Season Preview – UTS Bats
Written by Lachlan Scott
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The 2023 Season is all about growth for the UTS Bats.
With stability in coaching, operations and sponsors, the big focus is on fitness and integrating new talent alongside existing experience.
Expect a shot at a finals run for the Women’s Prems and a well drilled competitiveness from the Men’s. With a plethora of new names and faces in the U19’s, it looks to be a compelling season for a group determined to jumpstart their rise through gut running and determination.
Word to the wise, watch this space.
“UTS Bats are looking to further progress the on field & off field gains made over the past two seasons. The Bats have retained their core list of players and sponsors who all share the vision to drive the club forward to be an elite club built as one team on and off the field.” Sam Chadwick, Vice President
Pre-season
The Bats Committee has remained relatively stable for 2023, with Adrian Sibbick remaining as President and Sam Chadwick as Vice President and Football Director, and Rose Leeson-Smith as other Vice President. The Club has recruited several new Committee members to supplement the existing IP of the returning Committee, which now includes 2 former Club Presidents.
led by Miguel Limson, the Women’s Coaching Group remains largely consistent for 2023 after an extremely positive 2022 campaign across all grades. The Men’s Coaching Group is led by new Head Coach Kevin Dyson and supported by assistants Rob Cheval, David Smith and Ben Crowe. Steve Waring is the newly appointed reserves coach and Harrison Lee moves form U19s Division 1 assistant to head coach supported by Jason Simcocks. All club coaches are listed here: https://utsafc.com.au/football/#people
Under the watchful eye of new Men’s Head Coach Kevin Dyson, the players have undertaken a rigorous Strength & Conditioning training program during the pre-season, with a focus on player fitness. The women’s program and U19s have similarly undertaken a Strength & Conditioning training program in the pre-season managed by UTS Sport. The Bats look fit and ready for season 2023.
2023 will see the same 9 teams fielded as in 2022. Importantly, the player numbers for the Club’s U19s team this season will be a record high, driven by a very successful Youth Academy Program run in late 2022 and strong relationships with our pathway junior clubs and schools.
Off-season Highlights
The Bats have made an in principle agreement to invest in Bat and Ball Oval redevelopment for a new amenities block – has a fantastic surface with no cricket block there and we look forward to playing some home games there in the future and further supporting the junior pathway club Moore Park Tigers who share the ground.
The Club has also worked closely with Easts Bulldogs Juniors to secure grant funding to redevelop the change rooms at Trumper Oval and continues to work closely with Waverley Council on securing greater access to Waverley Oval.
The club has retained all 2023 sponsors and secured new partners in Income Asset Management Group and Steadfast Insurance.
The Club is kicking off 2023 season with a Networking Lunch in Paddington on 31 March for club partners and supporters, which will be attended by Sydney Swans Head of Football Charlie Gardiner and Swans players.
Charity and Community Outreach events
On Sunday 19th Feb, the Club travelled to the Central Coast and conducted an AFL Football Youth Clinic. Over 50 Bats players and staff attended in what was a hugely successful day which created awareness and raised funds to support CCKIN. The famous Bats “Ladies Day” will again take place this season against Pennant Hills at Trumper Oval, on 13 May with live music, bars, food, activations, VIP marquee, corporate tents, and Bean Bags on the Hill. Save the date and get along.
Sponsor Spotlight
The Bats are proud to announce that The Golden Sheaf have committed to continuing as the Club’s Major Partner in season 2023. Providing much needed funding of playing jumpers and a function room The Bats can call their own, The Golden Sheaf has it all. From delicious food from the kitchen to chilled out vibes in the beer garden, live music & DJs every weekend & cocktails on the rooftop. Day or night, Monday to Sunday, experience the ritual that is The Golden Sheaf.
The Club also wishes to acknowledge all its partners, in particular its longest serving sponsors UTS Sport, Eakin McCaffery Cox and Accounting Evolution.
