Clay Sampson to Coach South Adelaide U16's in 2016

South Adelaide Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Clay Sampson as its Centre of Excellence U16 Coach for 2016.

Sampson takes over the role recently vacated by Julian Farkas following his appointment as the SANFL Talent Programs Coordinator.

Since finishing his tenure as Coach at Myponga-Sellicks in the Great Southern Football League at the end of this season, Sampson has been working as a Mentor Coach in the U16 Panther Club Football Academy.

A former Crows premiership player, Sampson has had a long association with the South Adelaide Football Club. He is a former 142 game player, League Coach, Captain, Knuckey Cup winner and is a Life Member of the Club.

South Adelaide Talent Manager Tony Bamford said it was a coup for the Club to have someone with Clay's footballing experience take on the role.

"Our U16s made the Grand Final this year so it was important we found a well-credentialed coach for this talented group," said Bamford.

"Clay is clearly a highly-regarded South Adelaide person and through his coaching in the GSFL has enhanced his connection with the Southern zone.

"It's just fantastic that he wants to continue his involvement in football and help us develop these young men and footballers."

Clay will officially start in the role when the U16s return for pre-season on January 11. He will be joined on the U16 Coaching Panel by Warren Ploenges, Craig Lallard, Nick McCarthy and Derek Cameron.

The U16s play a shortened season starting in April, playing the seven other SANFL teams once, with two weeks of finals.