Issue 3 December 2007

Central EastEast————OakleighOakleigh Region AFCA Coach of the Year 2007

All the info and stars of the evening can be seen on pages 3-7 Oakleigh AFCA welcomes Airfour Air Condition- ing and Mechanical Services. as a new major spon- sor. See pg 14 for more details

"Cities, Altius, Fortius"

(Faster, Higher, Stronger) PAGE 2

Oakleigh AFCA Committee President: Geoff Sutherland Committee: Peter Barnes Brian Sampson Peter Gilson Jeff Patterson

In This Issue

• AFCA Committee • Working with Children Check • Oakleigh Physical testing services are being offered by Functional Region & State COTY AFCA Sports Conditioning to your club Awards Our company has portable electronic testing equipment that • Speed Technique 2 will accurately test speed and agility. We have also just pur- • AFCA chased equipment that will enable us to test vertical jump. membership and renewal Testing of this type allows your club to record and track the • Drills progress of each player as they develop through the years. It • Sponsor also allows the player to focus and improve in this area if it is • How to Play Australian seen to be a weakness. Football I am offering clubs in the Oakleigh region an opportunity to use • Train Smart DVD our testing services for a special price of $200. This will see us • Oakleigh test 5, 10 and 20m speed and vertical jump. Region Development This offer is available until April 2008. Managers Report 2007 We also offer consultancy services in the strength and conditioning area including pre and in • 2008 Coaching season programs. Courses If you don't test then you cant measure!

Phone Brendan Henderson: 0409 030 281 Email: [email protected] Web: www.functionalsports.com.au PAGE 3

See page 15 for more details

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. Pierre de Coubertin PAGE 4 PAGE 4 Central EastEast————OakleighOakleigh Region AFCA & State Coach of the Year Awards

Over 230 people enjoyed a terrific evening at the combined Oakleigh & Northern AFCA (Australian Foot- ball Coaches Association) Coach of the Year awards at the Manningham Club Bulleen.

Winners in the following categories for the Oakleigh Region were: YOUTH – Tim Smith Blackburn F.C JUNIOR – John Gilbert East Malvern JFC AUSKICK – Bernard Cunningham Templestowe Park Primary School. FEMALE – Tricia Godfree Mt Waverley Auskick

To present awards were:

Keith Burns Auskick category, Anton Grbac Junior category, Youth category, Rick Irwin Fe- male category and John McLoughlin recognition of contribution to football in the Oakleigh region.

RECOGNITION OF CONTRIBUTION TO FOOTBALL IN THE OAKLEIGH REGION: - Mr Bruce Fox WJFA

Congratulations to the winners who qualified to be considered to be short listed for the State Coach of the Year awards in their respective categories. All present were entertained by the guest speaker Mr (CEO AFL Victoria) who enlightened the audience with his light-hearted address to the function, reminiscing about his own playing days at Hawthorn, the coaching styles of the distinguished coaches he played under. Some funny football tales, his true love of the game, and his love of kids enjoying the sport.

Peter also spoke about his own coaching career and subsequent experiences, finishing with some reflec- tions on the joy he feels in taking the field with his son at the local Auskick.

Playing 171 games for Hawthorn from 1980 to 1991, including three Premierships, Peter moved straight from playing into coaching. Assistant Coach at Richmond from 1992-94 then Hawthorn 1995-97, he changed direction to become AFL Director of Umpiring from1998 – 2000.

The opportunity to coach Hawthorn was too great to resist. Peter held that position from 2000 – 2004, experiencing the highs and lows that coaching at that level brings.

Peter Schwab was appointed Chairman of the AFL Match Review Panel in 2006. He is currently CEO of AFL Victoria.

“I miss coaching”, Peter said. “When my playing career was over, coaching was as close as I could get to playing”.