Men’s First Grade Team Preview (Premier Division)
“I am proud of the way the players, coaches and club have embraced a tough pre-season campaign for the Mens Prems. Our goal is to become more competitive for longer in Premier Grade games & gain respect. Right now, I believe we have done the work to achieve that goal, but the job is never done until you cross the white lines.” Kevin Dyson, Senior Coach
Preseason Powerhouse
Harrison Callahan has been our most consistent throughout the pre-season. He is a seasoned player that gives all his heart, body, mind & soul to the club & his teammates. Harrison has set the standard for the type of team we want to become.
Rising Stars
Antony Eussen & Ash Backlund.
Antony is fresh from the Under 19s program but has proven himself to be one of our strongest and most competitive players consistently at training and in practice matches. Ant is a born Four Quarter Contested Beast & will get better in the journey ahead. Ash Backlund is the fittest & strongest I have seen him since he was 5 years old. If he really pins his ears back in 2023, he can emerge as a competition power forward & show everyone what he can really do at his best.
Big Ins
Harrie Lahy across the middle, Will Devlin across Half Back, Nick McGill as a mid are the ones that really stand out.
Harrie is a seasoned mid from Melbourne Uni Blacks who just understands the game, Will is a country boy from Echuca that loves a contest and just loves footy. Nick is a jet that is also on the Sydney Swans VFL contract list & originally from South Australia. Honestly, I hope we don’t see Nick that often and he keeps pushing towards his dream to be drafted one day. However, if we do see Nick, he will light up Premier Grade in Sydney.
Big Outs
Billy Kanakis is our Best & Fairest from 2022 and Team of the Year player in Premier Grade. Always very tough to replace a player of his quality, talent, and footy IQ. We will miss him.
Team to Beat in 2023
UNSW is as always blessed with enormous depth and talent. They have picked up Jordan Foote (again) who will be arguably the best inside mid in the comp & Ruck Sam Gaden following two years at SANFL club South Adelaide. They are well established & coached in the UNSW Sydney footy factory that will keep rolling along in 2023.
Women’s First Grade Team Preview (Premier Division)
“After last year’s record-breaking season of wins and showing the league that we mean business, the WPREMS is looking to take it to the next level. It has been a big pre-season; the players have been working hard on S&C and fine tuning our structures. The group has been pushed out of their comfort zones. We are aiming to go deep this season.” Miguel Limson, Senior Coach
Preseason Powerhouse
Taylah Canobie had her first season with UTS last year. After an impressive first year with the club and coming 3rd in the Rising Star count, Taylah is ready to show Sydney AFL that there is more to come. She has been lighting up at training and her hard work is paying off. She has been very impressive in the trial matches that been played.
Rising Stars
Ella Parker (New) & Serina Baukes (Returning).
Ella Parker comes to us after making her Prems debut last year for Southern Power. She was a highly talented player through juniors and Swans Academy. She is looking to play a consistent season in senior footy. For her age, she showcases impressive leadership skills and brilliant game awareness. Serina Baukes is going into her second season for the Bats. Another highly rated Swans academy player. Serina has been very impressive in pre-season and looks to gain more minutes in the midfield for the 2023 season. She is a very versatile player who loves to break tackles and showcase her lovely kicking game.
Big Ins
Danika Spamer, April Devine & Hannah Cerezo (New) | Gil Behan (Returning)
The WPREMS has been blessed to recruit a couple of great players that will make an impact this season. Danika Spamer was the Best and Fairest league medallist for the Hunter Region last season playing for the Cardiff Hawks. She will bring much needed service in our midfield group with her tenacity to win the ball and brilliant decision making. April Devine comes across from UNSW. She is tall and very athletic. She will strengthen our ruck stocks and be a dangerous target up in the forward line. Hannah Cerezo comes across from Mac Uni. She is a great runner with exceptional footy skills. She is going to be another player that is going to add much needed service in the midfield. Gil Behan is a massive returnee to the club. She has been playing with IWM for the last couple of seasons. She is a former captain of UTS. Now she is back to the club that has a younger and stronger playing group, and she will be a much-needed boost to our forward line. She is dangerous in the forward line and loves to kick goals.
