WA hosts coaching class act

More than 350 coaches and administrators from across the country made their way to Domain Stadium to mingle with some of the nation’s best coaches and topic experts at the 2016 AFL National Coaching Conference over the weekend.

The three-day conference, opened by West Coast Coach Adam Simpson, covered off on a range of topics including effective training, specific skill development, match day coaching, personal management, injury prevention and management, building and coaching a club and high performance coaching.

A world-class array of keynote speakers led a series of workshops, presentations and discussion sessions for coaches from all levels of the game interested in refining their methods and skills.

AFL Coaching Ambassadors Stan Alves and David Parkin offered valuable tips on how to conduct effective training sessions and strengthen coaching philosophy, while former St Kilda/Collingwood star Luke Ball tapped into on-field leadership skills off the back of an insightful speech on leadership and communication delivered by WAFC Football Affairs General Manager Jon Haines.

Jon Haines said WA had worked very closely with the AFL over the last five years to secure an event that reflected the needs of today’s modern coach.

“The WA Football Commission would like to thank the AFL for the opportunity to host this year’s conference, and looks forward to the momentum from the conference driving further gains in the quality of coaching throughout WA in 2016.”

Coaches also heard from High Performance Consultant Ric Charlesworth, Founder of the Resilience Project Hugh van Cuylenburg, AFL Football Operations Manager Mark Evans, West Coast Eagles Senior Coach Adrian Hickmott and Assistant Coach Brady Rawlings and Fremantle Dockers’ Assistant Coach Michael Prior who explored the coaching mechanisms behind team defence.

Mr Haines said the event proved to be a great success due to the strong attendance numbers and outstanding array of quality presenters.

“The conference exceeded all expectations, Mr Haines said.

“We would like to thank all of the 350 participants for committing their weekend to their own personal development.

“Their energy, passion and dedication is greatly appreciated by everyone in the football fraternity.”