These past 2 years I have had the privilege of coaching Daniel's AFL team.
It has been one of the most challenging things that I have done, but also one of the most rewarding. It has been such a joy to coach these boys. They came into the game as individuals. They played well but played well as themselves. By the end of the season they have played as a team, passing, encouraging, celebrating together.
Today I had tears as I said thanks and well done to my boys.
2 years ago, I responded to a message saying they needed a manager and a coach for the 2nd under 9s team. I said that I was happy to do either and then got a message saying that I would be coach. Needless to say I freaked out at this. I’d never coached before, never played before, felt that coaching was a bit of a boys club. I had no skills or drills. I’ve watched a long time, but don’t know that I had the knowledge to coach. I did say that I just wouldn’t umpire. That is an extra stress that I didn’t need. They were fine with that. Last year the season was cut short because of Covid.
This year I received a message at the start of the season from Steve asking if I’d be happy to coach again. There was going to just be one under 10s team and I would be coaching that one. Freak out! My team last year played well for fun and sure did improve but they weren’t as good as the other team who I felt were quite competitive. I’d also been nervous from some comments like ‘can you kick the ball?’ From some other parents. Again, I felt that I wasn’t in the right place. But this season has proven me wrong. This group of parents have been so supportive! They have helped when needed, they have encouraged me when I have supported their kids and they have messaged me thanks when I’ve helped them out.
My coaching motto has been to play for fun and improve your skills. This season has been stressful in the boys having a few head injuries. It has made me increase me knowledge of the concussion rule, it has made me have very motherly instincts. When heads have been bumped, I have followed up how the kids are. One week another team got quite fired up towards one of my boys for an accidental injury (one which another boy actually did). M was in tears and shaking for fear - can’t blame him really. I took him off the field because he wanted to stop playing. I told him that I was going to let him be off the field for 5 mins and then I wanted him to go back on. He was hesitant but did and I was so proud of him. When J hit his head in a game (more the shock was which made him upset, not the head bump) I had him off the field for a few minutes and then told him that I wanted him to go back on. He wasn’t keen on the idea but I told him that I believed in him. At the end of the game I again spoke with him about how proud I was for him going back out there and playing. I then got a beautiful message from his parents that night.
Will and Loz have also been a beautiful support and have helped me grow in confidence. They are quite tight with a lot of the others parents and they were constantly helping me when I was doubting myself. It’s lovely to have good friends to have your back and help you in times of doubt.
Another time a team was booing my boys while they were going for goal and the coach wasn’t pulling them up. After that game I did a big chat with my team about how proud of them I was for showing great sportsmanship throughout that game. Even though we didn’t win, it was still lovely to see that they kept their heads high, and they they didn’t return the booing and poor sportsmanship. There was also a game where we knew they were playing a player down to try and win the game. It was sweet, sweet feeling when our boys just beat them knowing we played fairly.
At the end of the season I received a beautiful gift from the parents/families - flowers in the team colours, chocolate and a dinner voucher for Kiplings Garage. But what meant more were the kind words from the parents, the thanks that they gave and the boys respecting me as coach.
Coach of the Year Award – Debbie Noble (6)
*We have had the benefit this year of a very strong and committed coaching group, which makes the recipient for this award very difficult to choose. However this years’ recipient has gone above and beyond to improve in their knowledge of coaching techniques by attending coaching clinics, asking for advice throughout the year to improve team plays and has created a culture with their team, that will benefit the playing group many years to come. She is also our shining light who has the universal respect of the club, her team, managers, helpers and parents alike.
as well as this in an email:
you are not only a trailblazer for the club but a great contribution to our coaching staff and beautiful addition our otherwise very grim looking bunch of coaches (present company definitely included). I have definitely enjoyed your positive outlook on sport which is something I want to continue with the club.
A very beautiful way to be recognised by the club. Not too bad for being the first female coach at the club too.
My hope through this is that some other mums might put their hand up to coach and support their kids in this way. I also hope that I have shown Eliza that you can do anything you put your mind to, that you can prove the critics wrong and that you can do anything that a guy can do. I’m sad that I can’t continue to coach the boys next year, as we’re traveling around Australia for over half the season, but I do hope that some of the morals that I have taught them will stick and that Will will be able to give them some good drills and skills to help them continue to improve in the game.
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