Norwood unveils new Senior Coach, Jade Sheedy

The Norwood Football Club is excited to announce the signing of new Senior Coach, Jade Sheedy.

Sheedy will lead Norwood’s Senior Men’s program, officially committing to the club and meeting the playing group on Friday, November 8 2024.

Sheedy’s record within the SANFL competition speaks for itself, starting as a player with the Sturt Football Club he played 255 League matches (2000-2012), winning the 2002 SANFL Premiership and captaining the Double Blues across six seasons.

Across his playing career he was awarded the 2002 Magarey Medal, won four Best and Fairest Awards with Sturt, played five State matches and was named in The Advertiser Team of the Year on six occasions.

As a Senior Coach Sheedy mentored Woodville-West Torrens across four seasons from 2020 to 2023, leading the Eagles to back to back SANFL Premierships in 2020 and 2021.

He was named the State Coach for 2021 and 2022, and was The Advertiser’s Coach of the Year in 2020.

Earlier this year he was inducted into the SA Football Hall of Fame.

Norwood CEO James Fantasia welcomed Sheedy to the club.

“We are delighted that we have been able to attract such a high level of candidates for the role, and are pleased to confirm that Jade Sheedy has not only been a standout coach in waiting, but comes with enormous experience as a player and premiership coach in our State League Competition,” Fantasia said.

“Jade’s appointment as Senior Coach marks an exciting new chapter for the Norwood Football Club.

“With his proven track record and deep commitment to both excellence and community, we’re confident he’ll bring strong leadership, inspire our players, and elevate the club to new heights.

“Jade understands the legacy and passion of the Norwood Football Club, and we’re thrilled to have him lead our team into the future.

“We look forward to seeing Jade bring his level of experience and to continue on the foundations that have already been laid at the club.”

Sheedy said he was excited to lead the Redlegs.

“It’s an honour to coach a club so rich in history, a club that’s been around for 146 years and has a great history behind it,” Sheedy said.

“I am looking forward to the challenge to coach the Norwood Football Club and I’m grateful for the opportunity and support.

“This has been such a big football club, a powerhouse of the SANFL for a long time. So many great players and moments have gone before us.

“Coaching is certainly a passion for me and although it’s a really big job and a serious job, it’s also a great passion of mine. It’s something I love doing. I love the people in football clubs and getting to know players, helping them get better on the field and driving a strong club through culture, that really excites me.”

Sheedy said he was impressed with Norwood’s Senior Men’s squad.

“I am excited by the challenge and excited to work with the players, I have heard good things about them and how driven they are – it aligns with me as a coach,” he said.

“It was a successful year in 2024, but I’m excited about the demographic of the list, it’s a young list and they seem tight knit, are good mates and they work hard – you need these things to be successful.

“I am looking forward to helping them on their journey and improve on that. I love the conditioning side, roles, and if you have a driven group it can all come together well.”

Norwood’s pre-season for the 2025 campaign gets underway in the first week of December.

PLAYING RECORD
* 255 games and 117 goals for Sturt 2000 – 2012
* Captain of Sturt 2007, 2008 (joint with Ben Nelson), 2009 – 2012

PREMIERSHIPS
* Member of the premiership team for Sturt 2002
* Senior Coach of Woodville West Torrens 2020 and 2021 premierships

MATCHES FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
*  5 matches for South Australia
*  Captain of South Australia 2008, 2009

ACHIEVEMENTS
*  Best and fairest for Sturt (PT Morton Medal) 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009
* Magarey Medal 2002 (joint with Tim Weatherald)
* Advertiser Team of the Year 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008 (C), 2009, 2010 (C)
* Player Life Member of Sturt 2010
* Player Life Member of SANFL 2009

COACHING RECORD
*Senior Coach for Woodville West Torrens (SANFL) 2020 – 2023
*Senior Coach for SANFL State Team 2021, 2022
*Advertiser Team of the Year Coach 2020