WAFL State Academy coaches appointed

The West Australian Football Commission has appointed Andrew Lockyer as WAFL State 18s coach and reappointed John Hancock as WAFL State 16s coach for the 2015 NAB AFL National Championships.

WAFL Talent Manager Raff Guadagnino said the selection panel including AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan, Fremantle Football Club State Recruiting Manager Neil Ross, WAFC Commissioner Neil Randall and WAFC General Manager Pathways and Competitions Steve Hargrave were delighted with the quality of the coaching candidates.

“It was a challenging decision for the panel with all candidates possessing the skillset to coach the State 16s or 18s. Lockyer’s experience as a past State 18s coach and previous national championship winner gave him the edge,” Guadagnino said.

“It is a credit to all of the applicants that they were willing to commit their time to make a significant contribution to the development of young athletes in WA.

“Both Lockyer and Hancock totally embrace the unity, professionalism and a progressive nature of the WAFL Academy philosophy and will create an elite environment for players that have ambitions of playing our game at the highest level,” Guadagnino said.

Lockyer said he was “rapt” to be back in the WAFL system and looking forward to helping young players develop through the State 18s program.

“The development of players to either become 100-game WAFL players or AFL draftees is an exciting opportunity,” he said.

“It’s encouraging to see how many other coaches put their hands up to be involved in the system. To have the calibre of coaches putting their hand up is great and I’m honoured to be the one selected for the role.”

As a board member of the Australian Football Coaches Association, Lockyer said he was also looking forward to strengthening the link between the Association and the WAFL talent pathway.

“The more coaches we can get involved with AFCA to share their experience and provide resources and services the better,” he said.

Andrew Lockyer – Key Coaching Roles

2011 – AFCA Youth Coach of the Year (Joondalup/Kinross)

2009 – All Australian 18s Coach

Winning NAB AFL National 18s Championship coach

2008-2009 – WA State 18’s Coach

2007 – High Performance Scholarship Winner

JJ Leonard Medallist – WAFL Coach of the year (East Fremantle Colts)

2006 – Colts Coach of the Year (East Fremantle)

2005-2007 – East Fremantle Colts Coach

2003-2004 – East Fremantle Reserves Coach

2003 – Claremont Chairman of Selectors/Assistant Coach/Development Squad Coach

2000-2001 – West Perth League Coach

1998-1999 – West Perth Colts Coach

1994-1997 – East Fremantle Development Coach/Assistant Coach/Selector

John Hancock – Key Coaching Roles

2013-2014 – WAFL State 16s Head Coach

2012 – WAFL State 18s Assistant Coach

2010-2011 – WAFL State 16s Assistant Coach (2 games as Head Coach)

2008- 2009 – East Fremantle 16s Development Squad, Assistant Coach

2007 – Perth FC Colts Assistant Coach

2000-2006 – Rossmoyne JFC 15s & 16s Head Coach

East Fremantle Development Squad Head Coach