Daniel Ward appointed Sandringham FC VFL Senior Coach for 2026

04/09/2025

The Sandringham Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Ward as our VFL Senior Coach for 2026.

Ward is a Premiership player for the Zebras, playing off the half back flank in our 2005 Premiership, and his performance was recognized with the VFL Norm Goss Medal for being the best on ground in the Grand Final. He boasts an impressive playing career, having been a member of the Melbourne Football Club from 1996 to 2007, during which he participated in 36 games for Sandringham and scored 16 goals as a defender.

After the 1999 season, he was honoured as Melbourne FC’s 'Most Improved Player' and finished the 2001 season in fifth place for the Melbourne FC Best & Fairest award. Ward was characterised as a 'run and carry' type player, celebrated for his bold runs and counterattacks from defence; his determination and team-first mentality were among his most notable attributes. Even though Melbourne lost the 2000 Grand Final to Essendon, Ward was recognised as one of Melbourne's best players on that occasion. Over the course of his playing career, Ward also represented Fitzroy Football Club, North Adelaide Football Club, and St Kilda City.  

Ward’s transition into coaching began when he joined the Mallee Eagles FC as a playing coach in 2010, followed by Monbulk FC as a playing coach in 2013.

Ward has led, mentored, coached, and developed not only juniors, but senior semi-professional athletes and aspiring AFL players across every stage of their football journey.

“My strength lies not just in developing the player, but in understanding the person. Coaching for me has never been about one dimension; it is about unlocking every facet of an individual’s character and performance, knowing what makes them tick, and driving them to reach levels they didn’t know they were capable of,” says Ward.

Ward is currently the A-Grade Senior Coach for Old Haileybury Football Club. Over his eight years at Old Haileybury, he has taken them from C Grade through to A Grade, delivered multiple premierships, and embedded a culture of respect, resilience, and belief.

CEO Mark Wheeler stated,

"Following a rigorous interview process, we determined that Daniel was the most suitable candidate for the direction our club is pursuing as an independent club once more in the VFL. His background as a former premiership player, coupled with strong family and cultural values, distinguished Ward from a remarkable pool of applicants. Additionally, his extensive coaching experience with proven success, not only in player development but also in achieving multiple Premierships for Old Haileybury in the VAFA showed he is the right person to lead us to our next Premiership.”

Sandringham FC President Nick Johnstone spoke of the appointment,

“As a club, we are so excited to have Daniel join us as VFL Senior Coach of the Zebras. It was clear to me right from the start that he was the person for the job, with a great track record in our Bayside community and a hard edge coupled with experience at the highest level. Daniel will take our club, now a standalone, to a new level and as a club we will give him our unwavering support. It’s exciting times ahead.”

Ward is also a proud father of two daughters and local Bayside resident, and we are so excited to have him back at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.