WA’s finest coaches were honored at Fremantle Football Club on Friday, October 15 during the Australian Football Coaches Association Awards for West Australia.
More than 70 guests were in attendance for an exclusive awards ceremony that included special guest presenters Steve Malaxos, Craig Starcevich, Greg Harding and Damian McMahon.
The awards night also provided an opportunity for the JJ Leonard Medal, Greg Brehaut Memorial Scholarship and Ken Armstrong Senior Community Coach of the Year to be formally presented and recognised.
WA Football Commission High Performance manager Craig Starcevich said more than 40 coaches from Auskick through to senior football had been recognised by their WAFL districts for excellence in coaching.
Nominations were placed via the District Development Councils in which seven award categories were offered for outstanding community and WAFL coaches.
“The West Australian AFCA awards night provides an opportunity to celebrate football at all levels and to acknowledge the significant role coaches play in the development of individual players and teams,” Starcevich said.
The Winners of the West Australian AFCA awards were:
NAB Auskick Coach of the Year:
Metropolitan: PAUL BAKER-Kenwick
Regional: BRETT MILNER- Busselton
Female NATALIE SHARMAN-Joondalup/Kinross
Female Coach of the Year:
MICK ROGERS – Piranhas Womens Football Club (Claremont District)
Junior/ Modified Rules Coach of the Year:
JUSTIN MARKOVICH – Balga Junior Football Club (East Perth District)
BRENDAN WALL – Lakes Junior Football Club (South Fremantle District)
Ken Armstrong Senior Community Coach of the Year:
BILL DUCKWORTH – North Beach Football Club (Claremont District)
Youth Coach of the Year:
ROSS ASHBY – Kelmscott Junior Football Club (South Fremantle District)
MARK BLAKELY – Bunbury Football Club (South West Region)
Greg Brehaut Scholarship:
GREG HARDING – Swan Districts Football Club (Swans Districts)
JJ Leonard Medal:
SIMON MCPHEE – Claremont Football Club
The night was a wonderful opportunity to recognise and show the industry’s appreciation for the commitment and dedication demonstrated by coaches throughout Western Australian.
