Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
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Australia Simon Black is a former elite Australian rules footballer who transitioned into coaching and media roles after a highly decorated playing career.
LRF Sport are the current apparel partner to the Simon Black Australian Rules Academy.
The Simon Black Australian Rules Academy has signed on as a Pre-season sponsor for the Brisbane Lions.
The Bank of Queensland, Southport branch, is co-owned by Paul Smith and Simon Black; this indicates a corporate membership or partnership.
Simon Black acknowledged Kookaburra's support, mentioning them as an Aussie owned and operated business getting footy's on the park at all levels of the game.
AFL New Zealand has partnered with the Simon Black Academy in Australia to offer opportunities for New Zealand-born players in Australia to develop in AFL.
Simon Black was born on April 3, 1979, in Mount Isa, Queensland. He later moved to Western Australia with his family and played junior rugby union before dedicating himself to Australian rules football. Black joined the East Fremantle Football Club and represented Western Australia in the 1997 AFL Under-18 Championships, earning All-Australian honors. He was subsequently drafted by the Brisbane Lions with the 31st selection in the 1997 National Draft, making his senior debut in the first game of the 1998 season. He quickly established himself as a key midfielder known for his work rate and precise ball distribution, earning an AFL Rising Star Nomination in 1999.
Black’s career at the Brisbane Lions saw him become one of the game’s most celebrated players. He played a pivotal role in the Lions’ three consecutive premiership victories in 2001, 2002, and 2003, as part of the renowned ‘Fab Four’ midfield combination. His individual accolades include the 2002 Brownlow Medal, awarded to the league’s best and fairest player, and the 2003 Norm Smith Medal for his outstanding performance in the Grand Final, recording a career-best 39 possessions. He also received three Merrett–Murray Medals (2001, 2002, 2006) as the Brisbane Lions’ best and fairest player and was named in the All-Australian team three times (2001, 2002, 2004).
After retiring from playing in 2013 with 322 games to his name, Black transitioned into coaching. He served as an assistant coach for the Brisbane Lions, focusing on the team’s forward line and attacking systems. In 2016, he founded the Simon Black Australian Rules Academy, an educational and sports program for aspiring AFL players. In addition to his coaching and academy work, Black has also ventured into media, appearing as an AFL analyst for 10 News First Queensland and participating in the fourth season of Australian Survivor in 2019, where he finished in 7th place.
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