He said he was speaking from the heart tonight about coaching, quoting John Wootten - a famous US Coach of the UCLA Basketball team, who took his players on to win ten National College Basketball Championships. “Coaching is a privilege, obligation, responsibility - not to be taken lightly”. Having said that, Peter said that coaching at the highest level did not confer any experience coaching young kids. What it did do was provide him with an opportunity to impart his love of the game and knowledge to the players he has coached. PAGE 5 PAGE 5

Female category nominees: Lucy Butler and Tricia Godfree (winner) with Re- gional Development Manager Rick Irwin

Recognition of Contribution to football in the Northern Region: David Boyd and Cen- tral East Oakleigh Region: Bruce Fox with past WJFA President John McLoughlin

Auskick category nominees Kieren Dunleavy, Andrew Oxley, Winner Bernard Cun- ningham (centre), Lucy Butler and Tricia Godfree PAGE 6

Peter referred to his recent involvement in the selection process for the new coach of AFL club Melbourne. He said he was doing this, not to provide inside information but rather to explain how the selection process caused him to identify what was the core values required of a Head Coach. “These core values were Empa- thy with his players, Integrity - respect for others, being consistent in your behaviour to others and Resil- ience”.

Harking back to his own playing career, Peter spoke of the coaches he had played under at Hawthorn. “Alan Jeans had a marvellous ability to motivate you”, he said. In 1983 Peter was running down the race about to play in a Final against North Melbourne, with Andrew Demetriou as his direct opponent.

Jeans said to him “Son, get it into your head you are not a good player”. Naturally Peter entered the playing field with one thought on his mind “I’ll show you”!

Peter then spoke directly to the assembled coaches about their role. “Kids love their footy. They love to know where they are playing. Make sure each kid knows the position he is playing”.

He said, “Don’t get frustrated at what spectators yell out at your kids”. At half-time at his son’s match, Pe- ter went up to a parent who was yelling out at the players and asked him why he was mouthing off. “They’re not having a go. "Not going in for the ball", the man said. Peter asked him what he should say to teach them. “What do you mean?” the man said. “Well you might say to stay on the line of the ball. Put your head down and pick the ball up”, said Peter.

Well the man still kept yelling out rubbish all through the second half. “Some people are idiots”, Peter said.

Having retired as a player at 31 and loved imparting knowledge to his players through coaching in a high- pressure job as an AFL Coach, Peter acknowledged that at 46 years of age he still hadn’t got the urge to coach out of his system. “I may still get on the bike – I’ve got a couple of young boys. So you never know”, he said.

Thankyou to all Leagues, Clubs, Auskick centres, coaches and partners who supported this successful event. State Coach of the Year Awards

The "invisible force" behind football teams - the coaches -were recognised at a special Australian Football Coaches Association Victoria function at the MCG recently.

In their 20th year, 270 guests attended the November 9 awards, which honoured coaches from the grass roots through to the elite level.

The night's award winners were:

Auskick: Greg Robinson (Sale City Auskick) Junior: Peter Linton (Yinnar Junior Football Club) Youth: Steven Ball (Moonee Valley Football Club) Senior: Mark Hustwaite (Rosebud Football Club) Female: Carol Jeans (Cheltenham Panthers) TAC Cup: Chris Maple (North Ballarat Rebels)

The inaugural Lifetime Achievement in Community Coaching Award was also presented to Victorian football coaching legend Ray CarrollCarroll. Carroll, in his 50th year at Assumption College, coached a staggering 32 teams to flags in football and cricket. Under his tutelage, AFL footballers such as , and emerged. PAGE 7

“This is a complete surprise and a tremendous honour,” Carroll said. The award sits along side Carroll's Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and his Order of Australia in 1993. “The wins are claimed by 100s and 1,000s but a loss is blamed on the coach," he said. “The highs far outweigh the lows."

An emotional Peter Linton stirred the hearts of the audience when he accepted his Junior Coach of the Year Award.

“I promised my wife I would not cry,” Linton said. "I am a bit of a softie". “You have got no idea how happy I am." Linton said he enjoyed coaching juniors. “I would always coach little kids because they are the only ones who listen to me!” he said. “Footy is only 20 per cent of why I do it”. "I can teach young kids all the really important things in life". “I like to see boys become men."

Greg Robinson said he got more of a buzz than the children during Auskick grid games at half-time of AFL matches. “I would like to thank the kids…if it wasn’t for the kids I don’t think any of us (coaches) would be here tonight,” Robinson said. “I am sure we will see a lot of kids pass through Auskick who then go on to play AFL.”

North Ballarat coach Chris Maple humbly focused on the "coaching team" and his players rather than his own individual performance. “As a coach you are only as good as your support staff,” the TAC Cup Coach of the Year said. “At the Rebels I have the best in the competition.”

Senior Coach of the Year Mark Hustwaite, whose Rosebud Football Club side claimed this year's flag, was also complimentary of his troops. “This year was probably the year that I did the least amount of coaching,” Hustwaite said. “We were driven by a couple of pretty low years. It’s not always about win- ning premierships…we are now getting back on our feet.”

Youth Coach of the Year Steven Ball said his players were excellent "self-managers" while Female Coach of the Year winner Carol Jeans had the ultimate mentor in "super-coach" Allan Jeans. Carol is Allan's daughter-in-law.

Earlier, AFCA president had said the group continued to go from strength to strength.

Alves said AFCA now had 5,040 members and in 2007, 2,150 people became accredited coaches. Other highlights included the release of the Train Smart DVD and roll out of new tertiary coaching courses.

“Tonight is sensational because it represents 20 years as a group,” he said. “It’s sensational the amount of time and effort that is put in...The result of things that come out of it is heart warming. “Coaching is about taking young men and coaching to get the best results. We have fantastic coaches at all levels.”

AFL Victoria CEO Peter Schwab commended AFCA on reaching its 20th anniversary.

The former Hawthorn premiership player and coach said the role of today's coach was broader than just football and cited the personal development of players as paramount.

“If everybody you coach walks away and says you have developed them as a footballer and a person you have done your job,” he said.

A panel consisting of former AFL coaches Neale Daniher, and and community coaches Ian Herben, Karen Kent and Mike McArthur-Allan debated the topic “Is coaching practice in the AFL good for community football ?” PAGE 8

SPEED TECHNIQUE

PART TWO: Working with different ages and how to structure a speed and agility session. Brendan Henderson: (B.App.Sci ––– Human Movement) Director: Functional Sports Conditioning.

Introduction: Now that you have an understanding of what to look for when training your players, we can move on to how to structure a speed and agility session according to the age group you coach. Below is based on a few years of experience, which has enabled me to let you know what works. If in doubt about any of the below, please feel to contact me to discuss.

When should I conduct speed and agility sessions with my group? This question can be answered in a few ways depending on how you structure your preseason training program. Below are basic guidelines to follow. Obvious differences exist, such as age, training age of player/squad, how often the team trains and if players have had previous injuries or a proper preseason conditioning base. A lot to think about, but hopefully it will provide you with a platform to develop and implement a speed and agility training session. Age Groups: Basic Guidelines for coaches Under 10’s to 12’s 10-15mins total session Technique focus Games/Relays and use of balls Emphasis to make session fun Under 13 & 14’s 15minutes total session Technique focus – acceleration (5 and 10m sprints) Basic and intermediate speed drills – changes of direction within drills Use of equipment – ladders, cones Agility drills to include all planes of movement Side, front, back drills to help multi-skill the player Under 15’s to 18’s Up to 30minutes per session As per 13’s & 14’s Can incorporate balls into drills but be weary of this – don’t want to take away the qual- ity of the movement/s being performed Seniors Up to 45 minutes per session As per above with drill selection Can also look at low level plyometrics component within session structure PAGE 9

SPEED TECHNIQUE cont.

Six weeks is required for players to get some type of training effect: This six week block should be conducted prior to the season start and should include scheduled practice matches. Conduct two sessions a week if possible, this tends to provide a more comprehensive training effect compared to only one session per week. In order to maintain the physical attributes that have been developed during the pre-season period, it is suggested that you try and schedule one speed session per week during the competition period. Due to the high level of residual fatigue developed throughout the sea- son, it is recommended that a single speed training session not exceed 25 minutes (including warm-up) when in season unless a player is returning from injury.

Speed and agility is best done at the start of any training session: Speed and Agility should be undertaken at the start of a session due to the high intensity nature that it needs to be performed at and muscle recruitment required. Ensure a proper dynamic warm up is con- ducted prior to session start; this should take about 8-10minutes.

Ensure adequate rest – 3 minutes between each drill: The body needs to replenish it anaerobic energy stores (ATP-CP) and this process can take the body up to 3 minutes. Getting the players to walk back once they finish the drill will also allow the players to recover part of their stores in this time.

