coaches on coaching – part 4 Coaching Indigenous players Mark Williams is one of the AFL’s greatest supporters of indigenous footballers, but not for the reason many think. In the fourth part of the AFL Record’s coaching series, the Port Adelaide mentor explains why he is so excited about working with Aboriginal talent.

any people coach, I already knew them. be outrageously one way or the assume Then I got to know Michael It’s easy to be excited other, but you can’t have a team I’ve had Long, which was good to see by Aboriginal players of bland players if you want to success with how an older guy dealt with be successful. And Aboriginal Aboriginal certain issues. because many of them players are often capable of players And then there was the boast great skill, speed, providing you with some spark because I’m Aboriginal myself. coach, Kevin Sheedy, who agility ... and an ability and unpredictability that throws MIt’s a common and long-held made Aboriginal players feel the opposition out. to do freakish things misconception. very comfortable, and they But you can’t just draft Early in my first year at played for him. per cent of the Australian Aboriginal players and expect Collingwood, I received a Back in my playing days, population, yet comprise them to perform miracles letter from the indigenous some clubs wouldn’t have had 11 per cent of AFL players. overnight. A lot needs to happen group in Victoria inviting me an Aboriginal player on their A coach should always before you reach that point. to represent the Aboriginals in list. Hawthorn was one, but encourage and nurture such I don’t think it works as well a game. I told them I couldn’t it won last year’s premiership natural flair rather than try to if you have only one Aboriginal play because I didn’t qualify – with indigenous guys playing knock it out of them because all at your club. You need to I wasn’t Aboriginal. crucial roles. Every club has you’ll end up with is a team of ensure they have people – other But that wasn’t good enough them now. People have become robots. Players hate that and so Aboriginal players – to talk to on for some people. In a game more tolerant, and wiser. At do the supporters. People love their level. They support, mentor against Richmond not long after, Port Adelaide, we target the best knowing somebody is capable and feed off each other, and that I took a mark and was lining talent and we don’t care what of doing something absolutely flows through what they do on up for goal and Phil Egan was colour they are. brilliant at any second. You can’t and off the field. bagging me because I’d forgotten It’s easy to be excited by my heritage! Aboriginal players because many Recently, I found out there of them boast great skill, speed, is Jamaican blood on my agility, anticipation and an ability IN HARMONY: father’s side, so that might to do freakish things that most of Working with explain some of my colouring. us can only dream of. indigenous players Although the misconception I think that on the whole, such as Danyle Pearce has been one about my heritage can be Aboriginal kids probably practise of the highlights frustrating, it’s also flattering their footy more than other of Mark Williams’ where it relates to coaching kids, and they probably have coaching career. indigenous players because it higher quality practice too. In suggests I create an environment the past, other kids would in which they can prosper. have practised as much at It has been the result of many school and in the park, but years of learning, respecting it doesn’t happen as much and understanding. these days. Aboriginal Most of us wouldn’t know an kids also tend to play Aboriginal person if it wasn’t little games with their for our associations with larger, extended football, but I had the advantage families, so their of growing up with a lot of skills develop to a Aboriginal kids, and I enjoyed higher level at an their company from a young age. earlier age. Then there were the football That probably links. In the SANFL at Port goes some way Adelaide, I played with guys to explaining such as Gavin Wanganeen and how Aboriginals Che Cockatoo-Collins, so when I make up less went to Essendon as an assistant than three coaches on coaching – part 4

SUPPORT: Mark Williams says coaches get better results with indigenous players by showing them respect and care.

a coach’s success with 1 players is directly proportionalAboriginal to the you need to delve into their It might mean arranging They also keep a keen eye respect and care you give them. on other promising indigenous backgrounds. The only way to a special dinner with the players, whether it be a brother gain a true understanding of Aboriginal boys, or taking We must treat every player 2 differently – not because of the colour or a cousin or someone else in the the individual is to spend time them to an art gallery – of their skin, but their needs. ‘brotherhood’. I have to confess in their environment with their just a little novelty to get t that the Burgoynes (Peter and extended families. them together for some he only way to gain a true 3 understanding of the individual is to Shaun) told me about the Davey Contrary to popular belief, the quality time and see spend time in their environment with brothers (Aaron and Alwyn) and, Aboriginal race comprises many how they’re travelling. their extended families. to my eternal regret, I stupidly different tribes with different It’s important to make e nsure Aboriginal players have didn’t act upon it. customs and belief systems, and them feel welcome and 4 people – other Aboriginal players A coach’s success with they produce many different loved, and that they have – to talk to on their level. Aboriginal players is directly individuals. If you can reach them someone to talk to if e ncourage natural flair rather than proportional to the level of on their level, you might find out they need it. 5 try to knock it out of them because all respect and care you give them. what makes them tick, and what In turn, people you’ll end up with is a team of robots. If they know you believe in it will take to get the best out of always want to talk Listen when they suggest recruiting them, you’ll get much better them as people and players. to Aboriginal players. 6 other promising indigenous players. results than you would if you When I spent time in the More so than any other hammered them. Tiwi Islands, I found out that group of footballers, The stereotypical image of brothers and sisters aren’t they become role models. Aboriginals is of quiet, shy guys allowed to look each other, or We see kids trying to kick and (as a development coach at who take time to feel at home, their elders, in the eyes at a mark like Daniel Motlop, and the Brisbane Lions) and Jason but gradually reveal their true, certain age. People often judge run like Adam Goodes. Playing Mifsud has been (an assistant at fun-loving characters as they Aboriginal guys if they don’t AFL football gives them an the Western Bulldogs and gain confidence. But as one of look them in the eye; they think opportunity to show other St Kilda, and now CEO of the my great Aboriginal friends they’re not listening. These are young people what they need AFL Foundation, and manager of Che Cockatoo-Collins would issues we need to understand. to do to excel. They help break the AFL’s indigenous programs), say, it’s almost racist to say You shouldn’t necessarily down race barriers. but we need more. all Aboriginals are the same put more effort into indigenous Now we need to break As I say to the guys around me, because they are not. players than others, but you down another barrier. We “You’re not going to get a (senior) In fact, no player is the same probably do. As a race, they only ever see Aboriginals job unless you’re qualified. You as another, so we must treat haven’t had the support they playing, but there are so many have to do the hard yards first, every player differently – not have needed and deserved, so other roles they can fill in the just like everyone else.” because of the colour of their if we give them more support football world. I’m adamant And Aboriginals are just skin, but because of their than what others get, it just we need Aboriginal coaches. like everybody else. needs. To work out their needs, evens it up a little. Chris Johnson is in the system As told to ben collins

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