Gold Coast SUNS Talent Academy Newsletter
August 2012 No. 2
2011-2012 Gold Coast SUNS Talent Academy squads nearing the end….
With the 2012 AFL local seasons coming to an end for most players, it certainly dosen’t mean the Academy season finsihes.
Over the next two months Academy training will continue for the various squads, on the various nights, both in metro and regional What’s
Academy centres. inside:
At the end of these scheduled sessions there will be testing days where Page 1 Introduction current Academy players, as well as other identified (playing and non Page 2 Important dates AFL playing) athletes will be tested. This testing will then assist in the 2012 establishment of the Gold Coast SUNS Academy squads for the 2012- 2013 program. It is important that all current Academy players get to as Page 3 Women in the AFL many sessions as they can and contnue to improve. Page 4 Academy Carnival- Where players are going to make local finals, local club sessions take NSW precidence over Acaemy session. Page 5 Academy Coaches However, it is important that you (the player) commnuicates your non- Profiles availability for Acaemy sessions to the relevant Academy staff. Page 5 Farewell Academy What a great opportunity for Level 1 (13 and 14 years olds) in Coaches September where the four AFL Academies will come together in Page 6 Articles from the Albury, NSW to play against each other. This is a great intitiative and regions presents a great opportunity for Qld players to play against other developing states. More on this opportuity in Page 8 2012 Academy Achievements side.
Andrew Johnston Page 9 Concussion-Coach Expectations
2012 Gold Coast SUNS Talent Academy important news/dates.
Metro Country
Futures Cairns:
• Training dates: August 20th/27th
rd th th o August 20th/27th Sept 3 /10 /17
o Sept 3rd October Academy testing TBC
o Academy testing Sept 25th Townsville:
Level 1 August 22nd/29th
• Training dates: Sept 5th/12th/19th (No L2 19th)
o August 20th/27th October Academy testing TBC
o Sept 3rd / 5th /10th /12th Mackay:
17th/ 19th August 20th/27th
Level 2 Sept 3rd /10th /17th /19th (No L2
th • Training dates: on 19 )
nd th October Academy testing TBC o August 22 /29
th th th Rockhampton o Sept 5 /12 /19 August 22nd/29th o October Academy testing TBC th th th th Level 3 Sept 5 /12 /19 (No L2 on 19 ) October Academy testing TBC • Training dates:
nd th Game: o August 22 /29 th th th th th Level 1 –24 to 27 Sept - Albury – 3 o Sept 5 /12 /19 Games o October Academy testing TBC
Game:
th th Level 1 –24 to 27 Sept- Albury – 3 Games
Women in the AFL -Amanda Porter
Amanda Porter Gold Coast SUNS Talent Academy-Mackay Strength and Conditioning Coach/ Level 2 Sports Trainer
What does your role involve? Pre-game warm up/ cool down. Strength and Conditioning training and First Aid.
How long have you been involved in AFL? 8 years ago
How did you first become involved in AFL? My son started playing Auskick, which lead to club training and running water.
What is the greatest challenge you have faced in your role? Improving my understanding of the game and public speaking in my role as trainer.
What has been your greatest achievement/s? Having the opportunity to work with the gold coast suns academy.
What has been the most rewarding thing about working in football? Watching the kid grow and improve their skills each year turning into young athletes.
Do you think being a woman helps you to bring a different perspective to your role and/or organisation? Definitely a woman's thought process has different layers and we choose what layer for different circumstances everything is not always black or white, this attribute can help bring a different perspective to the game.
What do you find most rewarding about your role in football? When you have earned the respect of the players and they make you feel like one of the boys. also knowing you have played a small part in their development.
Who inspires you and why? My peers in Mackay, David Harding, Darryl Griffiths, they are always encouraging and passionate about the kids and the development of AFL in our region.
What advice would you give to other women hoping to work (or working) in AFL? Go for it, I started by volunteering to run water, and now i play a bigger role and who knows where it may lead you. If you have qualifications that are relevant to the sport talk your local AFL representative.
Why do you think it is important to have women in football? For inspiration to young women and a belief that they can do anything and preform any male associated role, and because its fun and rewarding.
What do you see in the future for women in football? More women involved at a higher level
What is the most important attribute in a leader? Respect if you earn respect from your players and you respect them in return as a leader you can’t go wrong
2012 AFL Academy Carnival- Level 1 Albury, New South Wales
The AFL in conjunction with the four AFL Academies – the Brisbane Lions; Greater Western Sydney; Sydney Swans and the Gold Coast SUNS will be participating in an Academy Carnival in Albury, New South Wales for Level 1 (U14) players. This will be a great opportunity for SUNS Academy players to test and develop their own skills and knowledge on and off the filed against quality opposition.
