The Hampton Rovers Football Club is pleased to lock in coaches for all five of our senior teams for the 2026 season, including three new head coaches.
Nick Jewell steps up from assistant coach to head coach of the Reserves in 2026. Jewelly is a 200+ game player for the club and was Reserves captain until hanging up the boots in 2024. The popular clubman has remained involved off-field also, as a committee member this year and is a great addition to the coaching lineup. The club thanks Paul Golding who has done a great job over the past two seasons but has had to stand down due to work commitments.
The Under 19’s will be coached by Nick Jackson in 2026 following the elevation of Paul Carrigan to senior coach. Jacko is a 100+ game played with the club and has coached at junior level for several years including a successful year with the U16’s this year. He also was assistant coach to Paul for the VAFA U19 representative team the past two years, and is sure to be a popular coach as players transition from junior to senior football at the Rovers.
Brent Ward has been announced as sole Head Coach of Senior Women’s team in 2026. Wardy has done a sensational job with the women’s program since joining the Rovers ahead of the 2022 season, including two Grand Final appearances and one Premiership. With a great playing group and even more young talent coming through from the juniors, its shaping up to be another great season for the Rovers women in ‘26.
After coming on board mid-way through the season, we’re pleased to confirm Wilbur Van Derham is locked in as coach of the Thirds/Development Team for the 2026 season. After an early season call to arms, momentum continued to build throughout the season with some great wins recorded by the Rovers and we look forward to seeing that continue in 2026 under Wilbur.
As previously announced, Paul Carrigan will lead the club in 2026 as Senior Men’s Coach, assisted by Michael Flahive & Christian Carnovale. Caggs has coached the juniors and under 19’s more recently as well as the VAFA U19 representative team the past two years – he’s super passionate about the Rovers and there’s no better individual to lead the club in ’26. He’s wasted no time preparing for the new season and we look forward to renewed energy in Premier C next season.
Michael Brown has joined the football department as Senior Assistant Coach for season 2026. Michael coached De La Salle U19s (2011–12), winning the premiership and awarded the VAFA Junior Coach of the Year in 2012; was Strength & Conditioning at De La Salle (2011–2015); Assistant Coach at De La Salle (2013–2016); and Senior Coach at Mordialloc (2018–19).
Pre-season training details for the men’s and women’s programs can be found here. 2026 player registration information will be available soon.
2026 Hampton Rovers Coaches
Senior Men’s: Paul Carrigan
Senior Women’s: Brent Ward
Reserves: Nick Jewell
Thirds/Dev: Wilbur Van Derham
Under 19’s: Nick Jackson
