Sport
23 May, 2025
Hampden announces interleague coaches
HAMPDEN Football Netball League has announced its coaches for next month’s interleague clash against Ballarat.
The upcoming football matches will be held at Eastern Oval on Friday, July 5.
Leading the charge for the under 23 men’s side will be multiple Hampden League premiership coach, Adam Dowie.
Adam brings a wealth of experience to the role and was a key assistant to AFL greater Jonathan Brown during the 2024 season campaign.
A long-time advocate for representative football, Adam is a passionate and respected figure in the Hampden football community.
Ben Parkinson returns as coach of the under 17 boys’ team for a second consecutive year.
With a strong reputation in junior coaching circles, Ben’s ability to develop and mentor young talent has made him an asset to the league’s pathways programs.
Chris Meade will again lead the under 19 women’s side.
Chris has played a crucial role in the growth and success of the female football program in the region and continues to be a driving force in providing high-quality opportunities for young female athletes.
League president Shane Threlfall expressed his enthusiasm about the appointments.
“The league is rapt to have three great football people involved in our representative program,” Threlfall said.
“Adam, Ben and Chris bring not only experience but a deep passion for developing talent and representing our league with pride.”
Threlfall believes interleague football is a fantastic opportunity, not just for players to test themselves against top-tier opposition, but also for coaches to expand their skills and gain experience in a different environment.
“It’s an important part of our league’s commitment to developing football talent at all levels,” he said.
Preparations are now well underway, and the Hampden League looks forward to another strong showing across all age groups in what promises to be a showcase of the region’s best talent.
