volume 19 | august issue 2010

Latest Coaching Edge Overview Jimmy Bartel article — The ―Junior Coach‖ 2010 Coach of the Year Awards Coaching Seminar Overview The Sounds of Victory Look after your mates Training Drills AFL Community Club Resource Overview Eastern Girls are Footy Girls Accreditation Information Coaching Resources and Tools The third edition of the coaching edge (pictured left) is now available for download from the AFL website (www..com.au) under the coaching section.

The Coaching Edge is the new electronic coaching magazine and is a continuation of the well respected Coaching Update magazine which was first published in 1988 after the VFL assumed responsibility for football devel- opment across Victoria and formed the Aus- tralian Football Coaches Association Victorian branch.

This issue looks at fitness during mid-season, developing players‟ game sense, multicultural- ism in football, what makes an elite athlete, the impact of good kicking as well as inter- views with Chris Johnson and Shane O‟Bree. Enjoy!

Executive

Brett Fisher (President) | Shawn Wilkey (Executive Officer)

Committee

Stuart McLean | Graeme Hocking | John Myers | Mark Fisher

Brian Cartwright | Leeann Gill | Phil Gould

"It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute... that gives meaning to our lives." Anthony Robbins

Shawn Wilkey Executive Officer Tel: 9762 3843 | E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://easternranges.aflvic.com.au JIMMY BARTEL: From little things big things grow

Columnist Jimmy Bartel pays homage to the unsung heroes of Aussie Rules - the jun- ior coaches.

I STILL remember playing footy as a kid in the pouring rain at eight in the morning. A lot of those kids I ran around with, completely soaked on those cold mornings, are still my mates to- day. So many people have great memories of their junior football days, and the relationships that were formed in those years. I could go on for days about the amazing and time-consuming work that our coaches and football department do that makes us into the players we are at Gee- long.

But the players they get to work with when they're drafted into the club are the product of some unsung heroes of the football world - junior football coaches. It's the coach who sets the atmos- phere who can make it a positive experience. These wonderful people volunteer their time all because they love the game so much. They don't have to do it. They have families, work and many other life commitments. They would be tired during the week when they front up on those frosty nights to put some young chargers through their paces in the depths of winter.

I'm sure they would like to sleep in on a weekend, but instead they're getting up at the break of dawn to steer their budding young footballers to victory. Neil Lynch, Greg Riddle, Craig Stack, Brad Lee and John Bright are some of the names you might know around Geelong, but for eve- ryone else, these are the men I owe a great deal of gratitude to for teaching me the right way to play football, as well as being respectful off the field.

Never underestimate the role of a junior coach in any sport as a role model to young minds. I was very fortunate to not only have great coaches, but even better people to look up to. They taught me about playing football the right way - play the ball hard, train hard and work hard. They instill that old theory in you - the harder you work, the luckier you get. But even with all the junior coaches I had, it was still always about fun. I think that's really important for all kids and junior coaches to remember. It was as serious as it had to be, but it didn't go too far that you lost the enjoyment for it. Once you get into senior footy, it all becomes too serious, so junior coaches just need to let kids play and enjoy the game.

Sure, I learnt to play all positions, and to kick on both sides of the body, but it wasn't drilled into you in army-style, it was always a bit of fun. I think parents have their role to play in all of this, too. There's no point putting pressure on young kids. You've just got to let them develop, and let them want to play the game. You don't want them resenting the game because that will cause problems afterwards. Let them have fun with their mates and know that you don't have to be the best player or a future champion. If they've got mates around, you're much more likely to want to keep going.

I might be talking about experiences from my club, Bell Park, but every club in Geelong could rattle off a list of names of similar people who help keep their club ticking over. Every player should never forget where they've come from because that same club you ran out for when you were a youngster has always been proud to say that you are theirs.

Geelong Advertiser April 7th, 2010 Do you know any coaches out there that are doing a power of work at their local club and want to recognise their efforts?

Here is your chance to show your appreciation for your beloved volunteer coaches and nomi- nate then for the Eastern Region „Coach of the Year‟ Awards 2010.

