After a successful 2024 for the A stream with the A Reserves and Phil Scott Colts winning their respective premierships, there’s been a coaching restructure that will guide us through season 2025. 

In late December, Daniel Spencer unfortunately stepped down due to personal reasons, opening the door for A Reserves premiership winning coach, Chris Ninkov to take charge of the league side. 

A fan favourite and stalwart of the University Football Club, Chris has held many coaching roles across the grades, showing a youthful exuberance and passion to amateur football. When tasked with the role of A Reserves head coach in 2024, Chris galvanized a relatively young and inexperienced side at times through the ebbs and flows of the season, culminating in a grand final berth and our first A Reserves premiership since 2016. Coming through the Colts program himself, Chris has fond memories of beginning his journey down at the club. 

“Uni has represented a significant part of my life over the past ten years. Starting through the Brett Jones Colts program and having the likes of Harry Donovan and Darren Mumford take a genuine interest in you, regardless of the level you played. It was this type of interaction that made me comfortable that I joined the right club.”

Defined as a true football savant, Ninkov has upskilled himself every step of the way through accredited AFL and WAFL coaching programs.  When asked about what coaching the A Grade means to him, he wasn’t short of a word. 

“The club represents so much more than football – it represents a real connection that I believe is hard to replicate. In taking the role, I hope I can emulate the success of my predecessors and continue to build upon the relationships that I have made during my time at the club”.

The playing list has an exciting mix of young and upcoming talent, with the group looking to continue building upon the foundations set. Ninkov, now entering his fourth year in the A Stream program, is confident that we can go one better in 2025. 

“I am really excited because we are made up of players who have primarily come through our Colts program. I acknowledge this as one of our great strengths that we’re able to retain this talent – caring and growing our players through all aspects of life”. 

Accompanying him in the coaching ranks will be Nick Winmar, who brings a mountain of knowledge to the playing group which is invaluable to everyone within the A Stream. 

“I am very excited to get to work with Nick directly again”, Ninkov said. 

“Nick has become such a significant asset to the football club and his re-appointment has been met with a great deal of enthusiasm by the entire playing group.”

The A Reserves will also have a fresh face at the helm this year, with Sam Gelavis stepping up to fill the role. Last year Sam was involved in a horrible on-field incident which forced him to step away from the game in the interim. To no one’s surprise however, he stayed involved with the reserves, taking up a coaching role where his football IQ became evident almost immediately. In only a few short weeks, he’s already become very influential amongst the playing group and we are incredibly eager to lead the A Reserves in their premiership defence. 

The A Colts are welcoming back Oscar Morcombe for a second year after an incredible debut season. Morcombe hit the ground running in 2024, as he led his side through the ebbs and flows of amateur colts football, ending with the ultimate success. He surpassed any expectations and has become an instrumental part of the club in his own right, binding the playing group in such a structured manner, something that he should be very proud of. We are thrilled to see Oscar go around again and are very confident he can take this new group of colters through to September.