WELCOME: Congratulations to everybody on getting through the 2015 season. No doubt your club is appreciative of the contribution you made in your coaching role and you re appreciative of the end of season break. For many of you the recruiting period will now be in full swing with pre-season for senior squads not far away from commencing so hopefully you received some sort of rest between seasons. Onwards to the 2016 season for everybody involved in local football with the Community Club Sustainability Program being introduced by AFL Victoria throughout the state for senior competitions. Research conducted throughout the state indicates that all leagues and Commissions strongly feel that something needs to be done about the spiralling cost of fielding football teams and the difficulty in recruiting and retention that occurs in all regions. Even and fair competitions lead to interest, which leads to bigger crowds, which leads to stronger clubs and competitions. Even competitions allow supporters and club volunteers the chance to turn up on any given match day with the knowledge that the outcome of the game is uncertain, and that their team is a chance of winning. This mindset motivates people to become and remain engaged with their community club and provides rewards and recognition to all those that assist in putting a team out on the field. The Community Club Sustainability Program, or as it has become known local the Player Points System, is the first step towards hopefully achieving the aim of more even competitions. It will be interesting to see how this new program impacts community football in 2016 and what impact the reintroduction of a Salary Cap program in 2017 will also have. In 2015 and beyond a new Level 1 reaccreditation process is required for all those who are seeking reaccreditation. Please contact Football Development Managers Tim Shearer or Brett Anderson to commence the reaccreditation process. The following documentation must be submitted to your FDM in order to gain reaccreditation: Coach Reaccreditation Checklist TO ENSURE THE PROCESS IS SUCCESSFUL PLEASE ENCLOSE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: AFCA Coach Education Reaccreditation form completed and signed Reference letter from Club President, School Principal or Auskick Manager If you are coaching at Under 13 or below you need to do the Junior online course available at the following link: http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=575 If you are coaching at Under 14 or above you will need to do the Youth / Senior online course which can be accessed through the following link.. http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=1885 AFL Coaches Code of Conduct Form signed $85 payment for Reaccreditation - Four year period
GOLDFIELDS AFCA COACH OF THE MONTH Congratulations to our June and July Coach of the Month Winners. The Junior/Youth Category for June was awarded to Rod Stepnell who coaches the Ballarat FNC U/12 Seniors in the Ballarat Football League. Rod was also awarded the Coach of the Year in this age grade at the season ending Robert Allan Medal awards evening conducted by the Ballarat Football League. The Senior Coach of the Month for June was Corey Grills of Gordon FNC in the Central Highlands Football League. Corey took the Eagles to the 2014 Preliminary Final and they finished 2015 as runners-up with the past three years being the first time the club has enjoyed regular finals football for the first time in more than two decades. Corey has subsequently finished his stint as coach and currently looks likely to take a year off from his football commitments in 2016. Corey Grills (Gordon FNC) (Photo courtesy of Ballarat Courier) The Junior/Youth Coach of the Month for the Goldfields Coaches Association in July was Tim Meaney for the excellent job he has undertaken at Royal Park FNC with their U/17.5 team in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League this year. Tim has been a strong contributor to Royal Park s coaching structure acrosss several seasons and this year has done well in helping develop the next generation of senior players for the club. Waubra coach Grant Luscombe was the winner of the Senior Coach of the Month for July after his team maintained their regular position towards the top end of the Central Highlands Football League ladder. Waubra again made finals under Grant s tutelage with the club already looking froward to another strong year under his stewardship in 2016. Grant Luscombe (Waubra FNC) (Photo courtesy of Ballarat Courier) Tim Meaney (Royal Park FNC) (Photo courtesy of Maryborough Advertiser)