These awards are all about recognising and rewarding the efforts of volunteer coaches by holding a night in their honour to say thank you and publicly acknowledge the tremendous work they do out there in the community.

You are invited to nominate Coaches from your respective Club or Auskick centre in the ap- propriate categories listed below.

The categories are: Auskick - Pre-club, 5-12 years. Junior - Primary school-aged children 7-12 years. Youth - Players 13 - 19 years. Senior - Open Age Competition Female – All categories

Winners will be announced at the Eastern Region Coach of the Year Awards Dinner to be held at Lilydale International, Lilydale on Monday 4 October 2010 (flyer on next page.

All nominees will get a complimentary invitation to the dinner.

Winners from the Eastern region awards dinner will be eligible to qualify for the State Final to be held at the AFCA (Victoria) Annual Dinner.

This is an important process in continuing to build the reputation and creditability of football coaching within the Eastern Region and your support in forwarding nominations is greatly appreciated.

Nomination forms can be accessed by emailing [email protected]

Nominations close Friday 17 September 2010:

If you have any queries please don‟t hesitate to contact Shawn Wilkey on 0418 543 698. EASTERN REGION COACHES ASSOCIATION

19th ANNUAL COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS

All coaches from across the Eastern Region are invited to the 19th Annual AFCA (Eastern Region) Coach of the Year Awards Dinner.

Come along and have a night out with the Eastern regions finest coaches and administrators.

The Awards Dinner will be held on:

Monday 4th October 2010

at the

Lilydale International

Special Guest Speakers:

To book a seat or table for this prestigious night please contact Shawn Wilkey for full details on 9762 3843 or via email [email protected] The Eastern Region Coaches Association in conjunction with AFL Victoria, the AFL Coaches Associa- tion and the Eastern Ranges Football Club held a number of free coaching seminars in 2010.

The first was the Eastern Ranges FC „Access All Areas‟ coaching seminar for coaches from across the Eastern region. Around 70 community coaches came along to observe the Under 18 TAC Cup team put through their paces, showcasing a number of game sense and skill orientated training techniques and activities.

Ranges Head Coach Darren Bewick was on hand to give an overview of the Eastern Ranges train- ing program, Regional Manager Anthony Parkin gave a talent ID overview with assistant coaches Andy Hayman and Mark Fisher and Fitness and Conditioning coach Matt Howley demonstrating a number of training drills and activities.

In a new agreement with the AFL Coaches Association we were able to gain access to assistant coaches from the and .

The Hawks provided a 2 part seminar series at their home base Waverley Park involving eight of their assistant coaches who were Adam Simpson, John Barker, Ross Smith, Rick Magowan, , David Rath, David Flood and Brendan Bolton.

The topics covered included; set plays, defensive skills, midfield tactics, training techniques, build- ing a winning culture, kicking technique and development, thinking skills and strategies and transi- tion from Under 18 to senior football.

The Bombers held a seminar at Club Kilsyth with presenta- tions from Ashley Prescott and Scott Camporeale, after Alan Richardson was a late withdrawal. The topics covered included; coaching structures, forward setups, backline defensive strategies and topical areas selected from the audience.

All seminars gave coaches a terrific insight into the world of AFL coaching and also the AFL guys were able to relate their knowledge and experience back to a community football level.

The Eastern Region Coaches Association would like to thank the Hawthorn FC, Essendon FC and Eastern Ranges FC for their efforts in hosting these coaching seminars in 2010, all at no cost and in the interests of improving community coaching across Victoria.

Have you the Moves to Coach an AFL team?

Do you see yourself as a Chef? Maybe a receptionist? Or even doing the muzzle! You probably al- ready have! The Championship Moves ‗real champs look out for their mates‘ campaign pro- motes a range of „moves‟ that could be used to keep your mates out of trouble when out on the town.

AFL Victoria has chosen to partner with the Victorian Government to promote the Championship Moves campaign to help the issue of alcohol-related violence. Throughout the football sea- son, AFL Victoria will undertake a variety of activities to help encourage young adult players (in particular the 18 – 24 age group) to look out for themselves and their mates both after the game and when they‟re out on the town.