Groups: From my experience, groups of 8 work well as it allows for technical feedback and observation from the coach as to who is working hard within the session. When the whole team is undertaking such a session, the use of 4-6stations with players rotating through each one is a good way to ensure that everyone is working. If this is the case then getting the players to do 1 set of 6 reps on each station, building up to 1 set of 10 reps at week 5, before dropping back down to 1 set of 6 reps in week six. Again, give the players 2-3 minutes rest between each station.

Conclusion: The above has given you a basic outline of how to structure a speed and agility session according to the age group you coach. Yes there is a bit to think about, however, players will get gains out of these sessions if you follow the above simple guidelines. These sessions are a great way for players to gain fitness, learn new skills and of course have some fun in the process of developing themselves physically.

PAGE 10

Oakleigh Region AFCA

Invoice: AFCA Membership 1st July 2007-30th June 2008

Invoice Date: June 2007

Bill to: 2006/07 AFCA Member

Description QTY Total AFCA Member. 2007/08 1 $25.00

Please complete the form on page 9 and send with payment.

It is most important that when you complete the form opposite you in- clude your email addressaddress, if you have one. It is much quicker and easier to send AFCA newsletters via this method, so please help us by providing your email address. Your assistance here is greatly appreciated.

Please make cheques payable to VFDF

RememberRemember: To be eligible for reaccreditation at the end of your four year coaching period, you must have been a AFCA member for each of those four years.

Oakleigh Region AFCA Phone: 95630588 PO Box 2047 Fax: 95630788 Oakleigh, 3166 Email: [email protected] PAGE 11

AFCA RENEWAL/MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Membership 1 st July 2007 – 30 th June 2008 TAX INVOICE: ABN: 35443609723

AFL Level One (Circle appropriate Membership Category) Club Football: Auskick: Senior Youth Junior School: Administration: Other: Primary Secondary Tertiary

LAST NAME: ………………………………. FIRST NAME: …………………………..

DATE OF BIRTH …../……/……. ADDRESS: ………………………………………………..

CITY: …………………………………STATE: ………………..POSTCODE: …………….

Contact number:…………………………… email:……………………………………….. HAVE YOU BEEN A PREVIOUS AFCA MEMBER: Y/N LAST YEAR A MEMBER: ______Please fill in this section FOR CURRENT COACHING PLACEMENT CLUB, SCHOOL, AUSKICK Club: ______League: ______

School: ______Association:______

Auskick: ______Region:

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS 1 YEAR Covers the 2007 - 2008 period ($25)

Please Make Cheque Payable To: “VFDF” C/O Rick Irwin P.O. Box 2047 Oakleigh, 3166

Conditions of entry : THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED ON THIS FORM WILL BE USED BY THE AFL AND FOOTBALL VICTORIA FOR RECORD KEEPING AND MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. APPLICANT MUST CONSENT TO A POLICE CHECK BY FOOTBALL VICTORIA (FV) AND THE SIGNING OF THE AFL CODE OF CODUCT AS A CONDITION OF AAC-C-C-C- CEPTANCE AND CONTINUANCE OF ACCREDITATAION AND THEN FV RESERVE THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW ACCREDITATION WHEN INFORMATION COMES TO FV’S NOTICE. THE APPLICANT HAS THE RIGHT TO ACCESS ALL RECORDS KEPT BY FOOTBALL VICTORIA ON THE APPLICANT BY CONTACTING Football Victoria Development, GPO Box 4337, Melbourne 3001 or PHONE 8663 3009

AFCA BENEFITS: 1. Three Coaching Update Journals/ Membership Year 2. Access to regionally conducted Coach Education Courses 3. Automatic Qualification to Coach of the Year Awards 4. Access to Regional Coaching Resource Centres 5. Regional Coaching Newsletters 6. Access to regionally conducted Seminars/Workshops Note: Ongoing AFCA membership is a requirement of Re accreditation PAGE 12 PAGE 13 PAGE 14

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Airfour are mainly a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer, however they also offer a wide variety of other major air conditioning brands including Daikin, Fujitsu, and Temperzone products.

Airfour provides a range of services including packaged air conditioning, refrigera- tion, air balancing, boilers, design and installation, plumbing and electrical ser- vices, water treatment and testing and much more.

Sales members, Mike Thomson and Malcolm Bell have a combined 50 years of ex- perience within the industry and along with the rest of the staff, are extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to their work.

