David Barlow joins Melbourne United coaching staff

Melbourne United legend David Barlow is set to join the club's coaching staff as an Assistant Coach for the NBL24 season.

Having suited up for the second-most games in club history (227), including its two Championships in 2018 and 2021, Barlow is excited to embrace the new challenge of helping lead the team from the coaches bench.

The 39-year-old touched on his feelings about joining Dean Vickerman’s staff.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to a new challenge but with the same goal of helping the team win a Championship this year and moving forward, and doing everything in my power to achieve that. I’m thankful to be able to continue to do that, albeit in a somewhat different capacity.

“Being an older player the last few years my approach to the game became more similar to perhaps the way a coach would see things so I’m stoked to have this opportunity.”

A five-time league Champion who has represented Australia on the international level, Barlow believes his journey as a player and relationships he forged throughout his career will only serve to help him as a coach.

“Everybody's journey is different. What I’ve done over my career is very helpful to what I’m doing now from my perspective,” he explained.

“I’m really happy and lucky to be in this environment where we have a bunch of brilliant people who I enjoy spending time with.

“I’ve been in the heat of battle with these guys, and there’s a certain relationship that you form with people you’ve been in the heat of battle with that can’t be replicated in any other way. While my role has changed, at the end of the day I can look at them and they can look at me when things are required to achieve our goals as a team.”

Barlow joins Dean Vickerman, Rhys Carter and Jacob Chance as United’s coaches heading into the NBL24 season.