Club News

Coaching Changes for 2024

The Norwood Football Club would like to thank outgoing senior squad assistant coaches Stephen Carr, Brian Zanker and Michael Knoll.

A long-term assistant at the club Carr has been involved in the Senior Men’s program since 2016, and has carried out the roles of Senior Assistant, Runner, Club Sponsor (Stephen Carr Plumbing) and most recently Midfield Coach over the past eight seasons.

Zanker carried out a Senior Assistant coaching role in 2022 and 2023, while Knoll was the club’s Reserves Coach this season.

Carr and Zanker were both involved in last year’s SANFL Grand Final victory as Assistant Coaches.

After retiring from SANFL football in 2021, former Norwood player Knoll took on the U18 Coaching role in 2022, before being elevated to Reserves Coach for the 2023 season.

Norwood Senior Coach Jade Rawlings thanked Carr, Zanker and Knoll for their contribution to the football program.

“A player, U18 coach and Reserves coach in his three years at Norwood, Michael has continually grown during his time at the club and has a big future in coaching if he continues to pursue that path,” Rawlings said.

“Michael and his wife Tiff have been a big part of the club.”

Rawlings said Carr had been a respected figure of the Norwood coaching panel for the past eight seasons at the club.

“Stephen has been an outstanding contributor to Norwood in a variety of roles,” Rawlings said.

“Most recently has been Midfield Coach over the last two seasons and has been a loyal staff member and friend of mine, in my three years at Norwood.

“His wife, Jade and three girls Mikayla, Kiara and Sienna have been great friends, and support to my family over the last three years. Steve was fully committed and gave plenty to the club and its players.”

Zanker spent two seasons within the club’s football program.

“Brian has been our Backline coach over the last two seasons,” Rawlings said.

“He established a close relationship with our backs and demonstrated an excellent work ethic in his time at Norwood. Brian is a quality person, and a strong family man, which we all respect at Norwood.”

The club thanks Carr, Knoll and Zanker for their contribution and wishes them all the best for the future.

Michael Knoll delivering a quarter time address to his Reserves side in Round 15 this year.

Brian Zanker addressing the backline on the Adelaide Oval, during last year’s Preliminary Final.

Brian Zanker (second from left) and Stephen Carr (second from right) were part of Norwood’s Assistant Coaching panel on Grand Final Day last year.