Port Adelaide is pleased to announce that experienced coach and development specialist Heath Younie will join the club as its new Head of Development.
As part of the role, Younie will also oversee Port Adelaide's SANFL team as senior coach of the Magpies, taking responsibility for the development of the club's emerging talent across both AFL and SANFL programs.
Younie brings more than a decade of coaching and player development experience to Alberton, spanning both the AFL and SANFL systems.
A former North Adelaide player who represented the club in 183 SANFL League games, Younie was Adelaide's inaugural SANFL senior coach from 2014 to 2016 and again in 2019, steering the Crows to their first two SANFL preliminary finals. He went on to join North Melbourne as an assistant coach in 2021 and 2022.
Most recently, Younie has worked across the SANFL's talent pathway as SANFL Head of Development, immersing himself in the growth of the state's most promising under-16 and under-18 talent, experience that positions him ideally to guide Port Adelaide's young list.
Younie said he was thrilled to be joining a club with such a strong foundation and proud history.
“To join a club like Port Adelaide, one that's strong, well-run and has such a long history of success is a privilege,” Younie said.
“There's a really exciting young list here, with some outstanding talent already in the system and more to come through via this year's National Draft. Being able to play a part in developing that talent is exactly the kind of challenge I was looking for.
“I'm also looking forward to working within a football program under AFL senior coach Josh Carr and GM of Football Ben Rutten who are building something with real purpose here. It's a program I'm proud to be part of and I can't wait to get started.”
Port Adelaide General Manager – Football Ben Rutten said he was delighted to secure Younie's services.
“We're really excited by this appointment,” Rutten said.
“To have someone of Heath's calibre overseeing the development of our list is a significant addition to our football program. He has a long and proven history in player development and coaching across both the AFL and SANFL systems and that experience will be invaluable for our emerging group.
“But most importantly, Heath is a person of tremendous character who aligns strongly with what Port Adelaide stands for. He's exactly the kind of person we want helping to shape our young players, both as footballers and as people.”
Younie will commence his role ahead of Port Adelaide’s pre-season campaign.
