By Larissa Mouttou
In a club first, the SUNS coaching team opened their doors to 38 local gold coast junior coaches this week.
Junior coaches were introduced to the SUNS coaching squad at the Wednesday morning session, hearing about their backgrounds and role within the team. Coaches were then drafted out to each club, where they will play a support and mentoring role for each junior club coach.
Gold Coast SUNS Head of Football John Haines said the role of the community coach is incredibly important and it is a role that we at the SUNS value highly.
“Community coaches have an enormous impact on boys and girls within their club and we are truly grateful for the time and energy all community coaches put in to grow our great game”, he said.
“As an AFL club, we understand our responsibility to support community coaches and are committed to working with AFLQ and junior football clubs to create the best possible environment for our kids to develop in.
“Each member of our coaching group has been aligned to two local footy clubs each and it’s their responsibility to drive a strong relationship with the coaches at those clubs and help educate them, wherever possible.
“We are a club that is committed to supporting the growth of the game in Queensland, and we are excited about the potential of this program to inspire coaches and players alike.”
Following the Coaches Draft, the local junior coaches sat in on the midfield and forward review of the Round 1 St Kilda match. Midfield coach Josh Francou along with forwards coaches Ash Prescott and Tim Clarke had the junior coaches sit on their sessions with players, giving insight into midfield and forward setups as well as what worked well and areas for improvement ahead of this week’s game against Fremantle.
The junior coaches then observed the full SUNS squad training session on Metricon Stadium where they were able to see coaching theory in action.
The Gold Coast junior coaches initiative comes as a result of the SUNS continued focus on supporting local community football at all levels, in particular developing the standard of coaching across the coast.
In addition to the investment being made by the SUNS, AFL Queensland has recently introduced Coaching Coordinators in the Gold Coast and Brisbane regions to foster a culture of collaboration and learning for coaches at all levels of footy.
AFL Queensland Coaching Coordinator- Gold Coast Region, Tim Searl, said the session was a great opportunity for local coaches.
“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to work closely with Gold Coast Suns coaching staff to support community club coaches,” Searle said.
“With the Suns support we are able to educate our local community coaches and give them the expertise they need to coach the Gold Coast Suns of the future.”
In addition to their mentoring roles, the SUNS coaches have developed a dedicated junior coaching manual as a resource for local clubs. The manual covers skills and drills that will target the development required to play AFL football.
Gold Coast SUNS Coaches Draft
Broadbeach Cats
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Development Coach, Tim Clarke
Burleigh Bombers
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Head of Development & Integration, Josh Francou
Carrara Saints
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Development & NEAFL Coach, Nick Malceski
Coomera Magpies
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Development Coach, Tim Clarke
Labrador Tigers
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Development Coach, Tate Kaeslar
Mudgeeraba Spartans
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Head of Development & Integration, Josh Francou
Ormeau Bulldogs
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Development Coach, Tate Kaeslar
Pacific Pines Power
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Assistant Defensive Coach, Josh Drummond
Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Assistant Defensive Coach, Josh Drummond
Southport Sharks
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Assistant Forwards Coach, Ashley Prescott
Surfers Paradise Demons
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Assistant Forwards Coach, Ashley Prescott
Tweed Coolangatta Blues
- Senior Coach, Stuart Dew
- Senior Assistant Coach, Dean Solomon
- Development & NEAFL Coach, Nick Malceski
The Gold Coast Junior AFL season starts next weekend. It’s not too late to register, visit play.afl to find your local club.
