From Paris to Miami: AFL coaches head overseas to find inspiration ahead of next season
AFL coaches have again packed their passports and jetted to the USA or Europe to learn from big professional sporting organisations. But what will they bring back that helps their club?
Warm weather and proximity to beaches are just a bonus for GWS Giants’ coach Adam Kingsley as he takes on a tour of sporting clubs around America.
Kingsley, the reigning coach of the year, is one of many coaches from around the AFL who have dusted off their passports and headed overseas in the name of professional development.
After his first year as a head coach, Kingsley has started his off-season trip in Florida, working with the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat and Florida Panthers. He will then travel up the East Coast to spend time in both Boston and Philadelphia.
A few of his Giants colleagues have flown to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, meeting up with some of the biggest football clubs in the world like Paris Saint-Germain. It’s the first time the Giants have heavily invested in professional development as they look to go one better than their preliminary final appearance this season.
In the past, trips to the US and UK have transformed the way coaches think about the game. Damien Hardwick came back a different man from America in 2016 and went on to lead Richmond to three premierships in four seasons.
Alistair Nicholson, CEO of the AFL Coaches Association, confirmed that somewhere in the vicinity of 30 coaches from around the competition are taking part in trips to work with other sports.
“It’s at least one from each club, in that 20-30 range,” Nicholson said.
“With Covid and restrictions in the past years, it was harder to do. But I’d say the appetite to do that and get over and innovate, the thirst is there.
“They’re interested in speaking to peers in their space to help them advance what they’re doing.
“Even if it’s things that potentially help them for life after coaching, whether it’s leadership or management or whatever else.
“Driven coaches also apply that to their own appetite to get better at whatever area it is they think they’ve got a gap on.”
That drive applies across the league with even the most experienced coaches looking at ways to get better.
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire, along with assistants Dean Cox and Jarrad McVeigh, are spending a fortnight in the US.
It started with a four-day executive leadership course at Harvard before meetings with the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots.
Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell is linking up with the most in-demand coach in the world at the moment, Ange Postecoglou. Mitchell and assistant coach Adrian Hickmott have spent the week with Tottenham after also spending time with the Premier League giants during their pre-season trip to Perth.
Some clubs are also looking closer to home, with several Gold Coast coaches set to spend time with teams at the GC 500 Supercars event to see what insights they can bring back to the Suns.
While Nicholson knows an added benefit of these trips is to make the coaching profession look appealing, the constant feedback he receives is that they’re a great way to take a group to the next level.
“We’re very much encouraging, whether it’s this time of year or through the season, doing these types of things,” Nicholson said.
“Clubs can see it as a way to advance their coaching group. