Vote now for South Australia’s best junior sport coach

We’re recognising the coaches who develop South Aussie sporting juniors into stars. We asked you who the best junior coaches are, now it’s time to vote.

Voting is now open for South Australia’s best junior sporting coach.

South Australia is packed with young sporting talent, and it’s up to the state’s junior coaches to ensure they continue to develop.

While there are plenty of trustworthy and talented junior coaches in SA sport, we want to know who the absolute best are.

After countless nominations, we’ve narrowed it down to a list of 25 finalists.

Nominees have come from across the state, so pick your best in our poll below – and hurry, voting closes 3pm, Wednesday.

Blake Derer - Marion Football Club U15s: He is a great role model for our young men and has given a lot to his group and club in time and effort. - Jeff Sargeant.

He’s a magnificent coach. He’s proven to be successful leading his teams to numerous finals campaigns and is a true role model for his junior players through the work that he puts in on and off the field. - Alexander Kuchel.

Tamara Walker - Forbes Primary School basketball Year 5/6/7s: She coaches so many junior teams I can never keep up. She has coached mixed footy teams in previous years, U12s district Sturt Sabres girls, U12s and U14s domestic South Adelaide Panthers. You only need to speak to her to understand her passion and dedication for coaching and the game, but it’s her encouragement, support, skill and focus that inspires kids to play. - Airlie Kelly.

Matt Semple - Port Noarlunga Football Club U10s: He is a wonderful coach. His ability to treat each child as an equal is inspiring. He is a friend to parents and a mentor to his team. His dedication to encouraging sportsmanship, teamwork and enjoying the game of football is second to none. - Lanie Zerna.  

Shaina McIvor - Noarlunga Netball Club U9s: (aka Shaina Lee) Shaina inspires a group of young, impressionable girls to work together as a team and strive for success in all things. She promotes fun and is what grass roots sport is all about. An absolute star. - Sheralyn Bouzikos.

Dylan McIntosh & Jamie Darrington - Payneham Norwood Union U16s: These guys have taken their team from last spot to the preliminary finals this week, something which at the start of the year looked impossible. It’s phenomenal to see the development, dedication and perseverance of this team. If any AFL/AFLW coach had these results they’d be calling both of them the next Alastair Clarkson! - Vinny.

Andy Quinlish - Two Wells Football Club U14s: This man was the heart of Two Wells Football Club U14s and also coached U14s cricket. Last season he coached the football team to a premiership and this year, with almost a new full team, got them to a preliminary final in which they went down by two points. Unfortunately, “Quinny” wasn’t there to watch them play as he passed away last week. - Gregg Russell.