Passionate Coaches. Proud Teams.

Behind every successful season at Kilmore Junior Football Club are the dedicated coaches and volunteers who give their time, energy, and passion to develop our young players.

From Auskick coordinators introducing the game to four-year-olds, to experienced coaches guiding our Under 18s toward their football futures, our coaching team is committed to fostering skill development, teamwork, and a genuine love of the game.

A man with a beard wearing a black and blue sports jacket, standing in front of a plain wall, with text overlay indicating he is the coach for Kilmore JFC U10 Boys, Ben Newham, with logos of KJFC and NFNL, and a message saying "Congratulations".
  • U10 Boys Coach

    Ben is genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity to coach the Under-10 boys, eager to build upon the strong foundation laid by the previous coaches.

    He is committed to creating a season that is both highly enjoyable and development-focused, where every player has the chance to grow in confidence, skill, fitness, and discipline.

    Ben believes in fostering a positive and supportive environment that reflects the club’s spirit of teamwork and respect. His aim is to help each player deepen their understanding and appreciation of the game while developing not only as footballers, but as teammates.

    With energy and dedication, he looks forward to an exciting and rewarding year of football ahead.

    Training time - Friday nights from 5pm

A young male soccer player in a blue and black jersey standing in front of a white wall with logos, with text overlay reading 'Kilmore JFC U9 Black Coach Lucas Chesswas' and 'Congratulations' at the bottom.
  • U9 Black Coach

    Lucas is a current U17.5 KJFC player. He has competed in interleague football, serving as Vice Captain of the U14A side before captaining the U15A team the following year, consistently demonstrating leadership and professionalism.

    Lucas also developed through the Northern Knights U16 Talent League program and was part of the Calder Cannons U18 pre-season squad, gaining valuable exposure to elite training standards and high-performance environments.

    Having lived the pathway many young players aspire to, Lucas provides genuine insight and credibility. He brings strong technical and tactical knowledge of the modern game, communicates clearly, and creates an environment where players feel supported, challenged, and valued. His high standards and professionalism help drive development across the entire group.

    Lucas’ involvement strengthens the club’s commitment to quality coaching, clear development pathways, and beginning to shape the future of these players football journey.

    Training time - Friday nights from 5pm

A man with a beard smiling for a photo, wearing a blue sports shirt with a logo. The background features text about Kilmore JFC U12 Girls Coach Michael Jowett, along with logos of KJF and NFNL, and the word 'Congratulations' written at the bottom.
  • U12 Girls Coach

    Michael is excited to be coaching this U12 girls’ group. As a proud dad of three daughters, he is deeply passionate about girls’ football and values being part of a club that truly supports the growth and development of the girls’ game.

    Having previously co-coached U10 girls, Michael brings experience, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to helping players build confidence, develop their understanding of the game, and appreciate the importance of effort and teamwork.

    Above all, he strives to create a positive, supportive, and fun environment where every player can enjoy learning and growing.

A man wearing a navy blue and light blue sports shirt with logos, standing with arms crossed, with text overlay indicating he is Louie Vaseleski, the U11 boys coach for Kilmore JFC.
  • U11 Boys Coach

    Louie is proud to take on his first coaching role with the Kilmore Junior Football Club in 2026. Having followed the development of many of these boys since 2022, he feels incredibly fortunate to now be guiding them on the next stage of their football journey.

    Louie is excited to see the continued growth, improvement, and teamwork this group will bring to the season and is looking forward to a big year ahead.

Young woman with blonde hair smiling, wearing a black Nike shirt, celebrating her role as U14 girls coach, Ella Pipe, with logos of Kilmore JFC, KJF, and NFNL and the word "Congratulations" overlaid.
  • U14 Girls Coach

    Ella is thrilled to step into this role, coaching the U14 Girls in 2026. With several years of playing experience — including time at Wallan and two years with SEDA Victoria — Ella has built a strong understanding of the game and what young players need to develop and thrive.

    Ella’s coaching focus is on creating a confident, connected team that genuinely enjoys playing football. She is committed to helping each player grow their skills, deepen their game awareness, and experience the value of teamwork in a positive, supportive environment.

    She is excited for the season ahead and looks forward to guiding the team as the girls improve, grow, and enjoy their football journey.

A man wearing a blue and black jacket with the Kilmore JFC logo, with logos of KJF and NFNL, and text indicating he is the U18 Girls Coach, Andrew Pike, with a congratulatory message.
  • U18 Girls Coach

    For those who don’t already know Andrew, he’s a familiar face around the club and within the Kilmore community. Having grown up in Kilmore and played his junior football with KJFC, Andrew has a long standing connection with the club.

    Over the past three years, he has been heavily involved in coaching within the girls' program, helping to guide and develop young players both on and off the field. Outside of football, Andrew runs his own successful drilling company and has 4 children, 3 of them will be

    playing for KJFC in 2026.

