The Coaching Pathway

Most coaches start out as junior, or even Auskick coaches, they take on their son’s or daughter’s team and follow them through the ranks, often in to Youth Football, and very often when their child stops playing or moves on to an elite level, they stop coaching.

What a waste of all of those years of gaining valuable knowledge and experience! You may have really made a connection with the athletes in your charge, you probably enjoy the camaraderie of the team, and the pat on the back at the end of the season for a job well done.

There are always plenty of exciting coaching opportunities out there; opportunities that up-skill you in your coaching, and your professional and personal life.

This is a story on how a local junior coach grew into becoming a Senior Development coach at a WAFL club – a story which could be about you.

Andrew Panetta was a notable cricketer in his day, representing Gosnells A Grade as wicket keeper/batsmen, and in the winter played Sunday League Football for Gosnells. A powerful side in a very strong competition back in the 90s.

Life rolls on and in 2010 Andrew found himself coaching one of his 3 sons in his Thornlie Year 5 team. Of course he was required to undertake the Level 1 Coaching course so down to Lathlain he headed for the weekend.

Andrew is a passionate, proactive sort of bloke, and asked plenty of questions; he chatted to a few people along the way, making a connection with coaches who hold similar philosophies. Eventually the coaches were asked to plan and then demonstrate a practical exercise. With great enthusiasm, clarity in his explanation and with clear football sense Andrew walked a group of his peers through the simple drill. The Mentor coach observing is impressed by Andrew and another of his colleagues, and soon recommends them as prospective assistants in the Perth Development program.

Andrew, in his humble manner and to his surprise, was invited to assist with a Robert Wiley Foundation, Perth Development 14s squad in 2011. His passion and expertise, his ability to communicate simple football messages to young men are his trade mark. In 2012 he is asked to assist in the higher profile program of the 16s, as midfield coach. This is followed by a head coach role for the 14s later in the year. All of this while continuing to coach his local boys at Thornlie.

In 2013 he was again in a role as an Assistant coach for the 16s, and undertook his Level 2 Accreditation – a process beyond just attending a weekend of lectures, but also being assessed on his training program and game day processes. His reputation grew around the Perth Football Club and midway through the season was asked to take on the defensive coaching role in the Reserves (Senior Development team).

In 2013 Andrew coached his club team of Yr 8 boys to a Premiership, with not one of his boys finishing in the top 8 of the Association Fairest and Best votes, which says something of his ability to develop a team, to coach within the spirit of junior football, to rotate players and provide opportunities in a variety of roles to each of them. Andrew managed a couple of extreme personal issues amongst the team and he engaged with parents. He was named the District Coach of the Year in the Youth category.

As 2013 came to a close Andrew tooks on a new challenging cricketing role back at his club Gosnells. He is a man noted for his ability to lead young men and develop those who want to become better people and better athletes. Meanwhile Andrew was keenly sort after by the Perth Football Club to take on the lead role as Reserves coach for 2014. Unfortunately, given his family and business commitments he has been unable to accept this opportunity.

What appears to be a meteoric rise in just 5 years, from attending a Level 1 course to an invitation to take on senior role in a WAFL Club, and asked to deliver at Level 1 courses and becoming highly regarded throughout the District, he has earned every bit of it.

Taking the opportunities when presented, finding coaching mentors to bounce his ideas off, attending courses and conferences, changing and developing his coaching behaviours, keeping it simple, and above all being passionate and genuine about the game and the athletes he coaches.

This too, could be you. There are many opportunities out there, you just need to ask questions, keep a look out, offer yourself up, be genuine and both passionate and committed. Time is a factor, but if you want it, you’ll make time.

There are Development teams, female programs, state roles, indigenous teams, school footy at all levels.

If you love footy and enjoy coaching, if you are one of those who think that 10 years of Auskick and junior footy does not prepare you; think again, you just may be able to travel the journey that those like Andrew Panetta have; where does it stop, who knows!

Contact Peter Brear Pathways Development manager Perth Football Club to discuss opportunities. pdo@perthdemons.com.au 0430 303 843

Contact Development Officer Bruce Fraser to inquire about opportunities external to the Perth Football Club, or to find out about Coach Education. do@perthdemons.com.au

0412 676 857