THE West Australian Football Commission will enhance its focus on coaching development with the appointment of long-serving coach Tony Micale to a new role mentoring WA’s Talent Pathway coaches.
Micale spent eight years as an AFL Assistant/Development coach at the West Coast Eagles, including the 2005 and 2006 grand finals. He also coached 188 WAFL matches with an impressive 129-59 win-loss record including six grand finals for four Premierships.
He will now share his extensive knowledge in the new role of WAFC Talent Pathway Coaching Coordinator.
His appointment follows two seasons as WA State 16s Coach and WAFL Coach Coordinator, which was a highly successful period that included leading the Deppro WA State 16s side to the 2017 AFL National 16s Championship title.
WAFC CEO Gavin Taylor said the new Coaching Coordinator position would enhance the WAFC’s focus on the education and development of Colts and Talent Pathway coaches, as well as supporting WA’s Regional Talent coaching hubs.
“One of the key objectives of the WAFC is developing football talent right across Western Australia, which includes our most talented coaches,” Taylor said.
“We want to offer coaches the best possible support network and access to knowledge and experience to ensure that they receive every opportunity to reach their full potential and progress to the highest possible level.
“Great coaches are one of the most important influences on player engagement and development so their impact on the game is broader than the individual. If we continue to upskill our coaches, the game overall will benefit.
“We believe Tony’s deep understanding and experience in this area makes him the ideal candidate to take on this new leadership role.
“I would like to thank and acknowledge Tony for his contribution over the past two years at State 16s Coach and WAFL Coach Coordinator and wish him all the best in this exciting new role.”
Micale, who was recently awarded WAFL Life Membership for his contribution to the game, said he was looking forward to continuing to mentor WA coaches and build on the work he has already done with the WAFL talent pathway to assist coaches develop and progress their careers.
“Notably, Beau Wardman won a Colt’s Premiership and was appointed as Subiaco’s League coach, Adam Pickering was appointed Swan Districts League coach, Greg Harding and Brad Dodd as Talent Manager’s at Swan Districts and East Fremantle respectively, and Ross McQueen and Mark Foster were named as coaches of the year,” Micale said.
“The WAFL has also benefited from the introduction of former AFL and WAFL players joining the coaching ranks including Ash McGrath, Mark Seaby, Dean Irving, Mark McGough, Kasey Green, Jacob Brennan, Garry Moss and Luke Tedesco, which has added great depth within the coaching pathway.
“I have also enjoyed working with our nine WAFL clubs, Talent Managers and our promising State Academy coaches and players over the past two years. I have thoroughly enjoyed the new challenge of coaching young players and helping coaches develop their skills to achieve their absolute best outcomes.
“I will miss coaching immensely as it’s always been my passion. However, I’m looking forward to mentoring the new State 16s Academy coach as they transition into that role and working within the Academy to identify and develop talented players and coaches,” he said.
The WAFC will now commence the process to appoint a State 16s head coach for 2019 to ensure WA remains one of the best resourced talent development programs in Australia with a targeted approach to both player and coach development.