GOLDFIELDS AFCA COACH OF THE YEAR It is with much pleasure and a great deal of excitement that we can announce the Goldfields Coaches Association Coaches of the Year following the completion of the season within the BFNL, CHFL and MCDFNL. All of the winning coaches have been invited to attend the AFL Victoria Community Football Awards Evening in Melbourne in early November where the State Coach of the Year winners will be announced. The Auskick Coach of the Year is Peter McGregor from the Ballan Auskick Centre. Peter is a tireless worker for not only Ballan Auskick but also the Ballan FNC where he also has a coaching role and for the Ballan Cricket Club where he has also made a significant contribution. With no Auskick aged children left at home Peter has maintained his commitment to the centre because he knows the value physical activity provides the children of Ballan. The Junior Coach of the Year is Jamie Grant who during the year was also awarded with the May Coach of the Month title. Jamie coached the Hepburn FNC U/12 team this year as well as assisting with the Goldfields Academy program and CHFL interleague squad. Development of skills and game knowledge form key planks of Jamie s approach to teaching the young players he works with. Peter McGregor suipervising an MCG Grid Game Jamie Grant Junior Coach of the Year The Youth Coach of the Year is John Ferguson from the East Ballarat JFC. John has coached for several seasons in the U/16.5 age grade of the Ballarat FNL and has also worked with the interleague program throughout that time. John is a calm coach that is rarely flustered and with a genuine interest in the welfare and engagement of the teenage boys he coaches. John has also been chosen as a finalist for the State Coach of the Year title in the Youth category. The Senior Coach of the Year is Jarrod Edwards from the Darley FNC. This season Jarrod has steered his club to their inaugural Ballarat FNL senior premiership placing him in a unique position within club history. However, as important as the on field success Jarrod has brought the Devils is the off field work he has done within recruitment, retention and development of the club culture has been just as invaluable. Jarrod has successfully gelled together a playing group made up local juniors and recruits to make the Devils formidable on field and a club that locals want to be involved with. Jarrod has also been chosen as a finalist for the State Coach of the Year title in the Senior category. John Ferguson (pictured on left) with the successful Ballarat FNL U/16 interleague squad Darley s Jarrod Edwards evading a Sunbury opponent this year AFL GOLDFIELDS AFCA & AFL CENTRAL VIC JOINT COACHING SEMINAR
AFL VICTORIA V/LINE CUP AND YOUTH GIRLS SHIELD CARNIVALS During the second week of the September school holiday period the annual V/Line Cup U/15 State Championships were conducted in the Gippsland Region. This is the tournament that has in previous times been known as the Schoolboys Championships and has operated in different formats since immediately after World War II. This year a change in format saw a restructure take place resulting in less teams competing and a different timeslot within the football calendar. Previously the carnival has been played in the first or second school holiday period of the year but with the decision to streamline the number of teams it was decided that playing in September would assist the talent identification process for the upcoming TAC Cup U/16 squads through regional Victoria. Last year the Ballarat region submitted two teams along with teams from Hampden, South West and Wimmera meaning that five teams played in the carnival that saw their players eventually graduate to the Rebels TAC Cup squad if deemed good enough. This year that number of teams was reduced to two, both known as Ballarat Rebels. During the June/July school holidays matches were played between the representative teams of the four regions previously mentioned. From these selection matches a squad of 48 boys from across south west Victoria was formed and subsequently two teams of 24 were chosen to play in Gippsland. Ballarat Rebels 1 recorded one win and one loss from the two games played in Gippsland. Shaun O Loughlin was the head coach for this team. Ballarat Rebels 2 recorded two wins from the two games played in Gippsland. Rick Andrews was the head coach for this team. Well-known local junior coach Johnno Leoncini worked as an assistant coach for both teams with the Wimmera region s Jae McGrath assisting in a development role. At the same time as the V/Line Cup was conducted the U/17 Youth Girls Shield was also held in Gippsland. Eight teams competed in two games each with the increasing participation rates in female football clearly on show as the standard again went up another level from previous carnivals. Ballarat Rebels and Western Rebels represented the region with the Ballarat FL Youth Girls competition providing 30 of the 48 players that participated. Ballarat Rebels lost games against Geelong and Gippsland but competed well after a short preparation period prior to the carnival. Tim Shearer coached the squad with support from former squad member Winona Greenhalgh. Best player medallions were won by Amy McDonald (Redan FNC) and Jess Bokma (Redan FNC) in the two matches. Western Rebels were defeated in both the games they played but when considering that they had half a squad of girls that don t play regular, club football they acquitted themselves very well and showed that the expansion of girls football to the west of Ballarat will continue rapidly. Past player Georgia Watson and Ararat Storm coach, Beck Phillips, jointly coached the team. Best player medallions were won by Renee Saulitis (Warrnambool FNC) and Chelsea Wilson (Ararat Storm Youth Girls FC) in the two matches.
