Peel Thunder Senior Coach Geoff Valentine has agreed to a two-year contract extension, which will see him remain in the role until at least the end of the 2025 WAFL season.
Valentine entered the 2023 season on the final year of his contract after commencing his role as Senior Coach at Peel in October of 2021.
The Thunder are currently placed third on the WAFL ladder after a blistering start to the season and hold a 6-3 record over the opening nine rounds.
Their season is highlighted so far by a nine-point win over reigning WAFL premiers West Perth as well as commanding victories over Perth, West Coast and Swan Districts.
A former Falcons player in the WAFL, playing 56 games between 1992 and 1996, Valentine coached West Perth between 2019 and 2021 prior to beginning his role at Peel.
Touting an impressive coaching ability and responsible for driving a strong alignment between Peel and Fremantle, Valentine said he was thrilled to have his near future secured at the Thunder.
“I’m really excited to continue to work with both footy clubs, I think both are in a really good place,” Valentine said.
“It’s so great to be part of a team that is chasing AFL and WAFL premierships over the next couple of years.
“I’m very comfortable with where the alignment is at between both clubs and the feedback from both groups has been really positive.
“That’s reflective of the performances we have seen… the Peel kids that have come through into the senior program at Freo are playing a really strong brand of football, so the alignment seems to be in a good place.”
Peel Thunder’s General Manager of Football Operations Matt Rosa said the extension of Valentine gave an exciting outlook for what the Thunder could achieve in the coming years.
“The Club is rapt that Geoff will continue in his role as Senior Coach for the next two seasons,” Rosa said.
“Joff’ has played a key role in creating a football program that allows individuals to develop and thrive.
“He has shown a great ability of bringing people together on and off the field and we are excited about what the current playing group can achieve moving forward.”
Fremantle’s Executive General Manager of Football Peter Bell said Valentine had played a crucial role in the ongoing successful connection between Fremantle and Peel.
“Both the Club and Peel have been impressed with the quality of coaching that Geoff has demonstrated as Senior Coach at Peel,” Bell said.
“The alignment with Peel is extremely important in ensuring our players get the best opportunity to perform when they get given an opportunity at the elite level.
“Geoff has really enhanced the connection between the two Clubs since taking the reigns at the end of 2021 and both our Clubs are better places for him being a part of it.
“Our playing list is very young and inexperienced in relation to other teams across the AFL, so to have a leader with such aligned values as the Club will only benefit us in building towards sustained success.
“We look forward to Geoff continuing the build on his program for the next two years and developing our future stars of the competition.”
