TWO AFL North Coast coaches are set to make coaching history in the region.

Katika Adams and Matt Anderson are on the path to becoming the region’s first ever Level 3 accredited coaches.

The two local coaches are completing the Level 3 course, which is the highest level of accreditation that someone outside the elite AFL system can obtain.

With access to the Level 4 course limited to coaches seeking to become AFL senior coaches, completing the Level 3 course will put Adams and Anderson at the forefront of coaching at community football level across the nation.

Both have been an integral part of the AFL North Coast’s coaching fraternity in recent years.

Katika Adams is the Coffs Harbour Breakers reserve grade coach, while Matt Anderson has an extensive coaching resume with the Sawtell/Toormina Saints senior and junior clubs which also includes coaching the North Coast Force junior representative teams and the Northern Heat program.

Adams’ opportunity to take part in the Level 3 course came about after she was selected to take part in the ‘She Can Coach’ program, which is designed to invest in the development of the next wave of talented female coaches within the state.

The Coffs Harbour Breakers reserve grade coach is one of just 14 women who were offered a place in a state-based AFL Level 3 Coaching Accreditation course.

The group of 14 includes a number of coaches who are involved at VFLW and AFL Academy levels.

Adams said she was ready for the challenge presented by the Level 3 coaching course.

“Coaching is harder than it looks but I was ready for a challenge and to develop a new skill set,” she said.

“My drive and my passion comes from being able to help players reach their full potential.

“If I can be a part of that by bettering my coaching skills and following a career into the AFLW coaching sphere, I would love that.”

Anderson said the current Level 3 course focused more on grassroots coaching.

“You would normally need to live in a capital city and be involved in an elite program to be able to put the Level 3 learnings into practice,” he said.

“This year the content is much more focussed around the community footy environment and I felt it was a great chance to further develop my coaching skills and knowledge so I can offer even more to the players I’m working with at all levels.”

AFL North Coast Community Football Manager, Paul Taylor, said that it was great to see coaches with a thirst for learning.

“It was only a few years ago that we didn’t have any coaches accredited above Level 1 in the region, so it’s amazing to think that in a few short years we’re now at the point where we have coaches tackling the Level 3 course,” he said.

“All credit to Katika and Matt who are pushing themselves beyond their comfort zone to be the best coaches they can be.

“Everything they learn from this experience will only benefit the players they coach.”

Following hot on the heels of Katika and Matt are another three local coaches who will be undertaking the Level 2 course.

The biggest single year registration into the course sees Luke Stanford, Shannon Goodenough, and Matt Crawley all enrolled in the program.

Each of the three are really excited to get started with the learning so they can put it into practice.

Luke coaches at North Coast PSSA, North Coast Force, and Northern Heat levels.

Shannon is the Youth Girls coach at Coffs Harbour Breakers and is stepping up to an Assistant Coach role with the North Coast Academy of Sport, where she’ll work side by side with Head Coach and fellow Level 2 participant, Matt Crawley.

 

By Aiden BURGESS