News

Hayden Skipworth appointed Bendigo coach

Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon Football Club and Bendigo Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Hayden Skipworth as Bendigo senior coach for 2012.

Skipworth, who played 44 games for Adelaide and 11 games for Essendon, has held a development role at Essendon since his retirement in 2009.

The 28-year-old said he was looking forward to the opportunity of coaching his own side.

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to coach the club’s VFL affiliate and to further develop my coaching career,” Skipworth said.

“Initially, it wasn’t something that I set out to achieve this season but the opportunity arose and I am thrilled to be able to lead Bendigo next year.”

Skipworth replaces Shannon Grant, who after two years as Bendigo coach has taken a position at the Western Bulldogs as an assistant coach.

Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said Skipworth was a perfect fit for the role.

“Hayden understands the culture of both clubs and will benefit from his experience developing younger players over the past few years,” Hamilton said.

“As a best and fairest winner for Bendigo and a player for the Essendon Football Club, we are thrilled he has decided to take on the role.”

Bendigo Football Club chairman David Joss said the appointment was a great result for the club.

“We are very excited to have Hayden on board,” Joss said.

“He understands the relationship between Essendon and Bendigo very well and we don’t think we could have asked for a better choice.

“We think from a leadership perspective, Hayden will be fantastic and with his experience as a development coach at Essendon we believe he’ll have no problems adapting to the challenges of coaching his own side.”

The long-standing VFL alignment between Essendon Football Club and Bendigo will conclude at the end of the 2012 season, with both clubs set to field stand alone sides from 2013 onwards.

Hamilton said Essendon's alignment with Bendigo had been a very successful and important partnership for the club.

“We have established strong links with Bendigo and enjoyed a great relationship with the Bendigo community over many years,” Hamilton said.

“The alignment has played a critical role in the development of our younger players and we have always had great support from Bendigo.”

Joss said the changes would not impede preparations for the upcoming 2012 season.

“It is certainly going to be a unique year and very much a transition year with Essendon and Bendigo going their own ways at the end of the 2012 season,” Joss said.

“But we all remain committed to honouring our partnership next year and making sure we get the best outcome for the players and for both clubs.”

Click here to purchase your case of the limited edition Dyson Heppell commemorative wine.

Your comments

Add your own comment now!

Username:
Password:
I've forgotten my details, please email them to me.

Your comment (must be 100 words or less):

This is great news. I know that Skip was very highly regarded as a great role model and mentor in his senior days at Essendon. Congratulations Skip, and we look forward to seeing you mould a really good solid side.

- Graeme Blore (posted 26/10/2011 4:51:56 PM)

Congratulations Hayden. A good choice. We are aware of your work already to assist younger players (ie: Pears. Good luck.

- Wesley Hull (posted 26/10/2011 4:52:18 PM)

Well done Hayden, if ever a player deserves it then it's you. I'm sure the youngsters will benefit from your coaching and your physical approach to the game.

- Rod Hooker (posted 26/10/2011 5:00:44 PM)

Massive, massive positive. Always liked Skipworth. Liked him as a Crow, sad he left early as a Bomber. Going to be a great coach. He's a fantastic mentor. FANTASTIC with youngsters. Not a head-wobbler.

- Luke Androulakis (posted 26/10/2011 5:41:37 PM)

Great choice, Hayden has been a loyal servant and teacher/mentor for the young players coming to the Club. Good luck Hayden, you've earned and will get overwhelming support.

- Graham Flynn (posted 26/10/2011 6:03:38 PM)

Good luck Skippy. A well deserved appointment. I'm sure you will do well.

- Andrew Couch (posted 26/10/2011 6:03:49 PM)

A very good choice, but I'd chase after Nick Carter as a possible Senior Assistant to Skipworth. Nick played 25 AFL games for Brisbane Bears, Brisbane Lions and Melbourne between 1996 to 1999. He played a Bendigo Bombers record of 126 games from 2000 to 2007. He then played for Golden Square Bulldogs from 2008 to 2009 winning a Premiership in 2009 and coached the Golden Square football club from 2010 to 2011 with 2 flags under his name. He coached 40 games with only one loss to his name. I think Essendon and Bendigo should use Nick Carter as a possibel Senior Assistant to Skippy!

