The 2025 AGM will be taking place on Wednesday 22nd October in the newly refurbished club rooms at 6:30pm. We are wanting everyone who wants to have a say on the Canterbury Football Club’s future to come and have their input.

If you’re unable to make the meeting though would like to nominate someone to a position, please get in touch with Secretary James Sabell or President Mitch Deane.

Hoping to see plenty of faces at the AGM to kick start season 2026 with a bang and ensure it’s a year to remember, as the club establishes it’s Men’s Program in higher divisions of the VAFA and the women work towards a new period of success.

The Canterbury Football Club wishes to advise that Brayden Curtis will not be continuing in his role as Men’s Reserves Coach in 2026.

The connections that Brayden has made during his time at the club as a coach and assistant coach is a testament to his commitment and the significant contributions he made to help establish Canterbury as a welcoming and safe environment for everyone.

His profound impact on both playing group and broader club cannot be understated and the club would like to extend its sincere gratitude to a terrific person and leader.

Because of the above, we’re on the lookout for the next coach of our men’s development squad!

Working closely with the Men’s Seniors Coach, the successful candidate will also play a significant role in player development and alignment across the program, as well as help in the planning and running of training sessions.

If this sounds like a role you might be interested in or you know someone who may be a good fit, get in touch or learn more via the link on the VAFA website.

The club was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Robert “Bob” Woollard.

Bob played in the 50s and 60s, was a member of the 1956 Senior premiership team, and attended past players day until recent years when his health declined.

Our thoughts are with Bob’s family during this difficult time.

The Canterbury Football Club invites applications for the position of Senior Women’s Coach for the 2026 season.

Our women’s program has developed a strong foundation over the past three years. With multiple seasons of senior football experience and a committed playing group, the program is now well placed to take the next step in its evolution. We are seeking a motivated and ambitious coach to lead this next phase.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an aspiring or established coach to make a meaningful impact within a well-supported and community oriented club environment.

For more information please see the full position listing, or send an email through to President Mitch Deane.

The Canterbury Football Club wishes to thank Senior Women’s Coach James Sabell, who announced to the playing group that he will step down from his role at the end of the season.

“Jimmy” has coached the club’s women’s team for the past three seasons and has been everything our program needed and more. He has been the driving force behind the revitalisation of our women’s program and created a culture any club would be proud of.

While James will continue to be a familiar face around the club, we thank him for everything he has done for the Cobras and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavours.

The club will now begin the process of appointing our next Senior Women’s Coach, with further details to follow.

Please join us in thanking Jimmy for his outstanding service to the Canterbury Football Club. Forever a Cobra.

The club wishes to advise the gentle passing of former Canterbury coach Ray McVilly, who was surrounded by family on the morning of Wednesday, June 25.

Ray was an esteemed football person – having played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the late 1950’s – and coached Canterbury in its 1981 centenary year where he took the team to a grand final appearance.

One member recalls:

“One day after a loss he brings the players into a huddle at the Snake Pit and says, ‘Some of you are not switched on and have no attention to detail. Some of you would not even know the order of the colours on the front of our jumpers!” Players looked around and some of the jumpers were red, black and yellow, and yellow, black and red. And the playing group burst into laughter.”

Our thoughts are with the McVilly family at this time and all who knew him.

Details of the funeral will be made available once we have them.

The Canterbury Football Club remains in a strong position heading into the 2025 season, with solid player numbers across our Senior and Reserves teams. However, after thorough evaluation and exploration of all possible options, the club has made the difficult decision not to field a Thirds team in 2025.

While interest in a Thirds side has been encouraging, our current playing list does not provide the necessary depth to consistently support three teams. Our focus will be on ensuring our two senior teams remain well-resourced, competitive, and sustainable for the long term.

We appreciate the support and enthusiasm from those who expressed interest in a Thirds team, and we encourage all players to commit to our Senior and Reserves squads for the season ahead. The club remains committed to growth and will continue to monitor opportunities to expand in future years.

Thank you to our players, members, and supporters for your ongoing commitment to the Canterbury Football Club. We’re looking forward to a big 2025 season across our Men’s Seniors and Reserves teams, as well as our Women’s program.

Mitch Deane
President

Join the Canterbury Cobras in 2025!

Whether you’re an experienced footballer or just starting your footy journey, the Cobras want you! We’re actively recruiting players across all our men’s and women’s programs for the upcoming 2025 season.

Our club prides itself on fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone can thrive. From our 2024 premiership winning men’s senior team to our development-focused squads, there’s a place for players of all skill levels. Our newly minted under 19s program provides the perfect stepping stone for younger players looking to develop their game, while our women’s seniors team continues to grow from strength to strength.

At the Cobras, we’re more than just a football club – we’re a community. Our experienced coaching staff is committed to player development, and our social calendar ensures there’s plenty of fun off the field too. Training is taking place now, with preseason the perfect time to find your feet and meet your new teammates.

Interested players are welcome to come down to a training session and see what we’re all about. For more information or to register your interest, contact our Football Operations Manager at footyops@canterburyfootball.club or drop by during one of our training sessions.

Be part of something special in 2025 – become a Cobra!

The Club was deeply saddened to hear about the recent passing of former player, coach, Life Member and long-time volunteer, Ron Eade.

The following is an extract from club historian James Nicholas.

Dear Cobra family,

I bring very sad news with the passing yesterday of former player and life member Ron Eade. Ron lost his battle with cancer and his loss makes our club much the poorer. Ron starting playing for the club around the early 1970s and married Lorraine Bogan whose father was a loyal servant and president Reg Bogan ( The man who wrote our club song). Ron showed his commitment to our club by coaching the Under 13s and it is there I first met Ron as a 12 year old. Ron’s stepson Dane was our star ruckman!

Ron had the John Kennedy ‘Dont think do’ booming voice but was a very kind coach. The sight of all us kids dressed into our Canterbury gear piled in to the back of the late Kevin Woodfords ute to get to away games forged life long friendships. On the way back to Canterbury after a win we would sing the club song over and over again to the amusement of motorists. In front Ron smoked one ciggie after the other with the smoke blowing back to us. He always addressed the team at the breaks with lit smoke in hand.

His love of his players resulted in about half the team remaining Canterbury players for their whole careers. Ron worked in the air force and that saw him transferred to Townsville for years. When he left he was back in Melbourne a loyal supporter at our games and he was on Snake pit whenever anything was said supporting the club and was a loyal attender at Past Players Day.

Rons loyalty to me personally has never wavered and he always has been one of the people I was most close with at the club. A loyal Saints man outside of Canterbury, we have lost a father figure to many of us.

Love you Ron and thanks for all your support over almost a lifetime. Vale Ron Eade Canterbury FC through and through…’

We’re all set for the annual Cobra Ball!

Taking place at Harlow Bar in Richmond on Saturday July 22nd, the event will run from 7pm til late. Tickets are $130 each which includes beer, wine & soft drinks as well as some light food throughout the evening.

Only 120 tickets will be sold so be sure to get in quickly before they run out!

https://canterburycobras.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events/52670-cobra-ball-2023