Reigning VAFA Premier champions Uni Blacks appoint Luke O’Connell as coach for 2015 VAFA campaign

VAFA Premier Division champions University Blacks have appointed Luke O’Connell as senior coach for the 2015 VAFA campaign.

VAFA Premier grand final: Collegians v Uni Blacks

UNIVERSITY Blacks president Lucas Van Kempen says the club’s new coach is ready to deal with the expectation that will come with leading the reigning VAFA premiers next year.

The club has turned to one of its former players, Luke O’Connell, to replace Cam Roberts in its hot seat for 2015.

O’Connell, who was an assistant with TAC Cup side Eastern Ranges this year, has previously coached Uni Blacks’ reserves and under-19 teams.

Van Kempen said O’Connell’s history at the club made him a standout candidate for the senior role.

“Luke’s been part of the footy club for a number of years,” Van Kempen said.

“He actually played against the Blacks in the 2005 grand final, he was playing for Banyule.

“The next year, in 2006, he came and played for the Blacks.

“He played right through until 2010 and then in 2011 and 2012 he coached our reserve side, taking them to a flag in 2012.

“It was a mix of his knowledge of the club and his knowledge of amateur football, combined with the fact that he’s gone away and really improved his coaching skills.”

The club’s search for Roberts’ replacement was extensive.

It received applications from coaches with VAFA Premier Division, TAC Cup and AFL experience before settling on O’Connell.

“It was a really interesting process to go through,” Van Kempen said.

“We did attract other coaches with A Grade amateur club experience.

“We had a number of applicants with TAC Cup experience and someone who has coached AFL footy in the past.

“There was also an ex-AFL player.”

Van Kempen said he was unable to say who the former AFL player and coach who applied for the role were.

He said the club expected some of its premiership stars would move on, adding its recruiting team had been working hard to ensure O’Connell would lead a strong squad.

“Lukey won’t step away from any of that responsibility,” he said.

“We’ve got a big job to retain our players now and I understand there will be a few players moving on for other job opportunities, to study abroad and maybe a retirement or two.”

Uni Blacks won its first Premier Division flag in 40 years this year, trumping Collegians by 44 points in the grand final.