Michael Clarkson, an enthusiastic participant in Fremantle's Next Generation Academy (NGA) Coaching Program, proudly supported by Woodside Energy, has shared his journey of growth and learning through the time he spent participating in the program. 

As a passionate Fremantle supporter and seasoned football player, Clarkson embraced the opportunity to enhance his coaching skills while contributing to the development of young players at his South Coogee football club. 

Clarkson's involvement with the NGA Coaching Program began as a dual pursuit of personal development and community contribution.  

"I sort of did it to develop my own skills, but I’m also a Freo supporter, so any way I can sort of help out, I want to be there for it,” Clarkson said. 

His football journey started early, having played and captained teams over East. Returning to his original club, Clarkson found a new way to stay connected to the sport as life responsibilities grew. 

"As life progresses, and you have kids, it’s a bit hard to give up two days a week… once they reached the age where they could put on a pair of footy boots, the best way for me to stay involved was to join the coaching team and try and teach the kids what I’ve learnt." 

The NGA Coaching Program provided Clarkson with invaluable insights from Industry professionals in AFLW Senior Coach Lisa Webb, AFLW & Community Coaching Director Cam Shepherd, Fremantle Dockers Development Coach Tendai Mzungu and Senior Coach of Peel Thunder Adam Read. 

"One of the biggest things I learned was in one of the first sessions about planning training before you get there," he explains. 

Clarkson emphasised learning the importance of arriving early to set up drills, ensuring a structured and respectful environment for young players. 

"It’s all about prep work," he notes. 

Clarkson also appreciates the evolving nature of the game and the importance of adapting coaching techniques, as highlighted by Tendai Mzungu’s defensive principal presentation. 

"The game is a constantly evolving game," he said. 

"Any tackling technique we teach now is completely different to 10 or 15 years ago when some of us would have been playing." 

One of Clarkson's standout experiences was the match day observation, with Fremantle Dockers Development coaches taking the group through the opposition analysis along with Fremantle's strategic planning and execution.  

"The match day observation day is sort of an experience that money can’t pay for," he shared. 

Clarkson wholeheartedly recommended the NGA Coaching Program to aspiring coaches, crediting the program for a transformative experience that helped develop and evolve the tools and insights required to nurture the next generation of football talent. 

 "Any extra little thing we can learn off AFL level coaches that we can then take and get back into the juniors is great," he concluded. 

“I would definitely recommend people to get involved if the opportunity comes.”