Surf Coast has put a significant piece of the puzzle in place as it prepares for its entry into the Bellarine League in 2026 following the appointment of its inaugural senior coach.
The Suns have unveiled Trent Rogers, who spent this year as an assistant coach with GFNL club South Barwon, following a three-year tenure with Essendon and District club Airport West, which included a Division 1 premiership in 2022.
The 36-year-old, who has also been involved at the Geelong Falcons, told K rock Football being tagged in a social media post when Surf Coast started its coach search piqued his interest.
“I got a tag on social media from one of the members at work – I run gym down at Torquay – to give me a gentle nudge and encouragement,” Rogers, whose appointment was confirmed at the Suns’ AGM on Wednesday night, said.
“I saw it there, and I thought, ‘You know what? I’ll throw my hat in the ring and see how I go’.
“I had a chat with Jay (Williams, president) a week or two after that, which went pretty well.
“Then Jay and the guys at Surf Coast had to do their due diligence and follow-up applications with all those guys.”
As Rogers and his family were about to board a flight to Bail earlier this month, Surf Coast was again keen to chat.
“I was literally picking up the bag and getting the kids together, and I got a text message from Jay saying they were keen to chat again,” he said.
“I shot him a message saying, ‘I’m about to board a plane. I’ll give you a call in just under a couple of weeks when I get back’.
“We caught up at the footy club, (and) I went away from there and had the chat with the wife and the family and just thought it through for 24-48 to make sure I felt like it was the right opportunity.
“I spoke to Jay earlier this week and said I was right to go, and here we are now.”
Williams says Rogers, who has signed a three-year deal, which includes 2025, is the coach the fledgling club was looking for.
“He presented really well, his CV was really good, and he fitted the mold of what we wanted with (his) age demographic and plenty of experience with development at the Falcons,” Williams said.
“He coached in his own right at Airport West in the Essendon and District League, won a flag there, and competed in Premier Division.
“He was commuting there from Armstrong Creek, so it showed commitment.”
Rogers’ appointment follows a four-month process where interest was labelled “moderate without being intense”, according to Williams.
“We met him once, and we had a couple of irons in the fire at that stage,” he said.
“We went away for a little bit and thought about it for a while, (and) let some others come through.
“We reconnected with him about 3-4 weeks ago when he finished up at South Barwon.
“As we met up again, it firmed in my mind that he was the guy. He was still really keen, and it was all good after that.”
A junior at Airport West and Hillside, Rogers did two pre-seasons with Talent League club Western Jets.
Ironically, at the end of one of those, he was cut by Mark Neeld, who he worked under at South Barwon this year.
Rogers spent a season playing reserves with VFL club Port Melbourne before playing out his career between Airport West and VAFA club Prahran.
He was appointed coach of Airport West ahead of the 2021 season, travelling 3-4 times a week to Melbourne.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I was passionate about it, but I let it consume too much of my life, and it was taking me away from my kids and my wife,” Rogers said.
“I thought (when I stepped down), ‘You’ve had a good run for three years, made some great memories and have some great friends. But, it’s time to pursue opportunities closer to home’.
“That’s what led me to South Barwon for this year, where I was privileged enough to work under Neeldy.”
With 16 months until its first game, recruiting won’t become a priority until next year.
For now, Rogers will become acquainted with Surf Coast’s underage section.
“Everyone who’s playing with us in 2026 is fresh into a pre-season preparing for 2025 with their current club,” he said.
“So, the most important thing to begin with is establishing a connection with the juniors and the foundations the club’s built over the years.
“I’m looking to meet the juniors and the parents.
“It’s really important I get to know all the junior coaches to see how I can assist them and how we can collaborate and work together as a team.”
X: @krockfootball
