Introduction

The demographic of the Region is that it is situated in the northern metropolitan area of Melbourne and encompasses the electoral boundaries of the Cities of Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Darebin and Ivanhoe. The football leagues which reside within this are the Diamond Valley Football League and the Yarra Junior Football League.

AFCA, as a Development arm of Football Victoria, exists to promote Coach education opportunities for those individuals wishing to coach Australian Rules Football. Whether this is at an Auskick level, at junior or senior competition levels, or even VFL and AFL, there are Coaching courses appropriate for each. Each course provides the background for a Coaching career. It includes, as examples, not only the basics of demonstrating and instructing a skill, but recognizing the roles and legal responsibilities that a Coach should possess as well as acknowledging the different rates at which children develop.

There are three levels of Coaching Course available. The Northern Region administers the Level 1 Courses locally and these are offered at the standard pertinent to the background of the Coach. The Level 2 and Level 3 Coaching Courses are administered by the State Director of Coaching and the AFL respectively. For more detailed information on these courses, please contact Simon Dalrymple, Regional Development Manager.

Our Region also organizes seminars at which guest speakers discuss topics as varied as Team Plays and Strategies and Skills and Drills through to the Importance of Hydration or to the Psychology of Sport. Most seminars have a theory component followed by a practical component where there is audience interaction. It also produces a quarterly Newsletter and hosts a Regional Coach-of-the-Year Dinner where nominations are received for four categories of Award. Recipients of awards are nominated to AFCA Victoria for consideration at the State Coach-of-the-Year presentation.