The Hampton Rovers are back on the track as preparations resume for the 2026 season, with pre-season training getting back under on Thursday January 29 ahead of the 2026 Premier C season under new senior coach Paul Carrigan.
Training will run twice a week, with sessions held on Monday and Thursday nights at 6:30pm. Monday training takes place at Peterson Reserve on the upper oval (Highett Rd), while Thursday sessions are at Castlefield Reserve (Ludstone St). Players are asked to arrive early for craft, bring mouthguards and water bottles, and note that footy boots cannot be worn at this stage. Training will return to our home at Boss James Reserve around April.
The club welcomes all new and returning players, with registrations and transfers for the 2026 season opening soon.
The Hampton Rovers pre-season camp will be held at Phillip Island on February 7. Payment can be made here.
While details will be confirmed shortly, practice matches will begin on March 28 with an away game against Crib Point, followed by a night match against Ormond on April 1 and a home night game against St Bede’s/Mentone on April 9.
The 2026 VAFA season officially gets underway on April 18, with the senior football program led by newly appointed coach Paul Carrigan, supported by Michael Brown, Michael Flahive and Christian Carnovale. Nick Jewell leads the Reserves, Nick Jackson the Under 19’s, Wilbur Van Derham the thirds/development coach and senior women’s coach Brent Ward.
The release of the 2026 Premier C fixture has been delayed by the VAFA but is expected to be announced in early February.
