Southern Football League reigning premier Flagstaff Hill appoints Russell Veenvliet as coach
Its coach left just months after winning a flag, and now SA footy’s four-time reigning premiership powerhouse Flagstaff Hill has appointed a replacement who originally applied for and won its B-grade job.
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Two months ago football journeyman Russell Veenvliet was quietly preparing for his new position as B-grade coach at Flagstaff Hill Football Club.
Now, the seasoned campaigner with some 338 senior games to his credit as a player finds himself in charge of the Falcons’ reigning four-time Southern Football League premiership A-grade side.
Veenvliet, who coached Adelaide Footy League club Kenilworth’s reserves side the past two seasons, applied and won the B-grade job at Flaggies for the coming campaign.
But when the club and 2019 premiership coach Darren Vanzetta parted company in December after failing to agree with terms for the coming year, Flagstaff Hill was forced to cast the net for a replacement.
It turns out the answer was right under its nose, with Veenvliet impressing management and the players in the short time he had held the reins.
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The 41-year-old said he was thrilled to be given the chance to lead the Falcons as they aim for five-straight flags this season.
“The club really is exceptionally run,” Veenvliet, of Clarence Gardens, said.
“The players have been fantastic and in particular the senior group have taken a real ownership of their performance and approach to training.
“I know the league well from my early days and just love the way the boys have gone about it since I have been here.’’
Veenvliet had a lengthy playing career at Noarlunga and Christies Beach in the SFL, Kenilworth and Edwardstown in the Adelaide Footy League, and South Adelaide in 2002/03 under Greg Anderson.
He also played association football with the SFL and was a member of the Christies Beach team of the decade between 1996 and 2005.
Falcons president Neil Williams said Veenvliet was the perfect choice for the club.
“He really impressed with the way he interviewed for the B-grade position and then the same for the A grade when he asked if he could interview for that, too,” Williams said.
“The relationship Russell has built with the players in a short time has been great.
“He stepped in and did a good job with building up that trust.
“Now, we can move on and concentrate on playing some footy.’’
Veenvliet, known as Rusty, will be backed by another footy journeyman Dion Hibberd, while the other assistant will be filled from within the Flaggy ranks.
The club will also appoint a B-grade coach to replace Veenvliet soon.