VAFA: University Blues searching for new coach as Heath Jamieson exits
University Blues president Tim Rourke gives an update on the VAFA Premier club’s search for a new coach and its playing list after the departure of its 2019 premiership mentor.
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University Blues will have a new man in charge for its premiership defence in 2021 after the departure of Heath Jamieson.
The experienced Jamieson steered the Blues to their first Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier flag in 15 years in 2019.
Jamieson signed a two-year deal with Uni Blues but only had the chance to complete one season at the helm, leading the top-flight outfit to a commanding 40-point victory over St Kevin’s in the decider.
The highly-rated mentor steered St Joseph’s to three flags in four years and Queenscliff to a premiership before arriving at the Blues.
Jamieson has left for family reasons and will move to live in Queensland.
“He’s a terrific guy, too, and not just a good coach. Just terrific to have around the club,” Uni Blues president Tim Rourke said.
“He’ll stay very close to the club regardless of where he is. He doesn’t really have any aspirations to do anything else.
“He was really torn about leaving. He’s made a lot of good friends here, including myself, and he’s fitted in terrifically.
“An incredibly skilful coach, and I genuinely think AFL clubs would be looking at him … under normal circumstances he could walk into an assistant coaching role at those clubs.
“Our club’s probably as well connected as any with the AFL, and it was certainly discussed at times, but he’s got a job up there (in Queensland) and he’s moving up there, so it’s a real shame for us.”
Rourke said the Blues were “very well advanced” in their search for the next coach.
He said they intended to lock in Jamieson’s successor this month.
“We want a particular guy, and hopefully we can get him,” he said.
“Very similar to Heath … with respect to other clubs, they can be very starry-eyed with an ex-AFL player. I think there have already been a few mistakes made in our favour at the amateur level with people being appointed as coaches.
“We’ve got a guy in mind, and hopefully we can secure him.”
In an ominous sign for opposition sides, Rourke said Uni Blues would boast a “stronger list” in 2021.
The club’s premiership team featured nine ex-AFL players – Josh Green, Cameron O’Shea, Ayce Cordy, Luke Russell, Ross Young, Tom Young, Kieran Harper, Jeremy Taylor and Piers Flanagan.
Green has since departed, but it has gained former AFL pair Jay Kennedy-Harris and Sam Grimley.
Flanagan, Jeremy Taylor and Connor Lappin were set to be absent this season but will return next year.
“They weren’t going to play this year but they’ll be playing next year,” Rourke said.
“Fortuitously for us, ‘Jezz’ had a placement in Geelong as a doctor, Piers and ‘Lappo’ were in Sydney for a year, so at this stage it looks like we’ll have everyone back.”
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