In a club first, the SUNS coaching team opened their doors to 38 local Gold Coast junior coaches this week.

Junior coaches were introduced to the SUNS coaching squad at the Wednesday morning session, hearing about their backgrounds and role within the team.

Coaches were then drafted out to each club, where they will play a support and mentoring role for each junior club coach.

Gold Coast SUNS GM - Football Operations, Jon Haines, said the role of the community coach is incredibly important and it is a role that the SUNS value highly.

“Community coaches have an enormous impact on boys and girls within their club and we are truly grateful for the time and energy all community coaches put in to grow our great game”, he said.

“As an AFL club, we understand our responsibility to support community coaches and are committed to working with AFLQ and junior football clubs to create the best possible environment for our kids to develop in.

“Each member of our coaching group has been aligned to two local footy clubs each and it’s their responsibility to drive a strong relationship with the coaches at those clubs and help educate them, wherever possible.

“We are a club that is committed to supporting the growth of the game in Queensland, and we are excited about the potential of this program to inspire coaches and players alike.”

Following the Coaches Draft, the local junior coaches sat in on the midfield and forward review of the Round 1 St Kilda match.

Midfield Coach Josh Francou, along with forwards coaches Ashley Prescott and Tim Clarke had the junior coaches sit in on their sessions with players, giving insight into midfield and forward setups, as well as what worked well and areas for improvement ahead of this week’s game against Fremantle.

The junior coaches then observed the SUNS' training session on Metricon Stadium where they were able to see coaching theory in action.

The Gold Coast junior coaches initiative comes as a result of the SUNS' continued focus on supporting local community football at all levels, in particular developing the standard of coaching across the coast.

In addition to the investment being made by the SUNS, AFL Queensland has recently introduced Coaching Coordinators in the Gold Coast and Brisbane regions to foster a culture of collaboration and learning for coaches at all levels of footy.

AFL Queensland Coaching Coordinator - Gold Coast Region, Tim Searl, said the session was a great opportunity for local coaches.

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to work closely with Gold Coast SUNS coaching staff to support community club coaches,” Searle said.

“With the SUNS' support we are able to educate our local community coaches and give them the expertise they need to coach the Gold CoastSUNS of the future.”

In addition to their mentoring roles, the SUNS coaches have developed a dedicated junior coaching manual as a resource for local clubs.

The manual covers skills and drills that will target the development required to play AFL football.

GOLD COAST SUNS COACHES DRAFT

Broadbeach Cats

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Tim Clarke

Burleigh Bombers

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Josh Francou

Carrara Saints

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Nick Malceski

Coomera Magpies

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Tim Clarke

Labrador Tigers

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Tate Kaeslar

Mudgeeraba Spartans

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Josh Francou

Ormeau Bulldogs

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Tate Kaeslar

Pacific Pines Power

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Josh Drummond

Palm Beach Currumbin Lions

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Josh Drummond

Southport Sharks

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Ashley Prescott

Surfers Paradise Demons

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Ashley Prescott

Tweed Coolangatta Blues

  • Stuart Dew
  • Dean Solomon
  • Nick Malceski

The Gold Coast Junior AFL season starts next weekend. It’s not too late to register, visit play.afl to find your local club.