AFL Outer East: Vermont vice-captain Adam Parker to take Upwey Tecoma coaching reins at season’s end
When he hangs up his boots at season’s end, Vermont vice-captain Adam Parker will kick off his coaching career in the AFL Outer East.
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The opportunity to develop a growing passion for coaching has led to Vermont vice-captain Adam Parker taking the reins at Upwey Tecoma, the Tigers announcing his appointment as non-playing senior coach for the next two seasons.
“It all started a few years ago,” Parker said of a developing interest in coaching. “I’d just missed a few games with injury and I spent a few games in the coaches box.
“I saw the game pretty well and luckily enough I made a couple of good moves and from that experience I have a real interest in coaching.”
With the seed planted, Parker began to contemplate the next phase of his career.
“You hit the 30 year mark and start to slow down a bit,” he said. “It’s my 15th year of senior footy. I could go back a couple of grades and keep playing but I want to go out on top while I’m playing good footy.”
And with Vermont setting itself for a tilt at back-to-back flags, Parker will have the chance to hang up his boots in style before taking up the clipboard at Chosen Ave.
Parker will replace current Tigers’ coach David Bell who told the club he wanted to concentrate on a purely playing role next season.
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The new coach brings with him an unquestionable football pedigree.
He spent two seasons with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL, captained Scoresby, was a four-time team of the year selection, played interleague for the EFL and, in his time at Vermont, he’s been a premiership player, vice-captain and best and fairest winner.
Parker has started to develop his coaching CV while working with the Eastern Ranges under-16s and the under-15 Victorian schoolboys squad.
A physical education teacher at Wantirna Secondary College, Parker also brings good communication skills to the role — particularly with younger players.
But it is, perhaps, the apprenticeships he has served during his playing days that will provide the biggest boon.
John Lamont, David Banfield, Kristian Bardsley, Dale Bower, Steve Cochrane and Harmit Singh — Parker has played under a Who’s Who of EFL coaching.
And the new Tigers boss said if he could use just a little bit of what he’s learned from such mentors he’d be off to a flying start.
Parker said Vermont had been tremendously supportive during his time at the club and he would be fully focused on the Eagles’ coming finals campaign before throwing himself into the Upwey Tecoma job.
The Tigers have had a tough time in the inaugural AFL Outer East season but recently ended a run of outs with a win over finals candidate Wandin.
Parker said he’d seen enough of the Tigers to feel there were encouraging signs.
“There’s that gap (between the top SEFNL clubs and the rest of the competition) at the moment that everyone talks about,” he said. “But the list looks pretty good. It's just going to be an education process for me (to get used to the players).”
Parker said he hoped to use some of the experience he gained playing in Melbourne’s top suburban competition, particularly playing on bigger grounds, which has caught out a number of former AFL Yarra Ranges clubs this season.
“Just how to play, how to possibly train and how to set up,” he said.
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