The concept: Level 1 (U14) AFL Academies Carnival Albury, NSW
• Four AFL Academies (Lions; GWS; Swans and SUNS) participate in a four day; three game round robin carnival. • Expose players to a high-level AFL competition against other Development Academies. • Expose players to a high-level AFL educational experience off the field.
• Venue: Albury, NSW-Games played at Albury Sportsground • Dates: Travel in (Monday, September 24); Depart (Thursday, September 27) • Matches: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday • Accommodation: Lake Hume Resort, Albury, NSW.
There are around 45 players in the Level 1 SUNS Academy region and the playing squad will only be made up of 25 players. So it is important that players and parents in the 2011-2012 Academy have a clear understanding on the selection criteria for the squad.
Selection criteria 1. 2011- 2012 Academy attendance 2. Required work sheets provided – forms from the Academy Handbook; monthly calendars; goals etc. 3. Attitude towards sessions and requirements. 4. Communication regards sessions or other required communication. 5. Individual development of players.
Also • Other Athletes outside the Academy program that the Academy Manager may invite into carnival.
It must be stressed that being selected or not for this carnival is not an indication of a player’s continuation or not in future Academy squads but a decision at this point in a players development and should be seen as an opportunity to learn and develop.
UNDER 16 Nationals Congrats to the U16 Academy players played in the AFL Nationals and were the over all winners of Division 2.
Also congrats to Lachie Wellers who took out the
Div. 2 Medal for best in the Carnival. Meet the Academy coaches……..
Rockhampton Cairns
Joel Ralph Ben Hallas • 2000- SCAFL Eden U/17 Captain, Reserves league leading goal kicker 71, Club Best and fairest, • Junior football Nyora Football Club, Gippsland Victoria BOG Reserves GF, Runner up league B&F • 2001 -joined the Gippsland Power Under 18 team mid- • 2001- SCAFL Eden Seniors runner B&F- Coached year. Played remainder of season in TAC Cup U12 - League Best and Fairest U/17 Ellinbank Football League • 02,03,04- Pineapple cup Palm Beach Currumbin and club best and fairest Lions - Contracted senior Player, Grand • 2002 Full season with Gippsland Power in TAC Cup. finalist 03, vice captain o4- CERT 111 SPORTS Played U/18 Victorian Country AFL Nationals. COACHING &ADMIN 02 • 2003-2006- Played at Nyora. 2006 senior premiership, • 2005- CMFL - Nyah west - Contracted player - Bog runner up in a senior best and fairest and member of Night premiership the team of the decade. • 2007 - CQFL - Rockhampton Panthers undefeated • 2007 Pre season with Box Hill in the Victorian Football premiership - player of finals League, Hawthorns VFL affiliate. Played with Croydon • 2008 - Redcliffe tigers - Premiership, leadership Football Club (Eastern Football League). group, 40 goals, runner up B&F • 2010 named in the Croydon team of the decade. • 2010 - Rockhampton Panthers leading goal kicker • Then moved to Cairns for work; Cairns Saints Football 35 playing midfield, B&F runner up, John broad Netball Club assistant coach, Captained the side to a League medal rep, League captain team of year, premiership. u17 junior coach, u/16 rep coach • 2011 Coached the inaugural U/14 Cairns Saints • 2011 - Rockhampton panther u/17 coach, senior eventually finishing runners up. leadership group, u / 14 rep assistant- tore hamstring 7 weeks Mark Kennedy. • 2012-Rockhampton panthers vice captain/ Suns
academy • Juniors -Skipton Football club in Country Victoria
• 1995 - Represented Victoria in the U/15 National schoolboy (Perth). • 1996 –Represented Country Victoria in the U/16 Academy Coaches moving National (Melbourne). • 1997/1998 – Represented Country Victoria in the U/18 on… AFL Nationals (Melbourne and Adelaide) • 1995/96/97/98 – Played Ballarat U/18 Rebels in the MACKAY- Darryl Griffith TAC cup. Captain in 1998. ROCKHAMPTON- • Won 1997 Premiership on MCG vs. Dandenong Stingrays. Joel Ralph • 1995/96/97 – Played 1st XVIII for St Patrick’s College in Ballarat. Captain in 1997 and named CHB in the team of On behalf of the Gold Coast SUNS and in the decade. • 1999/2000/2001 – Payed 50 games for North Ballarat particular the SUNS Academy we would like Roosters in VFL. to thank Darryl and Joel for their outstanding • 2001 – Finished year with Skipton Seniors to win the commitment to the Academy over the last 12 towns first Premiership in 67 years with my two brothers. month. • 2002/2003 – Redan in Ballarat Football League. Back to back Premierships; I won the B&F in 2002 and got BOG Both Darryl and Joel and made a considerable in both grand finals. Named CHB and vice captain of Redans team of the decade. contribution to the setting up of the Regional • 2005 – Moved to Cairns, assistant coach at Saints. Academy centres in Mackay and League and club Best and Fairest winner. Rockhampton and the coaching of the two • 2006-2009 – Player coach of the Saints. Runner up in 2007, Back to back Premierships in 2008/09. BOG in squads. They will sorely missed but we wish 2007/09 grand finals. them all the best for the future. • Awarded coach of the year 2007/2008. • Awarded coach of the Decade and back flank for Cairns
Thanks Again Saints Football Club. Coached the 2010 Senior Cairns Interleague team. • 2010/2011 – Knee Reconstruction both years leading to retirement.