    Continuing to work closely with the Calder Cannons and assisting with the KJFC academy, Andrew has a keen eye for talent and a strong focus on player development. He is passionate about helping players grow

    their confidence, skills and love for football.

    As he steps into the Under 18 Girls role, Andrew is eager to continue building towards success. He is looking forward to meeting new players, welcoming returning ones, and kicking off pre- season training. His goal for 2026 is further develop the girls skills, teamwork and understanding of the game. Ensuring they have fun and enjoy every moment along the way!

A man wearing a Kilmor JFC U16 Boys Coach shirt and cap, standing with arms crossed in front of a plain wall with KJF and NFNL logos, with text overlay saying 'kilmor JFC U16 Boys Coach Leigh Irons' and 'Congratulations'.
  • U16 Boys Coach

    Leigh is a highly experienced footballer with over 20 years in the game and more than 300 senior matches to his name. Throughout his career, he has earned six Senior Best and Fairest awards — including an impressive three in a row (2017, 2018, 2019). His consistent excellence has also seen him named in the Team of the Year on seven occasions across three different leagues.

    A natural leader both on and off the field, Leigh has captained senior sides at both Kilmore and Wallan. In 2024, he took on the role of playing coach for the Kilmore Reserves, guiding the team to a historic premiership — the club’s first in 23 years. He now continues to give back to the club as President of the Kilmore Senior Football Club.

    Leigh’s wealth of knowledge and experience will be invaluable for our Under 16 group this year, helping them develop not only as footballers but also as young men.

A group of young male athletes wearing blue sports uniforms, some kneeling and some standing, posing for a team photo on a sports field at night, with a stadium structure and trees in the background.

Go the Blues

A man in a blue and black sports polo shirt with logos, smiling at the camera, with text and logos indicating he is Jamie Chalmers, U9 Boys Coach for Kilmore JFC, with a 'Congratulations' message.
  • U9 Boys Coach

    Jamie is looking forward to coaching the Under 9s again this season.

    After a rewarding year helping players develop new skills, build confidence, and most importantly enjoy their footy, he’s excited to build on that momentum.

    With a mix of returning players and new faces joining the squad, Jamie is eager to continue fostering growth, teamwork, and a love for the game. He’s looking ahead to another fantastic season with the team.

    Training time - Friday nights from 5pm

Two young male tennis players wearing blue and black team shirts with logos, standing against a white wall, with one having slightly tousled brown hair and the other with curly brown hair.
  • U9 White Coaches

    Mason and Max are two of our current U17.5 KJFC players. Both young leaders who bring genuine pathway experience, strong football knowledge, and the professionalism needed to support our players as they grow on and off the field.

    Mason brings strong experience to the role, having played interleague football at U15 level and completing a pre-season with the Calder Cannons Under 16s squad.

    Growing up playing football himself from Under 9s at Kilmore, Mason has experienced the full junior pathway and understands the development journey young players go through. He is passionate about giving back to the next generation by sharing his knowledge, skills, and love for the game in a positive and supportive environment.

    Max is passionate about football and is excited to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of players.

    Having played U14s&U15s interleague football, U12s for Victoria and represented the Calder Cannons Under 16s in 2025, Max brings valuable experience and a strong understanding of the game. He is committed to helping the team develop their skills, learn the importance of teamwork, and most importantly, enjoy their footy in a positive and supportive environment.

    Training time - Friday nights from 5pm

A man smiling in a blue Kilmore JFC coach shirt with text and logos on it, standing in front of a gray curtain background. Text on the image indicates he is Matthew Chesswas, the U13 Boys Coach, with congratulatory message.
  • U13 Boys Coach

    Matt brings a wealth of experience in junior development, club leadership, and building strong team cultures. His work across Kilmore Junior Football Club from program design to player pathways and community engagement has helped shape the standards our club is proud of today.

    The U13 age group is a crucial stage in a young footballer’s journey, where confidence, skills, and game understanding really begin to take off. Matt’s coaching approach is built around, developing fundamental skills and football IQ, creating a positive, inclusive, and respectful team environment, building confidence and resilience in every player, Clear communication and strong team standard and focusing on effort, improvement, and enjoyment of the game

    Matt’s leadership style is grounded in fairness, accountability, and genuine care for young people, values that align perfectly with what we want for our U13s.

    We’re excited to see this group grow under his guidance and can’t wait for the season ahead.

A man with a beard and short hair smiling in front of a gray abstract background, with the logos of KJFL and NFL. Text overlay celebrates him as the U10 Girls Coach for Kilmore-JFC, named Antony Knight.
  • U10 Girls Coach

    Antony (Antz) is excited to begin his first coaching role with the Kilmore Junior Football Club. A passionate sports lover with a special place in his heart for AFL, Antz is also a proud dad of two football-loving daughters.

