BREAKING: The Tarneit Titans have just announced the appointment of James Foord as their new head coach for the upcoming 2026 Western Football League Division 2 season. This significant decision comes after a challenging 2025 season, where the Titans finished at the bottom of the league without a single victory.
Foord, who played for the Titans in their inaugural year in 2014, brings a wealth of high-level experience to the team. While former coach Max de Groot was contracted for next year, the Titans sought to explore their options and ultimately signed Foord on Friday night to lead the club’s rebuilding efforts.
The Titans expressed their enthusiasm about the hiring on social media, stating, “Throughout the selection process, James’ professionalism and drive stood out, while his strong high-performance background and extensive experience in elite football environments impressed from the start.”
Currently serving as the head of strength and conditioning at Loreto Toorak, Foord has also spent two years as the head of high performance and assistant coach at Ivanhoe Football Club. His credentials include a Master’s in Exercise Science and a role as the original managing director of the high-performance hub Melbourne Athletic.
Foord’s impressive career spans various roles in both AFL and AFLW, having served as a strength and conditioning coach for teams including North Melbourne, Gold Coast, and Essendon. From 2022 to 2023, he was the men’s strength and conditioning coach for Essendon, and he led high performance initiatives for Collingwood’s Victorian Football League academies in recent seasons.
The Titans are optimistic about Foord’s impact on their young roster. They stated, “With his charisma, experience, and fire in the belly, we are excited for what Foordy will bring to our young playing group for 2026 and beyond.”
As the Titans aim to rebound from their dismal performance last season, the club is focused on developing its young talent, which was a priority during the 2025 campaign. Fans are eager to see how Foord’s leadership will influence the team’s strategy and performance in the upcoming season.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Titans gear up for a fresh start under Coach Foord.
