Coaching Edge Coach of the Year Awards (Regional and State) The Community Club Coach Championship moves Coaching philosophy– David Parkin Learning's from 2010 Using smart kicks Effective backlines 2011 AFL national coaching conference What is AFCA? The Re-Accreditation process (Level 1) Coaching resources The third edition of the coaching edge (pictured left) is now available for download from the AFL website (www.afl.com.au) under the coaching section. The Coaching Edge is the new electronic coach- ing magazine and is a continuation of the well respected Coaching Update magazine which was first published in 1988 after the VFL as- sumed responsibility for football development across Victoria and formed the Australian Foot- ball 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 interviews 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 6712 | E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://easternranges.aflvic.com.au The Coach of the Year Awards for season 2010 was held at the Lilydale International on Monday 4 October and saw over 200 guests in attendance. The Awards Dinner gives AFL Victoria the opportu- nity to recognise and thank coaches from across the region for all their hard work during the year. A total of 30 nominations across 5 categories were received acknowledging the coaches for all their hard work. The nominated coaches were acknowledged in front of the 200 plus attendees for their outstanding contribution to grass roots football and their role in developing junior foot- ballers. The nominated and winning coaches were: Pictured left, Tim Livingstone, Brian Chamberlin, Michael Scott, Darren Jacobsen, Keltie Blake & Glenn Murray JUNIOR CATEGORY WINNER Tim Livingstone Park Orchards North Ringwood Parish JFC NOMINEES Darren Hall North Ringwood JFC Mark Weightman East Ringwood JFC David Dyball Wesburn JFC Bruno Merlino Wandin JFC Craig Clement Donvale Magpies JFC Anthony Clark Chirnside Park JFC Trevor Tippet Heathmont JFC AUSKICK CATEGORY WINNER Brian Chamberlin Mt Evelyn Auskick NOMINEES David Nicholas Vermont Auskick Derek Paterson Warranwood Auskick Ollie Hansen Warranwood Auskick Brad Hutchinson Lysterfield Auskick SENIOR CATEGORY WINNER Michael Scott Olinda-Ferny Creek FNC NOMINEE Travis Marsham Gembrook-Cockatoo FNC YOUTH CATEGORY WINNER Darren Jacobson Ferntree Gully Eagles JFC NOMINEES Steve Blakey Warrandyte FC Ryan Cullen North Ringwood JFC Chris West Norwood JFC Ian Birkett Wantirna South FC Kane Powell Coldstream JFC Rob Hubbard East Ringwood JFC Leon Hauler Belgrave JFC Sean Kavanagh Scoresby FC Brad Burns Rowville JFC Andrew Derksen Upper Ferntree Gully JFC Glenn Murray Mithcam FC Brett Anderson Mooroolbark JFC FEMALE CATEGORY WINNER Keltie Blake Chirnside Park JFC NOMINEE Alicia Eva East Malvern JFC CONTRIBUTION TO GRASS ROOTS FOOTBALL AWARD Glenn Murray Mitcham FC Special guest speakers Alan Richardson and Heath Hocking from the Essendon FC entertained the audience on the night with their insights into AFL football and also some funny life stories along the journey. The Community Club Coach By Luke Rayner Community football senior coaches who embrace their club in its entirety will reap the rewards. Previous research suggests coaches are the most influential people at club level in community football and there is no doubt in my mind this is the case. The community coach has many areas of influence including, but not limited to, club culture, values, player/coach/parent conduct, game style, the club‟s medical team, social environment, processes and procedures. Given this, I believe clubs need to ensure their senior coach is suited to taking on the roles and responsibilities of being a club coach, and can control quality programs throughout the junior and senior levels of the club. Good coaching helps to create the best learning environment, while also maximising the motivation and enjoyment of all players. The senior coach, who is likely to be the best credentialed coach at the club, needs to put time into developing all of the club‟s coaches, providing education, resources and a support network, which will help establish a one-club approach. I acknowledge many community coaches are already time poor and may be thinking these things are unachievable or just further burdens in an already busy role. However, with thorough planning and creative use of resources, and by engaging fellow coaches and relying on the help of a driven junior coordinator, it can be achieved quite easily. If you can see the outcomes you want to achieve and use these as motivation, this will drive the process. Think of having one united club, shared core values, game-style principles that are implemented on a staged basis through all age groups with similar messages constantly reinforced, coaches coaching to a playbook of consistent drills and a code of conduct suit- able to all ages. This will help improve the players‟ development, knowledge of our game, transition from age group to age group and love for their club. Since joining the Torquay Tigers Football Club last season with a vision to be a club coach, we have been able to introduce the following strategies and initiatives that have started our journey to becoming one club with amazing coaches, resources and support: Tigers Way Handbook – a comprehensive ,, coaching guide on club values, game-plan principles, line behaviors, team objectives, drills and skills, game sense and full-ground activities. A living document that is updated regularly with input from coaches at all levels. Three club coaching seminars in 2009 with more planned for 2010. All coaches from our 16 junior teams and three senior teams attend these nights. I facilitate open discussion on Tigers Way, relevant topics and issues that may have arisen, and encourage the sharing of ideas and support among the coaches. A minimum two training visits by our senior players to all junior teams. They either take training or participate with the kids. This helps to develop club links, provides variety for the coaches and encourages the kids to come and watch senior football and develop a love for their club. These are some of the initiatives a club coach can undertake without too much effort. While in its infancy our program is already seeing: - Improved synergy between our junior and senior ranks. -Improved player transition between age groups. -Improved training methods. -Better knowledge of our game style. -Greater enthusiasm among coaches due to the support programs. -The engagement and motivation of players due to our new strong game-sense focus. Investing in your coaches at all levels means you are investing in your club as a whole and the environment you are provid- ing for participants. For those that embrace the role of club coach I assure you it will be one of your most satisfying coach- ing achievements. Luke Rayner is club coach and senior coach at Torquay Tigers Football Club and is an accredited AFL High Performance Coach. This article was written as part of the requirements for the AFL High Performance Coach Accreditation Course 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 tackle 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, particularly young people. The statistics reveal the prevalence of the problem, as an average year in Victoria will see 1500 as- saults in licensed premises, 10 - 15,000 people apprehended for public drunkenness, 2000 assaults 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 Danny Frawley, 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 of „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).