Airfour air conditioning is open Monday –Friday between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm at Unit 1, 889-891 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully (next to Beaurepaires) on 9758 2177, and you can also use this number to contact our Service Department staff Sue or Kara for all your air conditioning/refrigeration service and preventative maintenance needs. PAGE 15

How to Play Australian Football by

Train Smart DVD Now available to purchase for $20 pick up at office or $23 posted

Provides assistance with prepar- ing and conducting safe and ef- fective practice sessions. Topics covered: • Warm up/Cool down stretches • Warm Ups • Ball Handling • Game Sense • Extended Drills • Full Ground Drills

Call 95630588 for your copy PAGE 16

Development Manager’s Report 20072007————OakleighOakleigh Region

Introduction

Firstly may I thank the many networks of people who assisted in developing the game in the Oakleigh Region this year, especially the role played by the respective leagues in our region from the Waverley Junior Football Association (WJFA), the Yarra Junior Football League (YJFL), the Eastern Football League (EFL), the Southern Football League (SFL) and the Victorian Amateurs Football Association (VAFA). A big thank you to those key people who contribute so much to programs we run in the region with special mention to the Oakleigh region AFCA committee and our regions Auskick district managers. To all Coordinators at our 44 Auskick centres within the region you all are to be congratulated on your magnificent contributions. To my key networks at both Primary and Secondary schools, Auskick and Coach Education with a special mention to Neil Butler for his professionalism as course coordinator. To Richmond F.C & Kangaroos F.C for the delivery of AFL player visits which included Primary School, Secondary, Auskick and Junior Club visits and special events, this is an integral program for football development. Finally to all AFCA members who are predominately coaches in our region you all play such an important role to the children in our region, please never under estimate the importance of your role and if coached well, the positive difference you can make to children’s lives. All volunteers continued support again has enabled another successful year in Development for this Region. The central east region is full of passionate people who love our game and our region is full of many volunteers who contribute hundreds of hours each year to ensure quality programs and environments, which enhances participation and continuation of our great game.

AFL Auskick 2007 was another huge year in the AFL Auskick program. The Oakleigh Regions total registrations increased in 2007 by 187 participants. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following District Managers for all their hard work throughout the year, support to myself and exemplary contributions you all have made to our Auskick centres within our region. Dominic Ciccone, Craig Waldon, Robin Clifton-Bligh, Patrick Murphy, Donald Smith, Bill Paterson and Brian Raby (Auskick Rules and Grid Games Coordinator), with special mention to Robyn Clifton-Bligh who is moving on due to an exciting work placement in Jakarta with her family. We all wish you all the best and thankyou for your contribution to Auskick in the central east region. I would also like to thank Russell Humphrey and Martin Giles for their assistance and organisation at the and Kangaroos Football Club Auskick Super Clinics. These nine people all contribute and assist with the smooth running of the Auskick program around the region and are a valued part of the entire Auskick program.

Finally on the Auskick front, we had Patrick Murphy nominated for State District Manager of the Year and Craig Waldon (Templestowe Park Auskick) was nominated as State Auskick Coordinator of the Year. It was very exciting for all involved with the central east region and with approximately 100 District Managers in Victoria; it was an outstanding effort for Patrick to be awarded the State District Manager of the Year.

In 2005 Andrew O’Kane (Hawthorn Auskick) won the State Coordinator of the Year award, In 2004 Brian Raby won the State District Manager of the Year Award and in 2003 Wayne Slattery (Templestowe Park PS Auskick) won the State Coordinator of the Year Award. In 2003 Neil Butler also from Templestowe Park Primary School, was runner up in the Auskick State Coach of the Year Award and in 2004 Donald Smith from Mt. Waverley Auskick was also runner up in the same award. Our region is proving to be exemplary in Auskick. Once again thanks to all the volunteers who contribute so much of their time to make this possible. AFL Player Appearances

This year our region had the pleasure of working with Richmond Football Club and Kangaroos Football Club for the AFL Player Appearances. As part of the new AFL Collective Bargaining agreement, players from RFC and KFC, which service the municipalities in the central east region, undertake visits in Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Junior Clubs, Auskick centre ambassador days and both clubs run an Auskick Superclinic at their home ground. 3,204 Primary School children and 505 Secondary School students, 1150 Junior footballers from a total of 46 teams and 4618 participants from 44 Auskick centres were visited by a RFC or KFC AFL Players as part of the Auskick ambassador program and 525 kids participated in the super clinics, taking the total to 10,002 children benefiting from the AFL Player visits in the central east region. PAGE 17

