AFL Northern Territory in conjunction with the Northern Territory Football Club is delighted to announce one of Territory football’s favourites, Andrew Hodges, as the new Head Coach of NT Thunder.
Hodges, a former NT Thunder assistant coach, becomes the fifth coach of the Club after agreeing to a two-year contract that will see him lead the team in the 2017 and 2018 NEAFL seasons.
AFLNT Manager of Football Operations, Joel Bowden said Hodges was the best candidate in a strong field of applicants.
“We received a great deal of interest in the role and put a panel and process in place to ensure we could find the right fit for the Club.
“Andrew has the experience and passion to take up the role as Head Coach of NT Thunder. His knowledge, mentoring abilities and strong communication skills give us confidence that he can lead us in the direction we want to go as a Club, both on and off the field,” Bowden said.
No stranger to coaching, Hodges is a Level 3 accredited AFL coach and was recently appointed as senior assistant coach of the Adelaide Football Club women’s team.
He also coached the Wanderers Men’s Premier League side to NTFL premiership glory in season 2014/15 and has been an integral part of the AFLNT State Academy program. He coached the U18 and U16 side at National Championships this year and was also appointed an assistant coach for the Allies in 2016.
Hodges will see out his current commitments with the Adelaide Football Club for the inaugural AFL Women’s season, while taking control of the Thunder reigns with the support of NT State Academy and NT Thunder assistant coaches.
Hodges said it was a privilege to lead the Territory’s senior football team.
“NT Thunder is more than a footy club, it’s a representative of the Territory, our culture and our way of life. I feel extremely honoured to be given this opportunity.
“I believe I am well prepared for the challenges and hard work that lie ahead. I am passionate about instilling the right culture and attitude in the Club, where everyone has a focus on doing what is best for the team,” Hodges said.
He also said he was looking forward to making the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.
“I am excited to work with the players, assistant coaches and other NT Thunder staff to get the best results.”
Hodges will lead the team for their first pre-season training tonight at TIO Stadium.
Andrew Hodges
DOB:
03/07/1978
Playing career:
West Football Club (CAFL) 1994-95
Southern Districts Football Club (NTFL) 1996-99
St Mary’s Football Club (NTFL) 2000-2004
Southern Districts Football Club (NTFL) 2005-2007
Coaching career:
U18 Head Coach Southern Districts 2007-2008
U16 Head Coach NT Thunder 2013
Assistant coach at St Mary’s Football Club 2012-2014,
Assistant coach at NT Thunder 2014
Senior Coach at Wanderers Football Club 2014,
Senior Women’s Coach NT v South Australia 2015
U16 and U18 NT Thunder coach 2015-2016
Coaching mentor senior women 2016
2016 NAB AFL U18 National Championships Allies Assistant Coach
2016 Development coach AFLNT State Academy
2017 Adelaide Football Club Women’s senior assistant coach