Thunder Academy coach Jason Roe joins the Gold Coast Suns as part of his AFL ambitions

TERRITORY Thunder’s Academy coach Jason Roe has joined the Gold Coast Suns coaching staff.

Thunder's Academy coach Jason Roe is bound for the Gold Coast Suns. Picture: AFLNT MEDIA

TERRITORY Thunder’s Academy coach Jason Roe has joined the Gold Coast Suns coaching staff.

The former Brisbane Lions, Nightcliff, Thunder and Eastside footballer is taking up a secondment as a development coach with the AFL club for the next two seasons.

Roe will split his time as a development coach at the Suns and head coach of the AFL’s indigenous programs.

Programs manager Chris Johnson, a three-time premiership defender with Brisbane, said the AFL and Gold Coast Suns were working together to increase the number of indigenous coaches in the AFL system.

“We are hoping Jason can become the first indigenous head coach in the AFL,” Johnson said.

“This role will be a shared resource between the indigenous programs and the Suns, with Jason acting as head coach.

“He will lead the development of the national and state coaching indigenous strategy that will provide and deliver contemporary education programs and initiatives.”

Roe said the opportunity to return to the AFL system was too good to pass up.

“It really excites me to be able to work closely with indigenous people throughout Australia and mentor them through their coaching development, as well as being back in the AFL system as a development coach at the Suns,” he added.

“While I will be leaving with some sadness, I know the talent programs are in good hands under new manager Brenton Toy and the talent team.

“I’d like to thank Damian Hale and Andrew Hodges for giving me the opportunity to transition from player to coach many years ago. It is definitely a pathway that I see myself in and I hope to become a successful coach in the years to come.”

Toy said Roe had the potential to coach at the highest level.

“Jason’s started as the NT Thunder Academy coach in September 2018 and has done a terrific job in a sometimes challenging but very rewarding environment,” Toy said.

“While this may be a great loss to our organisation, this is a terrific opportunity for Jason to develop and gain experience in the AFL system and set a pathway for aspiring AFL coaches.

“On behalf of the AFLNT and the talent team I would like to thank Jason for his dedication and commitment to the program and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

Roe will continue to support the Thunder Academy until a replacement is found.