By Byron Parish
For the first time, coaches in North Queensland will have the opportunity to improve their skills through a level 2 coaching course.
The level 2 accreditation is the highest level available to community football coached.
AFL Queensland Education, Volunteering and Coaching Coordinator, Aaron Hall, said taking the level 2 coaching course to North Queensland will expose coaches to AFL standard practice.
“This is the first time in recent history we’ve held a level 2 coaching course in [Townsville] which is a really big opportunity for our North Queensland coaches,” Hall said.
“Level 2 is for senior and aspiring coaches that are also involved in talent programs, who are looking to progress down the coaching pathway”.
This course is designed for coaches looking to improve on their youth or senior coaching skills and requires coaches to have held a level 1 accreditation for more than 2 years.
Joining participants will be an array of elite coaches and industry experts from Queensland and the broader AFL community.
Geelong Cats Senior coach Chris Scott headlines a star-studded lineup of vastly different AFL, High Performance and Industry leading coaches.
One of thirteen coaches to take a team to a premiership in their first year at the helm, Scott boasts a winning percentage of 75.3% in his first 4 seasons in charge of the Cats.
Accompanying him is Geelong assistant coach Blake Caracella, a former team mate of Scotts in Brisbane’s 2003 premiership side.
Caracella’s playing career spanned three clubs; Essendon, Brisbane and Collingwood, before he joined Collingwood’s coaching staff as an assistant in 2007 before moving to Geelong in 2010.
Adding to the high profile list is Andy Lovell, current Gold Coast SUNS Assistant Coach and former Melbourne and West Coast player. Handy around the goals in his day, Lovell once kicked 8-goals for Melbourne against Richmond in a 121-point victory.
Current AFL Queensland Female Football High Performance Manager, Craig Starcevich has also been confirmed for the session.
The former Collingwood premiership player has taken his role in Women’s football to another level, as the coach of the Western Bulldogs Women’s team for this year’s exhibition match against Melbourne.
Other coaches confirmed for the course include Gold Coast SUNS Player Development Manager – Simon Fletcher, National Coaching Manager – Lawrie Woodman, AFL Queensland High Performance Coach – Adrian Fletcher, and AFL Field Umpire for Townsville match – Matt Nichols.
