Fitzroy has appointed a new Senior Assistant Coach with over 20 yearsexperience in district and VAFA Premier division football, not to mention a family connection with Fitzroy.

Bernie Carter, who played with the Carlton Under 19s in the late 80s, came to the VAFA via district football. He played for several years with Therry Penola at Oak Park, starting in 1990, and then later coached the Reserves. He was also Reserves assistant coach at Collegians in the Premier division for four years, assisting with the Seniors for one year.

Bernie says hes very excited about joining Fitzroy and really looking forward working with Senior Coach Nick Mitchell.

I bring a fair bit of experience in playing and coaching, but I just love footy and tactics. Hopefully I can also inject some new ideas and thoughts on the game plan but the priority is supporting Nick with what he needs to push for A grade./p>

Fitzroys 2014 best and fairest winner Matt Kyroussis is Bernies nephew, which should make the start at the club a bit easier. It helps to know someone and Ive also been down to Brunswick Street to watch Matt play a few times./p>

In his day job, Bernie is the branch manager of the Watsonia Commonwealth Bank.