Coaches and staff from the Club’s Next Generation Academy, powered by Tyrepower, are in the Kimberley this week conducting youth football clinics and coach education workshops.
NGA Coach Roger Hayden provides an update on everything that is going on during the four-day adventure that starts in Broome and wraps up in Kununurra.
The WAFC and GARNDUWA are providing their support for this trip, supplying vehicles, staff and local communications to ensure our time in the Kimberley is a success.
Monday
After touching down in Broome we visited the Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation to present them with a signed AFLW Indigenous jumper. The KSGAC supports Indigenous people who have lost touch with their families, provides a referral service and raises financial support for those in need.
Simon Eastaugh and Roger conducted a youth holiday clinic for 45 local boys and girls, focusing on basic skill development, some competitive small-sided games and competitions to test the skills of local kids.
The highlight of the day was the goal kicking competition, where the participants just wanted to kick snaps like “Sonny Walters”. This clinic was also he first opportunity to promote the new partnership with Tyrepower for the FFC NGA
The evening saw Simon, Roger and Marc Webb (WAFC Head of Coaching) deliver a coach education and accreditation workshop to local community coaches and the first intake of local, front-line police officers as part of a State-wide coaching initiative.
This police coach development initiative offers front-line officers and graduating recruits from the WA Police academy the opportunity to acquire their entry level AFL coaching accreditation, and use these newly acquired credentials to engage in local communities as more than just police officers but as support for local junior football clubs.
The workshop consisted of a theory and responsibilities component, a practical session and a mental health support program, presented by Tackle Your Feelings.
Both events were really well supported and we were able to impart our combined experience and knowledge to contribute to the ongoing development of youth football participants and local police and community coaches .
Tuesday
We drove 4 hours from Broome to Fitzroy Crossing on Tuesday, meeting a number of local football fans along the way, including a cousin of Leno Thomas at a Roadhouse.
At Fitzroy Crossing, Simon and Roger visited the local radio station and met Ethan Hoad, a local radio presenter and the biggest Fremantle fan you will meet! So much so that he played the Freo team song over the radio at the conclusion of his shift. Simon and Roger sat with Ethan through his stint on the air waves, even making requests for Ethan to play from his playlist.
The sessions at Fitzroy Crossing kicked off with the coach education and accreditation workshop, again with a mix of local community coaches and WA Police officers stationed in the town.
The NGA youth clinic attracted boys and girls from around town and the surrounding area, turning into the most energetic and longest game of football that you could imagine, with mixed teams showcasing the abundant skills that are possessed by the local youth and junior talent, including a brother of Liam Henry, Tristan.
Exhausted from 3 hours of umpiring, we will rest up before heading to Halls Creek to do it all over again.