Alcohol-related violence is a big issue affecting our communities, and particularly young people. The statistics reveal the prevalence of the problem, as an average year in Victoria will see 1500 assaults in licensed premises, 10 - 15,000 people apprehended for public drunkenness, 2000 as- saults involving young people affected by alcohol and 759 alcohol-related deaths.

Over the coming months, AFL coaches and AFL Victoria Development Managers will be making presentations to community coaches to request their support by taking these important messages back to players and club officials. Coaches are encouraged to get involved and with the support of the AFL Coaches Association through , ten opportunities to be an AFL coach for a day are being offered to community coaches. By doing a presentation at your club you can register for this fantastic opportunity to spend a day at an AFL club to further enhance your coaching knowledge and understanding of the game.

In as much, it is clear to see the misuse of alcohol is having a major impact on our society. Closer to home, this is also an issue that affects the AFL football community.

The Victorian Government is implementing a range of measures such as tougher liquor license regulations and increased bans and fines for disorderly behaviour and possession of weapons. Yet, what is really important is personal responsibility and how young adults react in potentially violent situations and this is the focus of the Championship Moves campaign. They are a series „moves‟ a mate can pull to keep his friend away from trouble. There‟s the move known as the „water boy‟ (giving a mate a bottle of water); the „muzzle‟ (cover your mate‟s mouth if he‟s shouting off at someone) and the „receptionist‟ (using a fake phone call to get him out of trouble)

In reality, there are plenty of moves – most of them not rocket science. But if a mate applies one of these tactics to avoid trouble – to avoid a fight – then he has done his mate a great favour.

If you would like to conduct a Championship Moves session at your club please contact Steve Teakel - AFLV Coaching Development Manager - [email protected] and provide your name, postal address, contact number, club name and age group we will send out a coaches infor- mation pack which includes a DVD and presentation notes.

A 15 minute presentation by you as the coach may be the difference – creating a team that looks after each other both on and off the field!

For more information on the campaign, visit championshipmoves.com.au Cross Road Catch

This month we provide a drill that focuses on kicking and marking with fatigue:

Requires: - 4+ players - 1 ball per two players - 4 markers

Aim: To get players to mark the ball on the run using their hands only. Also to encourage players to mark the ball out of their comfort zone by running at 80% intensity.

Kicking group kick the ball to marking group who take the mark in their hands at pace. After taking the mark they push through to the cone. After all markers have been through and pushed through to the cone the markers then become the kickers.

The group who were originally the markers become the kickers and kick the ball to the markers who take the mark in their hands at pace. Markers should again push through to the cone and they be- come the kicker again.

Keys: - Players need to work at high intensity to practice both kicking with fatigue and marking the ball in their hands at full pace whilst fatigued.

Variations: - Players to kick on both their left and right feet. - Players to kick on a certain foot depending on the colour of the football (eg. yellow = right, red = left) - Players to either take a hand mark or chest mark depending on the colour of the football (eg. yellow = chest mark, red = hand mark) The AFL‟s Community Development department have recognised the need for a world‟s best practice online community football destination with the development of www.aflcommunityclub.com.au. ADN IT”S TOTALLY FREE TO USE!!!!

The website provides information targeted at: Coaches Club Administrators Players Umpires and Umpire Coaches Volunteers

AFL Community Club also has a wide ranges of resources for coaches including: Training Drills Game sense activities Online lessons and development guides Downloadable information

Overview of Coaching Articles: fter coaching male foot- ball teams from under nines to under 16‟s at A club level for 9 years. Be- ing involved with the first EFL met- ropolitan under 14 championship team and being an assistant coach at senior men‟s level I was as igno- rant as the next footy coach as to female participation at the playing level.

(L – R 2010 All Australian Players: Steph Walding, Lou Wotton, Meg Hutchins)

It was not until I received a phone call from AFL Victoria and asked to coach the inaugural Victorian Under 18 youth girls team that I became aware of the level of participation, incredible standard of football being played by these female athletes and their knowledge and passion of and for footy. As I had pointed out to AFL Vic, I had not coached girls before I was sent a DVD of a youth girl‟s interleague match and sat down with my son, who I had coached over the years, to view it.

