Northern Blues VAFA mentor George Wakim takes out coach of the year award

GEORGE Wakim takes the saying that football clubs are like families very seriously.

VAFA Division 3 grand final: Northern Blues V Richmond Centra at Garvey Oval Bundoora. Norththern Blues coach George Wakim Picture: Richard Serong

GEORGE Wakim takes the saying that football clubs are like families very seriously.

The Northern Blues Victorian Amateur Football Association mentor bases his coaching philosophy on understanding his players like they are his own son or daughter.

That attitude has helped the Blues achieve the ultimate success over the past two years, with Wakim also crowned the VAFA coach of the year for 2014.

“My coaching philosophy is pretty simple really, I reckon you coach every player like you’re coaching your own son,” Wakim said.

“If I know there’s a player looking for a job I’ll try and find him a job.

Northern Blues coach George Wakim. Picture: Richard Serong

“If I know there’s a player who’s having a tough time with his girlfriend, I’ll catch up with him and have a coffee with him.”

The 48-year-old won the award ahead of another back-to-back premiership coach, Hampton Rovers’ Guy Martyn, and Kew’s Ian Aitken.

The Blues have achieved an unblemished finals record under Wakim over the past two years in Division 4 and Division 3, winning six finals and two premierships.

Wakim, from Preston, said his sporting background in canoeing had taught him the importance of tapering for big events.

“I think in a way it really gives me an edge,” he said.

“Everyone raves about six finals and we haven’t lost a final, but I reckon a part of that is … in canoeing you basically train all year to get it right on one day of the year.”

Wakim also coaches dragon boat racing at the Southern Storm Paddle Club, which is based in Docklands.

It is a unique mix of mentoring roles which makes time management essential, but Wakim wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m involved in dragon boating also at the moment, right now I’m coaching every night of the week whether it’s football or dragon boating,” he said.

“As busy as it makes me, I find it keeps me balanced because I’m not totally consumed by football and I’m not totally consumed by coaching dragon boating.”

Wakim has had a remarkable coaching record over the past nine years, having been in eight preliminary finals with the Blues and Preston Bullants Junior Football Club.

While offers from clubs in the top divisions of the VAFA and other competitions are likely to come his way, he said he still had a lot to achieve at Northern Blues.

“I really want to see this club work in Preston,” he said.

“I want local kids to have a local club that’s an alternative to the Northern Football League.”