We are excited to announce the coaches for our junior firsts teams, under 16 boys and girls shield, under 14 boys shield and girls pennant and the under 12 mixed shield team.
Under 16 boys shield Coaches
Anthony Papadopoulos has been part of our coaching team at Southern for some years. He coached our under 14 boys shield team in 2023 and 2024. Ant was head coach for the under 14 Victorian indoor state team at the Australian indoor championships in which they won gold, his second year as head coach for the Under 14/13 Vic indoor team. Ant was assistant coach for the under 14 state team (outdoor) at the Aus championship in 2024. Ant also coaches/has coached at St Leonard’s College, Brighton Grammar and Wesley College.
Ant is a member of the Men’s Premier league reserves team after successful years in junior as part of the under 16 shield premiership team in 2019, under 16 pennant premiership team in 2018, under 14 shield runners up team in 2017.
George Papadopoulos is taking on role of assistant coach for the under 16 boys shield team. George is a member of our men’s premier league team, and part of the premiership team in 2024. George has been part of every state team since under 12, currently part of the Victorian under 21 squad.
George too has had a very successful junior career at the club, part of the shield premiership team Under 14 in 2018, and under 12 in 2016. George recently won player of the tournament at the Australian Under 18 indoor championships, and was awarded the Hockey Victoria Mike Craig Medal for the best under 16 boy in 2022. George will also be coaching at St Leonard’s College this year.
Under 16 Girls Shield Coaches
Josie Lawton a member of our women’s premier league team, part of the Australian Development Squad and the Australian Under 21 Jillaroos. Josie has been part of the Jillaroos Junior World Cup squad and played in Australia A games. Josie has been in every outdoor junior state team since under 12s.
While in juniors Josie was part of our 2019 and 2018 under 16 mixed shield premiers, 2017 under 14 mixed shield runners up and 2015 under 12 mixed shield premiers. In indoor part of our girls indoor club championship winning team in 2019, 2018, and 2016.
Josie was assistant coach for the runners up under 16 girls shield in 2024, coaches at Haileybury and also works with HV at academy and Hockey Club Melbourne clinics.
Bobby Payne needs little introduction to many people. Bobby is currently known for the Bobby’s coaching academy, which commenced in 2018, running programs for juniors including taking junior teams to the Gryphon Cup in Perth, with many of our juniors involved in this. He has coached both junior and senior teams over the past 15 years including JSC teams.
Under 14 boys shield coaches
Adam Davey is leading up the coaching of the under 14 shield boys. Adam, a primary school teacher has coached on and off at Southern for the past 10 years, also having coached Collegians Vic League team. Adam is the captain of our premier league reserves team in 2024, having played over 300 games for Southern.
Adam will be ably assisted by his father the wonderful Warren Davey. Warren, a club life member, needs little introduction around the club, having coached women’s pennant A as well as many others over the times, nearly every possible junior team that Southern has had.
Under 14 girls pennant coach
Stef Adames has been part of our premier league/vic league squads since 2014. Stef was part of the over 45 Australian Masters world cup team that won gold in 2024.
Stef is head coach at Haileybury having led the Haileybury girls team to APS premierships over many years, her coaching record is impeccable, bringing the hockey knowledge together with teaching skills together.
Stef will be assisted by another member from the women’s section.
Under 12 Mixed shield Coach
Jason Crebbin, our under 12 mixed coach, has been involved in hockey for years—playing, coaching, umpiring, and cheering on his hockey family, with his wife, daughter, and son all part of the game. He started as a junior at Moorabbin Hockey Club and later played seniors at Melton, Melbourne Uni, and Mentone. Over the years, Jason has coached a range of teams, from senior men’s and women’s PLR squads to several JSC teams, including the recent U18 Girls with a strong group from SUHC.
With over 15 years of experience as a primary school teacher, Jason brings a strong understanding of working with young people, helping them build confidence, and supporting their development. This year, he is coaching the U12 Shield team, focusing on developing their fundamental skills, teamwork, and resilience both on and off the field.
Hockey has always been a big part of Jason’s life, and he is excited to work with this group of talented young players for another exciting season.
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