Regional Coaches Benefit from Historic WAFL weekend Thursday, May 5, 2022 - 12:16 PM - by Mark Readings

The WAFL’s highly successful visit to Northampton last weekend also provided a boost for local coaches. 

The WAFC hosted a Level 2 Coaching Accreditation Course for coaches from Geraldton and the Mid-West on Sunday, the day after East Fremantle hosted East Perth. 

Community Coaching Programs Specialist at the West Australian Football Commission Daren Bell declared the initiative a success. 

“We haven’t historically run Level 2 courses regionally, but it was a good fit after the WAFL game in Northampton to hold a face-to-face session with 10 coaches,” Bell said. 

The group included several coaches from the Mid-West Academy of Sport’s East Fremantle Talent Academies, plus a mix of participants from youth football to GNFL coaches, along with male and female pathway coaches. 

“The quality of coaches taking part in the course was exceptional and enabled us to have high level discussions for coaches to engage. 

Credit should go to the work done in the region by the WAFC and the strong support of the East Fremantle Football Club,” Bell said. 

WAFC Regional Development Specialist Grady Tomelty believes the session was invaluable. 

“It was incredibly important, because more often than not a coach is also heavily involved in all aspects of a community. 

To give regionally based coaches these extra skills and development tools will enhance the great job they already do,” Tomelty said. 

The course included the input of three experienced and well credentialled presenters. 

Adam Read from the Fremantle Football Club delivered a high-level session on Skill Acquisition to highlight the importance of teaching skill and creating game specific training activities. 

WA State Coaching Manager and Female State Coach Beau McDonald shared his knowledge with the group, which included shaping a club’s coaching environment, season planning and developing a strong culture. 

East Fremantle Futures Coach Andrew Browne provided game day coaching advice and in-depth analysis on team strategies. 

Browne’s involvement in the course was fitting, given the Mid-West sits in East Fremantle’s country zone. 

“The level of detail they all provided the coaches was extraordinary. 

It was humbling to hear their stories and understand they were all once community coaches,” Tomelty said. 

Tomelty, who took part in the session as part of his development as a coach, claims there’s a reason so many players are produced in the region.  

“The Mid-West has the highest yield of AFL Drafted talent in the country. 

This doesn’t happen without high quality coaches,” Tomelty said.