- al Catraz (posted 26/10/2011 6:12:35 PM)

Congratulations hayden on the appointment and all the best with bendigo..

- rocco scamozzi (posted 26/10/2011 6:30:51 PM)

Your a good man Haydoss.Good fit for the job this bloke.Well liked by all at the club and well respected by all our players.Congratulations Hayden.

- Mark Elze (posted 26/10/2011 6:50:21 PM)

Congratulations Hayden on being appointed coach for Bendigo/Essendon for season 2012. I wish you all the best, I will be there to support both you and the team in 2012.

- Joan Hartley (posted 26/10/2011 9:22:38 PM)

in 2013 he saying at bendigo or essendon ?

- jon grima (posted 26/10/2011 10:28:41 PM)

does anyone know what the salery of a vfl coach is. ?

- Brett Martin (posted 26/10/2011 11:12:56 PM)

Onya Skip, Well deserved!

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 26/10/2011 11:48:27 PM)

1/ What a class act Skippy has always been off and on the playing field,in any capacity he has been involved in.. Inspires others around him,and the keen minds amongst the membership and supporters who know their footy and their Club have always appreciated what Hayden has brought to the two Clubs..

- Noel Shields (posted 27/10/2011 3:48:08 AM)

2/ Sadly cut down by injury setbacks,thus shortening his career,but that only redirected his value and talent on offer into other areas and responsibilities... Where you find the like of a Hayden Skipworth,you find the misfit types like the Fevs,Cousins and the Zantucks of this world quite absent.. Wonderful Appointment Bendigo Bombers,2012 will be a year to cherish imo,when pride in performing to their upmost and focus on "upping the ante" will be just what we all want and deserve.. Go Bendigo Boys,Go Bomber Boys :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 27/10/2011 3:51:05 AM)

Haydon, many thanks for all you have done for the Essendon boys during your time with them and good luck with your new journey in 2012 and beyond. I'm sure you will be a huge success. Angie :)

- Angeline Baron (posted 27/10/2011 10:35:37 AM)

If we are to field our own stand-alone VFL side in 2013, one wonders what names will be used by Bendigo and Essendon. Will Bendigo have to choose a new symbolic moniker, since the term "Bombers" belongs to Essendon? And, whilst thinking about it, perhaps a new guernsey? Exciting times ahead. :) Angie

- Angeline Baron (posted 27/10/2011 10:40:12 AM)

EI - any chance Skippy will be a playing coach?

- Kevin Jackson (posted 27/10/2011 1:16:11 PM)

Great choice hope it turns out perfect for everyone,Skip deserves this opportunity.

- hairry potter (posted 27/10/2011 7:16:05 PM)

For those who might not have heard,Skippy converts into being the Essendon Reserves Coach in 2013 when,as announced,both Clubs follow a new direction... Very keen to see some former Bomber players still on the recruiting radar and represent Bendigo..Good relationships and good friends should always be cherished,appreciated and supported.. Sport can create opportunities and friendships that can last a lifetime,it has often been said... :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 28/10/2011 12:34:00 AM)

And Knighta gets the junior Cats. Be interesting to see if he can work on his craft there.

- alec shiffman (posted 28/10/2011 6:06:42 PM)

Congratulations to Hayden Skipworth on becoming coach of Bendigo Bombers and to Matthew Knights getting the VFL coaching role at Geelong. Sure when the two sides meet there will be added interest.

- Martin Gol (posted 28/10/2011 7:33:20 PM)

Good work Skippy!

- Joseph Attard (posted 29/10/2011 10:54:42 PM)

My first post on this site was to say 'farewell' to Skip so it great to say 'welcome back'! And welcome back to Victoria Matthew Knights! Obviously a club that has won three flags in five years, much of it based on a solid seconds, sees some value in him. Maybe it is like that Beach Boys song, "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times".

- Kris Bayne (posted 30/10/2011 1:15:37 AM)