Big Outs
The WPREMS have done well to retain most of the core from last year. Grace Hill might be the closest to “Big outs” for the season. Grace was promoted to an AFLW list last year with the Giants and that would take most of her time. The Women’s program and the club are very supportive when it comes to players achieving/striving higher honours in the game.
Team to Beat in 2023
East Coast Eagles will be the team to beat again for the 2023 season. Having 3 of their Women’s grades make Grand Final appearances last season, they will be strong again. Credit to their coaching staff and great depth of players to keep them competitive. I expect them to have another big season with Ash Moeller back as a coach.
U19s Team Preview
“It’s been a gruelling pre-season for the lads, most have been training with the Premier Division group for majority of training sessions. They have been mentally challenging and combined with a focus on strength and conditioning will place us in good stead to be one of the fittest teams in the competition.” Harry Lee, Under 19’s Head Coach
“The lads have been working hard all pre-season, and with the addition of the inaugural UTS Academy to strengthen our squad numbers, we are well placed to be a far more competitive side on a week-to-week basis this season.” Harry Lee, Under 19’s Head Coach
Preseason Powerhouse
Damian Ryan played a few games for us last season and looks to have gone to another level this pre-season. The deserving winner of the league B&F for U17s division 2 competition last season will be one to watch out for on the track this season. Damian is studying at UTS in 2023.
Ex Moore Park Tigers junior, Swans Academy and National Championships rep Josh Ralph has also taken his game to the next stage over the pre-season. His raw talent and speed are a given, and combined with his leadership and motivational skills, he will be getting the best out of himself and his teammates this season. Josh is also commencing his studies at UTS this year as an Elite Athlete Program scholarship holder.
Rising Stars
Cameron O’Brien joins us from the Canada Bay Cannons with one year left in the junior system. His amazing kick alongside some real game smarts holds him in great stead for this year and many more to come in U19s.
Patrick Cummins has a year of U19s already under his belt, and really will be a beacon for the team to look to throughout the entire season. Look out for Paddy barking instructions at his teammates on and off the field. Another Canada Bay Cannons graduate.
Oscar Doland joins from the Whitsundays studying as a UTS student this year. It has been a privilege to coach Oscar already, with him bringing a variety of drills and mindsets from his time playing senior footy.
Big Ins
George Boyd joins us from Sydney University’s U19s Division 1 Premiership winning side last season as a UTS Elite Athlete Program scholarship holder. He brings a great voice and leadership alongside elite ball skills and has already made a positive impact on the team’s skillset and culture.
Maddox Grebert also joins the team from pathway club Maroubra Saints as Captain of their U17s Division 2 Premiership side from last season (and Waverely College School Football Captain). Maddox’s enormous running tank and well-rounded skills will be another enormous contribution.
We are also excited to have the 2022 AFL Sydney U19s Division 1 Best and Fairest joining us this season, Bili Robertson. Bili is a current Sydney Swans NAB League Academy Member, having already played several games in their U17s squad this year. He was also the Newington College School Football Captain last year, and we’re looking forwards to seeing what he brings to the field this year for the Bats.
Big Outs
We had a large amount of outs this season with a few of the boys moving on to play Premier Division footy for the club this season, including Canada Bay lads Louis Pribula and Liam Gordon, who will be sorely missed. Best and Fairest winner Antony Eussen will also leave a large gap in the side as he steps into the Premier Division team.
Former Head coach Todd Thorn also steps down after guiding the under 19s side for the past 2 seasons. A coach who stuck by his club in tough times will hopefully be able to follow with pride this season from the sidelines.
Team to Beat in 2023
I am going to back the defending premiers Sydney University. Having coached a few of their bottom aged players in juniors, I expect further development from those guys which makes the team a challenging proposition for season 2023.
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