Applying for a Coaching Position Steve Teakel Coaching Development Manager AFL Victoria As the season draws to a close it may be time to consider your future where will you be coaching next season? Are you to remain with your present club or will you seek opportunities elsewhere? Further, many coaches are faced with the daunting task of applying for a position and attending an interview. When advertising for coaches, football clubs expect the best they can afford. It is your job, as a potential coach, to convince the club that you are the person they not only want, but need. The Application - personal Written Application: The advertisement normally asks applicants to apply in writing outlining your experience, qualifications and referees. It is important that your letter is properly presented and covers the following: Make the letter of application brief four to five paragraphs Include your name, address and telephone number Where you saw the position advertised A brief personal introduction General overview of your past playing and coaching experience in football (and other sports) Your reason for applying for the position, outlining what you can do for the club The Resume: List the following headings and include all relevant information: Personal Details include name, date of birth, address, phone number, and marital status Playing History year by year in point form - snapshot Brief snapshot of Coaching Philosophy few key dot points (can be expanded on later) Coaching Experience year by year, include results Other relevant experience work history, administration position/committee involvement, coaching experience in other sports, involvement with the age group in other activities Qualifications coaching accreditation, courses attended Interests outside of football Referees list of referees (previous club official, players, personal etc) title and contact numbers Enquiries: Often clubs will provide you with a contact person who will answer any questions regarding the position. Some questions you may find useful: What type /style of coach are they seeking? Can they supply you with a job description for the position? Do they have a coaching curriculum? (junior/youth coaches) Who will be on the interview panel? How will the interview be conducted? Time frame for selection The Pre Interview prepare Your Football Coaching Philosophy: Prepare a document to outline your coaching philosophy which will clearly articulate you as a person and how you will coach the club. Your coaching philosophy is a collection of thoughts and ideals on how the game is to be played, how you will plan and organize, teach and coach and how you interact with the playing group. This will guide your coaching throughout the season irrespective of team performance.
Research the Club: Do your research on the football club, the competition and clubs it competes against. Some things you may consider: How does your coaching philosophy align with the club s objectives? Visit the club website to learn its history, committee/board members, club structure, key players, social activities Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the playing list watching the team play, access to videos from the league or Youtube, information from other coaches etc Watch the finals series for the competition gauge the standard and level of play, opposition coaches and players Go the ground and have a look at the club s facilities Club Coaching Coordinator to support the junior coaches For senior and U18 club coaches what is the junior club program like and how you can assist The Interview perform The interview phase allows you the opportunity to sell yourself to provide greater clarity and information on how you are a great fit for the football club. Look professional, dress appropriately and come prepared. Be punctual, enthusiastic and responsive. Keep your answers to the point and brief unless asked to expand - do not waffle on. There are a variety of ways to present your information to the interview panel and I would be clear on how the interview will be conducted: Provide a document that gives an overview of your coaching philosophy, preparation for the season and references A powerpoint presentation can be effective be sure you have all the equipment necessary use this as a means of providing more detail on your coaching philosophy and preparation. Coaching Aims: Based on your research outline your aims/objectives for the season: Outline your coaching philosophy Provide a training plan for preseason preparation How you can assist the club Questions: Anticipate the types of questions or coaching criteria and prepare suitable responses. Some examples may include: Why do you want the position? What can you offer the club? Previous experience - What worked well? What issues did you have to deal with? How did you resolve them? Describe your coaching style How will you be a role model for your club, team and individual players? What would a normal coaching week look like for you and the team? Player development what would you put in place? What are the focus areas? Group management players, parents, support staff Team play and tactics how would you teach? What remuneration are you seeking? Scenario based questions game related, player management, planning and organization What questions will you ask? Club direction what is the plan? Club expectations of the coach Time frame for determining the successful applicant for the role Support staff available Playing list changes? Football Manager or Club Coaching Coordinator - role and responsibilities Potential recruits who does the identifying? As clubs are becoming more professional in their approach, it is up to prospective coaches to prepare and present themselves in a way that will increase their chances of successfully gaining that next coaching position.
OUT AND ABOUT Ballarat Rebels 1 rest after their match at Morwell during the V/Line Cup U15/ Championships Ballarat Rebels players Will McGannon, Tom Clark, Matthew Romeril and Joel O Connell. (Left) Mount Clear s Jesse Marshall gets his kick away against Goulburn Murray Bushrangers
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