We could not believe the skills and standard of footy: - balance, effortless kicks on non pre- ferred side, one grab over head marks and obvious ability to read the play and get to the right spots. After coaching this team I commented many times, that there were girls who on pure football ability (forget about the strength aspect) could have easily have played in the under 16 boys team I coached. My son, who was one of those boys, whole heartily agreed with me.

Someone once commented to me ….” That if you have a great love and passion for something and you are good at it, regardless of your gender, do it, it is not to prove anything, it is just to do it…” The 80 thousand females, who play football every weekend, have embraced that message.

I have had the great honour of going on to coach the Victorian Senior Country, Victorian Sen- ior State and All Australian women‟s football teams and coach the East Burwood Devils at club level in the Victorian Women‟s Football League. I continue to be amazed at the standard of football played by these women. Many spectators come to a match for the „novelty‟ aspect and maybe expect a „kick and giggle‟, all go away talking about the skill level and the hardness of the football that is played.

As coaches we have a responsibility to provide female footballers with the same development opportunities and standard of coaching as their male counterparts. The pathway for them (except for being drafted) is exactly the same: - auskick, junior, youth, senior, local rep, school girl rep, state and All Australian. Females now see football as their number one chosen sport and participate with the same passion and vigour as males. Fortunately this has been recognized and meas- ures put in place to recognize not only the growing numbers of females playing football but that they are playing a legitimate sport and take it as seriously as the men.

(Pictured above – Leeann Gill addressing young female footballers at a recent Female Super Clinic)

Facts you may not know about female football:

There are 22 clubs that participate within the Victorian Women‟s Football League competing in South East, North West and Premier divisions. Premier division clubs field reserves and senior teams and participate on Sunday after noons. This is underpinned by a 30 team Youth Girls (13 – 18 yrs) competition run in metropolitan and country regions who play at central venues on Saturday morning. The VWFL (seniors) and AFL Vic (youth Girls) have talented player academies. AFL Vic youth girls rep sides compete along side their male counterparts dur- ing the metropolitan championships. There are State under 16 school girls, under 18 youth girls and senior Victorian representative teams. At the end of the biannual senior national championships and All Australian team is announced. 2010 saw 40 elite female footballers participate in the inaugural AFL women‟s high performance academy and play the curtain raiser to the Melbourne/ Collingwood queens‟ birthday match.

Eastern Region:

2 premier division clubs and 2 SE division club 6 team youth girls competition run at central venue at Lewis road on Saturday morning 2009/10 produced 4 All Australian players, including capt and VC, 2 under 16 state, 6 senior State and 4 under 18 state , including capt, players. AFL Vic in conjunction with All Australian players ran the first ever AFL Vic girls super clinic and joined AFL players at various auskick clinics. The purpose of the Australian Football Coaches Association (AFCA) is to:

 Support, develop and promote an extensive coach education program to enable all coaches to achieve a minimum Level One Accreditation under the guidelines of the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme;

 Enhance the professional recognition of coaches by the public, media and football administration;

 Coordinate the development and maintenance of a coaches register at all levels of Australian football;

 Act as a reference point for the clubs seeking coaching information for distribution through recognised coaching branches;

Support the professional development of all coaches through the provision of regular coaching seminars, confer- ences, coaching e-newsletters and a range of resources to develop the coaching throughout Australia.

The AFCA also provides its members with:

Level One Re-accreditation Eligibility Level One coaching accreditation expires after four years. If you are actively coaching and have been a member of AFCA over a four year period this automatically makes you eligible for Re-accreditation. Once Re-accredited you will receive a new four-year accreditation of Level 1, 2 or 3.

National Coaching Resources E-newsletters are distributed monthly during the season offering a wide variety of information including articles on coaching, Victorian and National information (meetings, special topic courses, annual conferences, etc.) Members have the opportunity to submit articles for publication. Advertisements provide information on equipment, books, videos and football programs.

Regional Coaching Newsletters 2 issues are produced regionally each year offers articles on coaching, skill development, motivation, drills, all with a local flavour. Members are encouraged to submit articles, drills and skills for publication.

