At teamsportcoaching.com we are strong advocates of coach education and are true believers in the potential of the online medium to deliver content that can enhance a wide variety of coaching methods and disciplines.
For any questions, feedback, suggestions, ideas, comments etc please email admin at teamsportcoaching dot com
The teamsportcoaching.com team
Robert Oatey – South Australian National Football League Coaching Manager
in his own words….
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We have had a significant emphasis placed on education in the latter half of the 20th century, particularly in technology and communication through the use of scientific knowledge. So, after the introduction of the idea of computers, mobile phones, internet, etc in the past 30 years, we are now more accepting of the new sciences, people are realizing their worth, and change to them is exciting in so many ways – particularly information sharing.
The word change is what we are hearing often but there seems to be a key human principle involved here and that is that we will not change without some good reason. Hence the ability to share information about our activities is fundamental, not only in our chosen areas of interest and involvement but across the whole range of activities in our society.
Sports Coaching has adopted a much broader focus though the increased attention at the highest levels and participants are not only expected to play the game to win but within the rules and with highly developed skill and also an ability to represent ‘best behaviour’ practice in the community.
We hope that this website will develop into a very worthwhile source of information sharing whereby coaches are able to receive and give openly through a variety of means that we hope to develop in the ensuing years.
We hope that, from the ideas we all contribute to this site, you will give opportunity to your ‘charges’ and assist them with their motivation to play and enjoy their activity at any level in a responsible and sensitive manner.
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Background (from norwoodfc.com.au website)
Robert Oatey was the epitome of courage both as a player and a leader. Like his famous father Jack, he goaled with his first kick in league football and went on to coach Norwood. Strong-willed in his approach to the game, “RO” was also a vastly talented creative player who sometimes suffered because often he was two moves ahead of not only the opposition, but his teammates as well. As Norwood’s captain-coach, that occasionally made life difficult for all concerned, and led, like his dad, to occasional philosophical differences with the club.
Robert was a good enough footballer to finish runner-up to Barrie Robran for the 1968 Magarey Medal despite Norwood’s taking the wooden spoon that year, and was a regular State player in one of South Australia’s most exciting representative eras. A born teacher of our great Australian game, Robert later played and coached at Sturt and has maintained his connection with football throughout his life.
For 10 years the State under 16 and under 17 coach, he is now the SANFL coaching manager. Robert’s contribution to this club is significant.
Games: 232 Goals: 365
Captain-coach: 1968 – 73
Club champion: 1967 – 68, 1971 – 72
Leading goalkicker: 1967 – 69
Further honours: Norwood Player Life Member, Norwood Team of the Century, SANFL Hall of Fame, SA games 9.
Mark Upton – Specialist Coach, Adelaide Football Club
in his own words…
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Coaching any team sport (especially Australian Rules Football, the initial focus of this site) is inherently a tremendous challenge where the art and science of modern coaching must combine to produce an effective and ultimately successful team. The game and coaching methods are constantly evolving, making the need to continually educate and develop yourself as a coach critical.
The internet has the capacity to be a tremendous platform for information sharing, collaboration, teaching and education. We have only just started to see the potential of this. In relation to Australian Rules Football, much of my motivation for developing this site came about because of the lack of quality content available online. Many nights have I spent “googling” various searches for coaching material. Rarely do these searches produce anything of substance related to our great Australian game and as far as I am aware there is no dedicated site for coach education. This has caused me much frustration as I have looked to expand my knowledge, making me wonder if other coaches were experiencing similar frustrations? Hence I hope this site and the content available can relieve some of those frustrations and start realising the potential of the internet to improve coaching in Australian Rules Football and, in the longer term, other team sports.
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Background
Mark Upton may be part of the first generation to be involved in elite coaching as their first full-time occupation. After less than distinguished amateur football, basketball and tennis careers in his teens, he graduated from the University of South Australia with a degree in Human Movement (sports science) in 2001. Gaining employment with the Adelaide Football Club in that year he initially specialised in fitness/conditioning and was involved in some of the first applications of automated player tracking systems. He then moved into performance analysis when it was first emerging as a genuine discipline and this role became an important part of the coaching structure at the Adelaide Football Club. Through game analysis Mark quickly developed a tremendous understanding of the modern game of Australian Rules. Due to this, his role expanded into developing the various systems, strategies and styles of play implemented by the coaching group. Mark’s current role explores how to best train and teach these systems of play along with “hands on” coaching of the playing group. He is a great believer in the ability of technology to assist the coaching process when applied in the correct manner.
Mark completed his Level 3 coaching accreditation in 2005.