    His eldest currently plays in Kilmore’s Under 12s, and this season is an extra special one as his daughter Charlee pulls on the boots for her first year of footy with the Under 10s.

    Antz is looking forward to helping the girls build their skills, confidence, and love for the game. His coaching approach is positive, fair, and encouraging, with a strong focus on teamwork, effort, and—most importantly—having fun.

A man in a black and blue sports shirt stands in front of a decorated Christmas tree with a star topper. The image has text indicating Kilmore JFC, U12 Boys Coach Tim Atkins, and includes sports logos from KF and NFNL. The word  "Congratulations" is written at the bottom.
  • U12 Boys Coach

    Tim is super excited to be coaching the Under 12 boys for his second year. Having spent previous seasons as an assistant coach, Tim has built strong connections with the boys, and is looking forward to watching them grow, improve, and come together even more as a team.

    Here’s to a great year of footy and mate-ship.

A young man in a black and blue coaching uniform standing against a wall with logos, smiling. Overlaid text reads 'Kilmore JFC U14 Boys Coach William Bowshall-Tanner Congratulations'.
  • U14 Boys Coach

    William is a dedicated and talented footballer, who currently plays for KFNC. A proven performer, he is a back to back premiership player. With KJFC U17.5s in 2024 and KFNC U19.5s in 2025.

    William has also represented Assumption in their First XVIII, showcasing his skills at senior school level, all while continuing to grow and gain experience of the game.

    Beyond his playing achievements, William has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to the development of young players, serving as an assistant coach to the U13s boys back in 2024. His passion for the game and team first attitude makes him a valued member of every side he represents.

    William is excited to take on this role, provide guidance and instil the core values of mate ship, all key traits the group will need in their following years of junior footy.

A bearded man wearing a baseball cap and a Ringers Outback shirt, smiling with arms crossed. The background displays a logo for Kilmore JFC, an NFNL logo, and a blue banner with text indicating his role as U15 Boys Coach Mark McManus, with a congratulatory message.
  • U15 Boys Coach

    Mark brings extensive experience across two football codes, with a long and successful rugby league career that included NRL pathway development programs, representing Queensland, and playing in the UK.

    He has coached at both junior and senior levels in Rugby League and AFL, with a strong focus on developing young athletes — including his four sons, who are all proud Kilmore Blues junior and senior footballers.

    Mark’s coaching style is hard, fair, and honest. His 2026 focus goes beyond improving skills and football IQ — it’s about building a strong team culture where resilience, accountability, and character are valued just as highly as talent.

    Passionate about player growth on and off the field, Mark is dedicated to helping shape confident young men who back themselves, support their teammates, and take pride in their collective effort.

2026 Kilmore JFC U17.5 Coaching Team poster featuring head coach Glen Lehner and assistant coaches Steve McCarthy and William O'Dwyer Richards, with team logos and photos of the coaches.
  • U17.5 Coaching Team

    Glen is an experienced and dedicated coach with a passion for player development and progression. In 2025, he coached the KJFC Under 16 Blue team, bringing energy, structure, and a deeper understanding of the game. With a coaching background that spans nearly every age group—from Auskick to representative level—Glen is committed to nurturing young talent and helping players reach their full potential. Glen thrives on seeing athletes grow in skill, confidence, and game awareness

    Steve is a knowledgeable and accredited Level 2 coach with extensive experience across school and representative football. He held coaching roles at Assumption College, Loyola College, and other representative levels, bringing a well-rounded and strategic approach to player development. In 2024, Steve coached this group as Under 15s, and returns with a strong focus on both individual growth and team improvement. His commitment to development, both on and off the field, continues to make a lasting impact at every level he coaches.

    William returns as an assistant coach after a standout 2024 season, where he coached the U17.5s to a premiership. A product of the Kilmore junior program, Will has built an impressive playing résumé, currently competing at senior level with Greensborough. His playing career includes representative level, time at Calder Cannons, selection in the AGSV Representative side, a key role in Assumption College’s First XVIII. Will is excited to support this group through their final year of junior football, while preparing them for the demands and opportunities at senior level.

Kilmore junior footbal club players and coaches posing for a team photo indoors. They are wearing matching blue sports uniforms with 'KILMORE ACADEMY' on the front.

THANK YOU TO OUR COACHES

To every coach, assistant coach, team manager, and volunteer who gives their time week after week — thank you. Your dedication, patience, and passion shape the future of junior football in Kilmore. You don't just teach footy skills — you build character, create memories, and change lives. The Two Blues family is grateful for everything you do.

Kilmore junior football team standing in a row on a grassy field, arms around each other's shoulders, preparing for a game under a blue sky with sunlight casting long shadows.

Interested in Coaching?

We're always looking for passionate volunteers to join our coaching team. Whether you're an experienced coach or new to the role, we provide support, training, and resources to help you succeed.