Coach
The Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) would like to announce & congratulate Ash Connick who has been formally appointed as the 2024 BFNL Senior Football Interleague coach.
Following a recruitment process that included multiple candidates of extremely high calibre, Ash was ultimately successfully selected to lead the returning 2024 representative program which will see the BFNL select a senior football squad to play against a VAFA representative team at Elsternwick Park, Brighton, on Saturday July 6th.
Boasting an impressive career coaching history at both senior’s football and interleague level, Connick’s experience will be critical to both development and success in the highly anticipated return to interleague competition for the BFNL.
Connick has coached at senior level since 1999, featuring 15 seasons of coaching experience before entering the 2024 season as Sandhurst FNC Co-Coach for the 6th year running. No stranger to interleague participation, Ash has also previously led two interleague campaigns for the Sunraysia FNL.
Ash’s coaching experience is highlighted by 2 x premierships at senior level, as well as leading Sandhurst seniors to ‘Runners-Up’ in BFNL season 2023, whilst also being a 4-time premiership player throughout his career. During his coaching journey, other personal highlights include being able to oversee the senior football debuts for many players who have gone on to an elite career at AFL level including Ben McGlynn, Daniel Elstone, Sam Kerridge, and more recently AFL Round 3 2024 ‘Rising Star’ Harvey Gallagher who earlier this season debuted for the Western Bulldogs.
Throughout the process, Connick articulated his personal strengths such as ability to bring people together and foster a strong culture, with the ability to bring players from across the league together which is considered a key pillar vital for interleague competition. Interleague programs are renowned for comradery and legacy, and through Connick’s leadership the BFNL will continue to invest in opportunities for players to participate at the highest level possible.
Thrilled to receive the opportunity, Connick was extremely excited at the prospect of challenging players to excel at the highest level possible, saying ‘I am incredibly honoured to receive an opportunity to coach the BFNL interleague team, and eager to get the best players from across the league together to represent the BFNL.
He continued, ‘I am extremely passionate about interleague representative football, and after a 5-year break it is exciting to get back into it’.
During the interview process, Ash successfully displayed his significant experience, clear vision, and a strong passion for interleague football which fully aligned with that of the BFNL.
The BFNL are supremely confident that Ash will implement a positive culture and atmosphere that both attracts players and creates a positive environment for players to develop, grow, and succeed at the highest level possible.
Further announcements regarding Assistant Coaches, Leadership Groups, and football squads will follow in due course.