A special thanks to Stevie Dellamarta, Dale Weightman (RFC), and Matt Harrington (KFC) and to all listed players from both Clubs who conducted their visits so professionally and enthusiastically. To the Oakleigh Chargers players who assisted me with special clinics, I appreciate your continued support. These clinics are an experience that not only the children but also parents, teachers and coaches will remember for a long time to come and they are a great tool for the kids to not only participate in our game but also most importantly interact with their idols.

Secondary School Football Competition

The MCC Herald Sun Shield is an elite 17 team competition. Three schools from the central east region participated in this competition including Marcellin College, Mazenod College and Box Hill Senior Secondary College. A special mention must go to the Box Hill SSC for winning the Senior VSSSA State final which was played as a curtain raiser at the MCG.

AFCA Committee

In 2007 we saw the recently formed AFCA committee of management team hard at work and were able to secure the major sponsorship of Airfour Air ConditioningConditioning.Conditioning The committee in 2007 consisted of: Geoff Sutherland (President), Peter Barnes, Peter Gilson, Jeff Patterson, Brian Sampson and Phil Pantano who recently had to stand down due to too many other football commitments. May I sincerely thank Phil for his time and contribution, and also welcome Jeff Patterson who has replaced Phil on the AFCA committee. All of these gentlemen have extensive experiences as coaches and administrators at the grass roots level and are a valuable asset to the central east region AFCA programs.

Coach Education

In 2007 the Oakleigh Region conducted three Level One Coaching Courses which included a: Level One Youth, Level One Junior and a Level One Auskick course. 73 coaches attended the Auskick course with 63 gaining their Level One accreditation (86% successful), while 94 coaches attended the junior course with 72 being accredited (77%) and 72 undertaking the Youth course with 60 gaining accreditation. (83%).

District Managers also conducted 21 Level O’s at Auskick Centres within our region, with 364 coaches participating. May I express a special thank you to Patrick Murphy for once again coordinating these vital level O courses out at Auskick land.

A big thanks to all the presenters, local leagues, clubs and Auskick centres that supported our coaching accreditation programs as this is a vital and important area of football.

In 2006 and 2007 we have been fortunate enough to secure the professional services of Neil Butler as course convenor for our level one coaching accreditation courses. Neil is an ex regional state coach of the year award winner and has vast experience at Auskick and Junior Club level. May I take this opportunity to thank Neil for his professionalism and excellent contribution to all coach education level one accreditation courses and give appreciation to all presenters, local leagues, clubs and Auskick centres that supported our coaching accreditation programs as this is a vital and important area of football.

AFCA Members

Once again the central east region’s AFCA member numbers continued to grow to see the region break through the 500 barrier. With coaches often only coaching for one or two years, it is always a challenge to keep those coaches as AFCA members. After a concerted effort to increase the regions retention rate over the last few years it is pleasing to see our figures continued to follow the trend of obtaining our members and have 41. 31% of last year’s members renewing their membership. There are numerous benefits to coaches being members such as: 3 state coaching updates & 3 regional coaching newsletters, 2 coaching seminars, eligible for region & state COTY awards, reaccreditation eligibility to renew level one coaching accreditation for a further 4 years upon expiry of level one to name a few. PAGE 18

Coach of the Year Awards

The AFCA Coach of the Year dinner was held in conjunction with the Northern Knights at the Manningham Club. Special Guest speaker was Peter Schwab, CEO of Football Victoria. Many thanks to Keith Burns, Anton Grbac, Rohan Welsh and John McLaughlin for presenting awards to particular categories and to Phil Pantano for his professional job of MC for the night. This night continues to grow in status and popularity and it is terrific to see Clubs, Leagues and their coach’s support this awards night.

