More than fifty AFL enthusiasts will be keeping a closer eye on football ovals across the state next season, after undertaking Queensland’s first AFL Talent Identification course.
The AFL’s Talent Identification course is aimed at developing identification and recruiting skills, focusing particularly on talent ID for regional, state and potential AFL level.
The one-day course was held at Metricon Stadium last week as part of NAB AFL Draft Week activities.
Sessions featured a range of skills including, finding the next star, assembling a list and using combines to attract talent.
Attendees particularly benefitted from the knowledge of former AFL players turned AFLQ staff Craig Starcevich and Mark Browning who presented sessions on the day.
Gold Coast SUNS Recruiting Manager Dom Ambrogio, Hyundai Brisbane Lions Academy Manager Luke Curran and AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan were also on hand to share their skills.
AFL Queensland State Coaching and Volunteer Manager Jack Barry said the course had been a huge success.
“Getting more than fifty people through the course in its first run was fantastic for us,” he said.
“Talent ID is a growing industry and we’re looking into making the course an annual event.”
The course was run concurrently with a level two coaching course over the weekend.
Ninety coaches from across the state attended the course, a majority of which taking the first step towards becoming a level two accredited AFL coach.
Gold Coast SUNS assistant coach Mark Riley was a standout presenter, sharing his knowledge around game day coaching.
Coaches undertook various game-play specific sessions as well as sessions about recruitment, decision making, coaching philosophy and injury prevention.
After completing the course, new level two coaches will find themselves a coaching mentor and undertake additional assessment throughout the year, including keeping a coaching diary for the upcoming football season.
Level Two accreditation is vital for coaches looking to advance their coaching careers into higher levels of competition and high performance programs.
For more information on becoming an accredited AFL coach, click here.
