Athelite Australian Emus Head Coaches Announced

Touch Football Australia has appointed new Head Coaches for the Australian Opens teams, the Athelite Australian Emus, for the new World Cup cycle leading up to the 2028 World Cup to be held in New Zealand.

Phil Gyemore has been again appointed as the Head Coach for the Men’s Open team, Renee Murphy moves into the vacant Women’s Open position, and Dave Nolan retains the Mixed Open position after a successful 2024 campaign.

Touch Football Australia CEO, Jamie O’Connor welcomed the appointments ahead of the new World Cup cycle.

“My sincerest congratulations go to Phil, Renee, and Dave on being appointed to our game’s most elite coaching positions. We have just come off a very successful World Cup campaign in Nottingham but it is important that we continue to build on our program as we turn our attention to defending our World Cup titles in New Zealand in 2028,” O’Connor said.

“Phil and Dave return after winning their respective divisions and Renee comes in to replace Swain Rovelli as the Women's Opens Head Coach for the first time. Renee’s record over the past number of years is exemplary and I’m excited to see her get this opportunity.”

The Men’s program will see Phil Gyemore retained as Head Coach in a cycle where COVID-19 impacted the international program for long periods – but he was able to reshape the Men’s structure and continue success after long-time coach Tony Trad. This second term will provide no bigger challenge than tackling New Zealand in their own backyard in 2028. 

“It’s an immense honour and privilege to serve as the Head Coach of the Athelite Australian Emus Men’s Open team as we head into the next cycle leading into the 2028 World Cup in New Zealand. This role is not just a position but a responsibility to lead, inspire, and guide the finest athletes our country has to offer across the entire High-Performance Program, and in particular the Men’s pathway,” Gyemore said.

“I look forward to the challenge ahead and I’m excited to see the players work towards reaching their potential as individuals, as people, and to see what we can achieve together.”

For the Women’s Open program, highly successful Head Coach Swain Rovelli will step away from the role after two cycles in the program in which the team has remained undefeated in all competitions under his guidance, with Renee Murphy stepping into the role. Renee, having served her apprenticeship as Assistant Coach to Rovelli, was Head Coach of the Women’s 20s Emus and had success at State and National levels in the Women’s division.

“I am honoured to step into the role of the new Athelite Australian Emus Women’s Open Head Coach, following the tremendous leadership of Swain Rovelli who guided the team to two consecutive World Cup titles and fostered a culture of genuine connections and excellence. I am eager to honour the legacy that has been built while also ushering in a new generation of talent,” Murphy said.

The Mixed Open program will see Dave Nolan enter a second cycle in the High-Performance Program after leading the team to an impressive victory over New Zealand at the 2024 World Cup where he transformed the style of the game. Dave’s characteristics centre around a strong culture and leadership that transcends all players throughout the program, and we look forward to what he can achieve in the next four years.

“It’s always an honour every chance I get to represent my country, and I’m excited to lead the Mixed Open program which allows me to align with the ever-growing pool of exceptionally talented players we have in Australia,” Nolan said.

“Following the 2024 World Cup in Nottingham, I am convinced our game has never been stronger after having a record twenty-nine teams compete in Mixed divisions. I look forward to the next cycle ahead working with both the Mixed Open team and the wider High-Performance Program.”

The appointments follow a successful 2024 World Cup campaign for the Athelite Australian Emus who were crowned Opens and Masters World Champions in Nottingham, England in July. The Emus claimed twelve out of thirteen Gold Medals in a dominant performance, reaffirming Australia’s position as the global benchmark.