Congratulations to all nominees: Auskick Junior Justin Mori (Mt Waverley Auskick) John Gilbert (East Malvern JFC) Wes Gun (Mt Waverley Auskick) Bill Thiel (Greythorn JFC) Andrew Oxley (Mt Waverley Auskick) Richard Werle (Glen Waverley Hawks JFC) Mark Fusco (Mt Waverley Auskick) Kieren Dunleavy (Bellevue) Bernard Cunningham (Templestowe Park PS) Lucy Butler (Templestowe Park PS) Tricia Godfree (Mt Waverley Auskick) Youth Female Tim Smith (Blackburn FC) Lucy Butler (Templestowe Park PS) Danny Hehir (Hawthorn Citizens JFC) Tricia Godfree (Mt Waverley) Nick Edwards (Glen Waverley Rovers JFC) Bill Tyson (Camberwell Sharks JFC) Andrew Fabris (Bulleen Templestowe DJFL)

Congratulations to all the winners: Auskick: Bernard Cunningham (Templestowe Park Auskick) Youth: Tim Smith (Blackburn FC) Junior: John Gilbert (East Malvern JFC Female: Tricia Godfree (Mt Waverley)

All regions send the winners of each category to Head Office of Football Victoria as nominees for the State Coach of the Year awards. A panel then selects three nominees who are then eligible to win the State Coach of the Year award in each category. To be short listed to the top three in the state from 19 regional winners is an excellent achievement and this year we have Tricia Godfree – female category and John Gilbert – junior category flying the flag for the central east region on Friday November 9 th at the MCC dinning room.

I would like to thank Steve Conole, Regional Manager of the Oakleigh Chargers for his outstanding leadership and support and to his assistant Anna for her support. Also to my part time assistant Josh Collins for his professional support and the relationships he has built so professionally with all the volunteers within the central east region. Thank you to Jim Honey for his support, encouragement and interest in my role of development within the central east region. Once again thank you to all my networks at club, league, school and Auskick land, with special mention to my Auskick District Managers and AFCA committee who help support exciting, growing and demanding programs, that is important for the future of our game in the region. PAGE 19

Finally to all the talented pathway boys who make up the Oakleigh Chargers squads in the under 15, 16 and 18 age groups and all coaches and parents of these boys, it has been an absolute pleasure to work with you all when time has permitted around my region development programs.

NEW INITIATIVES 2007:

Holmesglen TAFE re VCAL football program: To assist Ben Jones and Holmesglen TAFE with VCAL football program.

Using Chargers facilities for training and class room sessions, use of Oakleigh Chargers coaches, expertise/ knowledge, training sessions, lectures, clinic training, culture, Recreational football training and facilitating with Sec Schools in region, assist in umpiring component. Also assist with TAC initiative L120 hours throughout Holmesglen campuses.

Also assisting in the program wherever my experiences can assist in developing the program.

Eastern Independent Catholic Primary School Football Association: Modified Rules for U10 & U12 Auskick Rules for Auskick participants in Oakleigh & Eastern region.

Assist wherever possible in conjunction with District Managers, coordinators, Eastern region & EICPSFA to support older Auskick children to participate in junior football matches under Auskick match rules.

Indigenous community exchange program: To bring Indigenous children from 8 remote Indigenous communities from the Northern Territory to Melbourne for a week exchange program billeted out to parents and coordinators of approx 6 Auskick centres in Oakleigh region to provide football activities/experiences for the week.

This program is to reward a selected group of kids that have shown enthusiasm and active participation into the Kick-Start program which is run by the AFL in the NT.

Also there is an initiative for used football boots and used footballs to be collected and exchanged through all Oakleigh region Auskick centres. NAB bank agreed to courier football boots and footballs up to the 8 remote islands.

Recreational football experience: A pilot program has taken place between the central east region and Holmesglen VCAL football program students to deliver Recreational footy to 5 Secondary Schools. Students have been trained to deliver the program with confidence and professionalism. This has been a tremendous initiative for all students involved.

Schools visited were: Kew HS, Hawthorn Sec, Wesley College and Camberwell HS on two separate occasions.

Multicultural special Auskick program. "The Three Towers program": In conjunction with Peter Romaniw AFL multicultural development manager & Nathan Lange project development officer Richmond F.C there has been an Auskick program for those children who cannot fit into the mainstream Auskick programs.

PAGE 20

The kids are made up from housing estates that live in Richmond, Collingwood & Fitzroy. An 11 week program will run from June 21st - August 30th. I have assisted and linked Robyn Clifton-Bligh District west of region to also assist Peter & Nathan.

