Sit Down to Coach Rounds continue to have positive impacts on SANFL Juniors

By ALEXANDRA BULL

Sit Down to Coach Round requires all coaches and team officials to be seated in the designated coaching zone on the sidelines during play for all SANFL Juniors competitive matches.

Nine rounds across the season in total feature the initiative, which has resulted in positive ‘ratings’ for coach behaviour, highlighting its ongoing success.

So far in 2025, there has been an overall increase in the average rating of premiership competition coaches (Under-12s upwards), with a 60 per cent decrease in poor ratings for premiership coaches and an 80 per cent increase in premiership coaches receiving a maximum rating of five.

In addition, SANFL Juniors competitions have seen a 50 per cent decrease in the number of red cards awarded on-field to players – 29 in round six 2024, compared to 15 in round six 2025. A red card means the player must be ordered off the field and shall not be replaced for the remainder of the day.

The opening three weeks of this season were compulsory Sit Down to Coach rounds, with Rounds 7-9 in June and Rounds 12-14 also to see clubs undertake the initiative in every match from under-12s through to under 17.5s (boys) and under-18s (girls).

The Sit Down to Coach weekend was first introduced as a pilot in SANFL Juniors late in the 2022 season to help teach and improve positive behaviour towards umpires, and in general at matches.

SANFL Juniors Competitions and Pathways Manager Oliver Graham said some clubs have now elected to adopt the Sit Down to Coach method for the entirety of the season, resulting in significant improvement in behaviour.

“These Sit Down to Coach Rounds have seen the average score ratings for coach behaviour reach a new positive level in 2025,” Graham said.

“Poor coach ratings have decreased by 60 per cent, there has been an 80 per cent increase in premiership coaches receiving a rating of five and a 50 per cent decrease in the number of red cards awarded to players. (not sure if you need this quote as we say it early on?)

“And with only half the number of red cards issued so far this season, compared to the same time last year, this really reaffirms the pivotal role a coach plays on the overall match day environment and the importance of creating a positive environment for junior players and umpires alike.

“Further to this, it’s been pleasing to see individual coaches and some of our SANFL Juniors clubs implement the Sit Down to Coach philosophy across their club at all home matches.”

SANFL Juniors Football Operations Coordinator Nick Bremner highlighted the importance of having initiatives such as Sit Down to Coach Round to help ensure that both players and umpires enjoyed a positive match day environment.

“With junior umpire numbers increasing as rapidly as they are, it’s important that we retain them and by sitting down to coach, it helps takes a lot of the emotion out of coaching,” he said.

“By sitting down, coaches are more calm and less likely to yell out or make a poor decision.

“We want everyone to have a great matchday experience, with sitting down to coach a great step towards creating a better, more positive matchday environment.”