From the Armidale Express: “2025 revival: Nomads prepare for AFL North West”
Heath Forsyth
Updated March 19 2025 – 5:32pm, first published March 18 2025 – 3:27pm
Nomads President Adrian ‘Starry’ Walsh (pictured), along with new coach Ash Arkit will lead the Club’s 2025 charge towards another AFL North West premiership. Nomads President Adrian ‘Starry’ Walsh , along with new coach Ash Arkit will lead the Club’s 2025 charge towards another AFL North West premiership. New England Nomads President and club games record holder, Adrian ‘Starry’ Walsh is confident 2025 will be the year the club gets back to its winning ways.
The Nomads have been the most successful club in AFL North West history, however they were forced to sit out the 2024 season due to a lack of players.
“There was a series of unfortunate circumstances where a key number of players either left the club or retired,” said Walsh.
“I said at the time it would not be the end of the Nomads, we are a strong and proud club.
“We have a new coach for 2025 in Ashley Arkit, who is originally from Adelaide and played SAFL for the Port Adelaide Magpies.
“We also had a great turnout at the come and try event, held in February, with a lot of new faces, so I’m feeling pretty excited for the season.”
Arkit moved to Armidale three years ago with his family. His wife is originally from Armidale, and her connection to town was one of the big reasons for them moving to New England.
“We will begin training this week on Tuesday ahead of the season kick-off in early May.
“After the come and try day and also the lifesaver day we have attracted 10 to 12 completely new players.
“Certainly also trying to develop more of a social media presence and letting everyone in town or at UNE know the season proper is warming up and also to the past players as well who obviously missed out last year, we are hopeful as many of those players are again keen to play.
The Nomads have a history of turning over players due to being in part, a university-based club.
Some highlights of the 2025 fixture with the season beginning on May 3, where the Nomads take on the Tamworth Kangaroos include:
An Indigenous round will be played across rounds 3 and 4, and a pride round will be played in Round 8 on July 5.
There will be consecutive byes for the New England Nomads in rounds 5 and 6 due to the University of New England’s trimester break.
August 2 has been set aside as a catch-up weekend for any matches that may be postponed due to wet weather/ground closures, and Men’s and Women’s representative teams will play on June 28.
“There’s a compulsory bye for the competition within that trimester. The competition put that change in place so we don’t lose out on those 10 or 12 players at the one time which really helps and aids us in moving forward.”
Arkit said although his role is not yet in an official player/coach capacity, he was more than willing to put up his hand to play if the situation required.
“If need be, I could definitely put the boots on and probably do a couple of cameo roles for sure.”
He said the women’s team will reveal their coach to be Leighton Smith, who is putting together a series of skills sessions before the season starts for any players who may be looking to try the game out.
“She definitely fits the mould that we needed in terms of club leadership,” said Arkit.
Training for both the men’s and women’s teams is on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6 p.m.
