Recognition Award for Roleystone CoachWednesday, July 12, 2023 - 12:25 PM

Highly respected Roleystone coach and Life Member Michael Saffioti has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the club, awarded a West Australian Football Commission Coaching Recognition Award.

Michael began coaching a Year 10/11/12 group in 2018, a year after the tragic loss of his father Sam.

He took the side to a Grand Final appearance in his first year before moving with the group into coaching the club’s Year 11/12 male team, a position he still holds five years later.

Four years after losing Sam, a Life Member of the club and a much-loved coaching co-ordinator, the Saffioti family suffered further tragedy when Michael’s younger brother Tom lost his life.

Tom was posthumously made a life member of the club in 2022.

That year, Michael’s Year 11/12 side won the Division Premiership in what proved to be a highly emotional result with Tom’s year-cohort playing as Year 11’s in the triumphant side.

Some of Michael’s greatest assets include engaging youth in the community and instilling the importance of sportsmanship on game day.

The 29-year-old is currently undertaking his Level 2 Coaching Course and he has plans to coach in development roles.

Michael’s mother Samantha is the RJFC Club President and also a Life Member of the club, adding another layer to this incredible story.

RJFC Coaches Co-Ordinator Dan Helm has paid tribute to the outstanding work of Saffioti.

“2022 was a year of heartbreak for Michael, his family, and for the school cohort of Tom.

“Many of those kids could have gone down a dark path, but Michael and Samantha overcome their own personal tragedy to lead the football club brilliantly.

“It was an emotional year for the club and it’s wonderful for Michael to be recognised in this way,” he said. 

The Coach Recognition Awards recognise junior, youth and female coaches who go above and beyond to develop and support players.

As part of this award Michael received:

• A CoachSmart Coaches Board
• Two tickets to the WAFL Grand Final
• A visit from WAFC Coaching staff member Jayden Heuer at a match.