SANFL Spreads Level 3 Coaching Course

By ZAC MILBANK

SANFL has introduced a Level 3 Coaching Course designed specifically for Community Football Club mentors.

The 12-month curriculum is being rolled out by SANFL in conjunction with the AFL to meet the demand for coaches at grassroots level.

”Each year, dozens of community coaches ask SANFL how they can get into the Level 3 coaching accreditation,” SANFL State Coaching Mananger Dave Reynolds said.

”Unless they are coaching at AFL level or head coach of a SANFL League team they haven’t previously been accepted. But this year, working closely with the AFL, we have created a structure that allows the Level 3 coaching accreditation to be more accessible and more specific to each group. We now have a Level 3 just for AFL coaches, a Level 3 just for state league and talent pathways coaches, and here in SA, we are conducting the first ever AFL Level 3 coaching accreditation for community coaches.”

The introduction of the course comes on the back of the appointment of SANFL Coaching Coordinator Rian Nelson, who is also undertaking the Level 3 in his capacity as Gumeracha’s A Grade premiership coach.

Speaking on a special SANFL Radio podcast, Reynolds and Nelson said the first two stages of the course had received positive feedback from those in attendance.

Leading Team Facilitator Daniel Healy delivered a leadership module in November which was also followed by a practical element on Game Day strategies by Port Adelaide assistant coach Nathan Bassett. (Pictured above)

Skill acquistion was the key focus of the next phase in January, with Kooyonga Golf Club coach Daniel Blackwell providing insight from another sport while performance psychology was another important component.

Coaching attendees will then meet again in June and in October, where they can reflect on their mid-year and end-of-year progress in their A Grade coaching roles at club level while networking with their peers.