Academy articles from the regions…
New northern star on the
rise at Suns ANTONY STEWART | August 17th, 2012
TOWNSVILLE'S Ryan Agita is on his way to following Josh Hall into AFL's big show.
The rising star, who now lives on the Gold Coast and is a member of the Suns Academy program, at just 16 years old made his debut for the club's reserves team in the North East AFL last week and will repeat the dose tomorrow.
Agita made such an impression playing on the half-forward flank he is set to be included when the Suns contest the finals next week. Gold Coast Suns players Josh "I just think he handled himself very well, he's able to handle the next step," Hall and Ryan Agita, both who Suns Talent Academy manager Andrew Johnson said. originate from Townsville. "He went well, his first half was really good and he certainly didn't look out of place in terms of that level.
"It was great experience for him to play on Metricon Stadium."
Agita caused a stir last year when both the Suns and NRL team the Cowboys courted him to join their academy programs. But the Hermit Park Tigers junior, who described his debut as being "out of the blue" went with his first love and hasn't looked back. "It was a great experience, it was very quick and a big step up, though," Agita said.
"(The move to the Gold Coast) has been a great step up for my game."
Agita represented the All-Australian under-16s on an overseas tour earlier this year, played for Queensland at the national titles and stepped up into the Coolangatta Tweed Heads senior team in the South East Queensland AFL before getting a Suns seconds' call-up.
Gold Coast see a big future ahead of Agita, a scholarship holder with the club who attends Palm Beach Currumbin school.
"It's a big move from Townsville so we've let him go a little bit to concentrate on school and his school program and the nationals," Johnson said. Mills to shine in Suns' reserve
Melanie Plane | 7Th July 2012 6:00 Am
ROCKY schoolboy Stephen Mills is set to play the biggest game of his short AFL career this weekend.
Mills is expected to be in the thick of the action when he debuts for the Gold Coast Suns' reserve team.
Mills is a part of the Gold Coast Suns' youth player development program and was recruited to play after impressing club representatives.
The 17-year-old, a student at The Cathedral College, has been playing Aussie rules for only three years and plays locally for the Panthers club.
AFL Capricornia officer Scott Smithwick said Mills' progress was exciting news for the young player and a great opportunity to further his career by gaining invaluable experience in the sport.
"Stephen has been recruited officially only for this weekend's game, but if he performs well and impresses the right people, it might become a more permanent or regular thing," Smithwick said.
The Morning Bulletin was unable to contact Mills yesterday afternoon.
Mills is following in the footsteps of former Glenmore Bulls player Zac Smith, who is one of the stars at the struggling AFL club.
The Rockhampton-raised Smith is an exciting 205cm ruck man, who has quickly shot to prominence after a towering first season.
Smith had found himself playing a bit of reserve grade footy this year, but is back in the starting line-up. The Suns, yet to win a game this season, play Geelong tomorrow at Metricon Stadium.
2012 Academy achievements…
• U18 Nationals –Qld side runners’ u in Div. 2 on percentage. (Beat WA for the first time ever) • Andrew Boston –All Australian • Invites to AFL National Combine • Andrew Boston (Broadbeach) • U16 Nationals-Qld Div 2 WINNERS • Lachie Weller – Div 2 Best Player • 2012-2013 AIS-AF: Academy Level One –Lachie Weller (Broadbeach) • Ryan Agita (16) plays for SUNS Reserves • 25 Academy players used as Top up players for the SUNS Reserves in 2012. • Country players Hamish Davidson; Stephen Mills and Issac Rokeby used as top up for the SUNS Reserves. • A number of Academy players who made there senior debut with their local club. Concussion - Coach Expectations
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
As a coach you are a very influential person in your football club and usually the leader in determining the overall culture of the club and its practices. You will set the tone and standards in most things you do. As a result you are a key person in preventing concussions and managing them properly when they happen. Therefore you must understand the main elements of managing concussion and be able to act confidently in this aspect of your role. Following is some key information for coaches in this important area.
