NURTURING new coaches and rewarding coaching excellence are two of the
key aims identified by WA’s revamped Australian Football Coaches Association
heading into the future.
The AFCA, which was established in the early 1980s to develop and encourage coaching development in WA, has provided an invaluable service to the football community over the years, coordinating coaching accreditation, seminars and recognition programs.
But with the structure of football in WA shifting as WAFL clubs are developed into Centres of Excellence, the AFCA is undergoing a restructure to ensure it remains a viable and important part of the WA football landscape.
Part of the restructure will see the annual election of representatives including a president, secretary, treasurer and nine WAFL District representatives to form a support network for coaches and promote the value of accreditation and education programs.
WAFC High Performance Coach Rob Wiley has been appointed AFCA president for 2009, while Ken Ferguson remains treasurer and Kevin Xanthis returns as secretary. All district coaching coordinators will also become official AFCA committee members.
The new direction for the AFCA will also see the committee play a key role in the planning and delivery of the official WA Coaching Awards Night, where awards will be presented to football coaches who have shown excellence and measurable achievements over a number of years.
Nominations can be made for the JJ Leonard Medal Coach of the Year, Ken Armstrong Community Coach of the Year, and Greg Brehaut Memorial Scholarship, which are each presented in recognition of stalwarts of our game.
This year, Coach of the Year Awards will also be presented to outstanding coaches from Auskick, Modified Rules, Youth, Senior Community and Female competitions.
Nominations must be submitted to Tarryn Kailis at the West Australian Football Commission, PO Box 275, Subiaco 6904, or fax 9381 1764 by Tuesday, September 1.
