High Profile Footy Stars Assist Aspiring CoachesFriday, March 18, 2022 - 3:36 PM - by Mark Readings

WA Hall of Famer Steve Malaxos has joined other high profile footy stars to help educate a rising number of aspiring coaches.  

The West Australian Football Commission staged its Level 2 Coaching Courses during the off season, with the accreditation status of a record 110 coaches overseen by WAFC Coach Coordinators. 

In a cross section of coaching experience, Malaxos shared his expertise along with former Fremantle champion Roger Hayden, current WAFL Colts coaches Ryan Lasscock, Daniel Curtis and Adrian Ricciardello, plus leadership and culture consultant Matt Angus. 

Malaxos now coaches Scotch College in the PSA after previously coaching East Fremantle in the WAFL, while Hayden has been a Development coach at the Dockers since 2012. 

WAFC Head of Coaching Beau McDonald has paid tribute to those taking part in the three courses. 

“These coaches are showing a great commitment to their own development, which is only going to benefit their players and clubs in the future,” McDonald said. 

The course also expanded its services. 

“For the first time we offered a hybrid face to face, and an online course designed for regional coaches, which meant they weren’t forced to travel to Perth. 

As a result, the WAFC will head to the regions to facilitate the course for those participants,” McDonald said. 

Tim Edmunds, Coach Coordinator - Metro North at the WAFC, believes the numbers speak for themselves. 

“To illustrate the popularity of the program, 69 coaches were involved in the course in 2021. 

So, to have a record 110 this year shows the commitment to the development of junior, youth and senior coaches in the community, country and WAFL Talent spaces,” Edmunds said. 

The WAFC course was a huge success due to the support of the West Coast Eagles, the Fremantle Dockers, along with WAFL clubs West Perth, East Fremantle, and East Perth.