Download the Coaches & Concussion presentation Download Concussion Management resources
Concussion
Concussion is a mild brain injury, caused by trauma that results in temporary dysfunction of the brain. When it occurs a player may experience symptoms and temporary loss of some brain skills such as memory and thinking abilities. It is important for coaches to be aware of signs of concussion which are often subtle.
Some of the possible symptoms of concussion:
• Headache • Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain • Dizziness • Altered, blurred or lost vision • Fatigue • Ringing in the ears • Memory disturbance • Loss of consciousness Some of the signs you may observe:
• Loss of balance • Irritability • Pale complexion • Poor concentration • Slow or altered verbal skills • Inappropriate behaviour • Mental confusion and memory loss • Not feeling your usual self If a player just seems to be not feeling their usual self - think of concussion.
Management Guidelines
One of your major responsibilities as a coach is your duty of care towards your players and their safety. This duty is highlighted when players receive a knock to the head and suffer a concussive injury.
In the best practice management of concussion in football, the critical element is the welfare of the player in both the short and long term. These guidelines should be adhered to at all times.
1. Removal from the game
Any player with a suspected concussion must be removed from the game. This allows the first aid provider or medical support staff time and space to assess a player properly. Generally, initial decisions in this area in community football will be made by the head trainer, unless the club has a medical doctor in attendance.
Trainers should not be swayed by the opinions of coaches, players, or others suggesting a premature return to play. Conversely, coaches must, in accordance with the AFL Coaches Code of Conduct, not put undue pressure on trainers or players to make such decisions.
A player with suspected concussion must be withdrawn from playing or training until fully evaluated by a medical practitioner and cleared to play.
2. Medical Assessment
All players with concussion or suspected concussion need an urgent medical assessment (with a registered medical doctor). This assessment can be provided by a medical doctor present at the venue, local general practice or hospital emergency department.
Players with suspected concussion, having been removed from the field, should not be left alone and should not drive a motor vehicle.
Refer the player immediately to hospital if:
there is any concern regarding the risk of a structural head or neck injury; or a player deteriorates after their injury (e.g. increased drowsiness, headache or vomiting) 3. Returning to play
It is important that concussion is managed correctly and that players do not return to play or training until they are fully recovered. It is critical that the basic principles of return to play decisions are followed.
A concussed player must not be allowed to return to play before having a medical clearance.
Decisions regarding return to play after a concussive injury should only be made by a medical officer with experience in concussive injuries.
Players should return to play in graded fashion, following a step wise concussion rehabilitation program. Player should be symptom free throughout the steps.
Positive steps coaches should take to fulfil their responsibilities.
• Coach your players to play the game within the spirit of the game and understand their duty of care to other participants, particularly around Laws of the Game which have been designed to improve safety of players including protecting players’ heads. • Ensure your club has supplies of the AFL’s concussion management resources – brochures; SCAT2 cards; clubroom posters; player & parent handouts. These can be accessed via the Concussion Management page of the AFL Community Club website. • Familiarise yourself with the current AFL Concussion Management Guidelines, including signs and symptoms which suggests a concussion or possible concussion so that you can implement them and their use becomes second nature in your decision making. • Ensure that your team manager, assistant coaches and medical support staff/trainers/first aiders all have the same understanding and will act in accordance with the guidelines. • Ensure that medical support staff/trainers/ first aiders have SCAT2 Cards and practise using them. • Display the AFL Concussion Management poster in your clubrooms • Ensure players and parents are aware of the issues surrounding concussion - e.g. through: ◦ pre-season orientation/team meetings ◦ providing handouts about recognising and managing concussion • Have parent/player handouts on hand at match day so they can be given to any player who has concussion or is suspected of concussion, or to a parent or someone who is with them.
Download the Coaches & Concussion presentation Download Concussion Management resources
Helmets and mouthguards*
Helmets
• There is no definitive scientific evidence that helmets prevent concussion or other brain injuries in Australian football. • There is some evidence that younger players who wear a helmet may change their playing style, and receive more head impacts as a result. Accordingly, helmets are not recommended for the prevention of concussion. • Helmets may have a role in the protection of players on return to play following specific injuries (e.g. face or skull fractures). Mouthguards
• Mouthguards have a definite role in preventing injuries to the teeth and face and for this reason they are strongly recommended at all levels of football. • Dentally fitted laminated mouthguards offer the best protection. ‘Boil and bite’ type mouthguards are not recommended for any level of play as they can dislodge during play and block the airway. • There is no definitive scientific evidence that mouthguards prevent concussion or other brain injuries in Australian Football.
*This document has been published by the AFL as a position statement on the role of helmets and mouthguards in Australian Football. It is based on advice provided by the AFL Concussion Working Group and AFL Medical Officers' Association. - July, 201