Despite looking like they’re going to be active in the recruiting space over the off-season, the Western Magpies remain a club focused on attracting and promoting youth, according to Junior Coaching Coordinator Shaun Barrett.
“We’ve got a really proactive senior coaching panel, as well as a senior committee,” said Barrett.
“Obviously one of the things they value is the development of local junior players. Again, all young kids that play the game, for the enjoyment or have got some natural ability, you want to be able to give them a pathway to be able to play senior footy.”
It’s a philosophy that has seen the Brisbane based club get involved in a number of initiatives, including their regional match against Surfers Paradise in Toowoomba this year and the establishment of a Coaching Academy in 2014.
The QAFL ‘Battle of the Bush’ showcased the league in the Toowoomba area and was a big positive for the Magpies with regards to creating links to the West of Brisbane, while the Coaching Academy is set to go ahead again this year in November.
Academy Coordinator Quentin Johnson will head up the program with support from senior coach Brydan Morgan and a number of senior players from the Brisbane based club.
“The intent of it is the development of younger players with obviously the longer term goal to become senior players,” said Barrett.
During the five-week program, participants focus on core football skills, decision making and basic game play.
Further details on the Coaching Academy program can be found at the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/WesternMagpiesAFC/posts/1550462188326314
By Sean Melrose
Follow @seanmelrose