Objective: To have children of multicultural backgrounds from “Housing Estates" who cannot attend mainstream Auskick centres to attend this special initiative/program at Punt Road. Approx 70 participants were involved with this initiative.

Auskick in Timorese: Assisted with early negotiations with an ex level one accredited coach from our region Corporal Adam Bourke who is in Timorese with the Aust. Army reserve as a military policeman to get Auskick up in Timor Leste.

Corporal Bourke approached local Schools & orphanages and spread the word and now thanks to the support of many people including Malvern Auskick who kindly donated some football gear it is up and running and it is also an opportunity to fundraise for the Mary McKillop foundation.

AFL international, Trevor Robertson etc were involved in gaining support for this program.

This initiative was obviously not hands on, but Adam arranged for the Oakleigh region for 3 years when he was based at the Army Barracks in Oakleigh South to conduct level one accreditation courses for no charge at the army barracks. After he left they were not interested in us using the facilities.

Adam was an ex Calder Cannon & Frankston ruckmen who completed a level one coaching accreditation course and was extremely keen on his football.

When he approached me I was keen to help out the best I could. Then once up and going the system took over and now this is a great story for Australian Rules.

Coaches seminar Lexus centre Swinburne College: Assisted Sheridan Nichol lecturer Swinburne College and James Butler student to conduct a coach’s seminar at lexus centre.

This initiative and objective was to deliver a value for money, but high quality coaches’ seminar open to all coaches at any level for all sports.

This seminar proved to be an enormous success as there were 150 coaches attended on a Friday which is of course a working day to most participants.

I was one of the guest speakers, my topic was: "Youth Characteristics & Motivators" and the feedback I have had from lots of coaches requesting notes from the session has been extremely positive.

“GO CHARGERS” --- RICK IRWIN - REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER—CENTRAL EAST REGION/OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

PAGE 21

A.F.C.A. (OAKLEIGH REGION)

LEVEL 1 COACHING COURSES, 2008

DATE/S GROUP VENUE CONTACT

th Wednesday 7 May, Auskick Oakleigh RSL & Oak- Rick Irwin th Wednesday 14 May leigh Chargers FC, 9563 0588 and Wednesday 11 th Drummond St, OAK- June 2008 LEIGH rd Wednesday 23 April, Junior Oakleigh RSL & Oak- Rick Irwin th Wednesday 30 April leigh Chargers FC, 9563 0588 and Wednesday 28 th Drummond St, OAK- May 2008 LEIGH

Saturday 12th April Youth Oakleigh RSL & Oak- Rick Irwin and Monday 12th May leigh Chargers FC, 9563 0588 2008 Drummond St, OAK- LEIGH

YOUTH: 13 - 19 Year Olds (AFCA Committee Member on roster 8.15am – 5pm Sat 12 th April, AFCA Committee Member on 8.15am – 12pm & AFCA Committee Member 5.30pm – 10pm Monday 12 th May)

JUNIOR: 9 - 12 Year Olds (AFCA Committee Member on roster for all 3 nights 5.30pm – 10pm)

AUSKICK: 5 - 12 Year Olds (AFCA Committee Member on roster for all 3 nights 5.30pm – 10pm)

NOTE:

All courses to be held at RSL in Oakleigh.

Night session’s registration at 6:00 pm for 6:30pm start – 9:45pm.

Day session’s registration at 8:45am for 9:30am start – 5:30pm. Oakleigh Chargers Football Club PO Box 2047 Oakleigh, 3166 Phone: 95630588 Fax: 95630788 Email: [email protected]

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For a great source of information and ongoing education, please visit the coaching section on the AFL website, www.afl.com.au ——— from the home page click on “Game Development” and you will find the “coaching” section. A very useful resource for coaches.

Sponsorship Opportunities This newsletter goes out to over 500 coaches/households in the Oakleigh Region three times a year. If you are interested in gaining extra exposure for your business then please contact Rick Irwin at the office on 95630588 or [email protected]

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. Noel Vincent Peale

This newsletter contains general information which should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional advice and only be used as a guide on issues. No responsibility can be accepted by Oakleigh Chargers or the authors for loss as a result of materials in this publication.