Coach of the Year Awards Each year all AFCA members are eligible to be nominated for Coach of the Year awards in Auskick, Junior, Youth, Senior and Female categories for the Eastern Region. Each year a Coach of the Year Gala dinner is held and suc- cessful coaches are eligible for State Coaching Awards. The Victorian Branch of AFCA selects outstanding individuals for his or her dedication and service to the sport of Australian Rules Football in the categories of Auskick, Junior, Youth, Senior and Female levels.

Coach Education An accredited program of coach education courses is provided to all coaches. Level One coach education programs offer an introduction to coaching – role of the coach, planning training sessions, organisation, skills and drills, fitness for football, etc. These courses are aged group specific, tailored to the needs of the coaches and players they are coaching. As the coach continues to develop his or her coaching, Level 2 and 3 courses are conducted to advance their coaching knowledge.

Coach Education Program A variety of seminars and workshops are provided on a regional basis to continue the updating of coaches knowl- edge and understanding of new developments in the game of Australian Rules. These are facilitated by AFL Assis- tant Coaches and Regional Talent Squads including the Eastern Ranges FC.

Coaches Information and Resource Centre Access to a coaching video and book library is available to all members. Information and advice is also available on current resources and equipment.

For more information please contact Shawn Wilkey (details inside cover). Accredited Coaches can continue their accreditation status by complying with and completing a Re- accreditation Application Forms/Policy which, if successful, permits the coach to an extended four year ac- creditation period without attending another coaching Accreditation Course and the associated cost and time.

The AFL will inform the coach on the impending expiry of his/her accreditation period. Coaches are then en- couraged to make sure they reaccredited 6 month prior to the expiry of there current accreditation period, no guarantees for re accreditation can be made to coaches who do not comply with this Policy.

UPDATING POLICY As part of the Australian Coaching Council (ACC) Accreditation Scheme, Australian Football has developed an Updating Policy which will guide you in maintaining your status as an Accredited Coach with the AFL, and thus remaining listed on the National AFL Register.

THE PROCEDURE When you receive your AFL Accreditation Certificate after completing a course, the “update clock” starts. This is indicated by adding four years from the due date shown on your certificate. Basically, the Updating Policy requires you to complete a variety of activities over a four year period which will earn the right to re- main accredited by extending the date a further 4 years.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT UPDATE? Coaches who do not complete the Updating requirements as specified by their National Sporting Organisa- tion, in Australian Football‟s case the Australian Football League (AFL), are removed for the AFL‟s active coach register and considered to be non accredited. This may also contravene many local leagues‟ Coach Registration Policies.

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL REQUIREMENTS The onus is on you to maintain your accreditation and to keep records in a “log book”. During the four year period, you will be required to: - Be a member of the Australian Football Coaches Association (AFCA) – Ac- tively coaching a team (verified by a club official on club letterhead) for the 4 year period

PROCESS OF RE-ACCREDITATION If you are currently coaching and accredited at Level 1, as an AFCA member you are eligible for re- accreditation. Re-accreditation enables the coach to a further four years accreditation without attending an- other Level 1 coaching course conducted by AFL Victoria. Re-accreditation will only be awarded to coaches who meet the requirements outlined earlier under „Australian Football Requirements”. Coaches who believe they meet the criteria set for re-accreditation should contact their regional AFCA branch seeking a „Re- accreditation Application Form‟ within one month of expiry of their current accreditation. After completing the „Reaccreditation Application Form‟, coaches should return it with registration fee to their regional AFCA branch where it will be assessed and notification of successful application or otherwise will be then for- warded back to the applicant. The requirements for Level 2 (Youth/Senior), Auskick Leader or Level 3 coaches are a little more involved as outlined previously and are monitored and deliberated on by the State Director of Coaching and the regional AFCA branch representative. If you are a Non-Current coach, you should contact your nearest AFCA branch to discuss this matter further.

To download a Re-accreditation Form please go to the coaching section of the Eastern Ranges website www.easternranges.aflvic.com.au or call Shawn Wilkey ([email protected]).

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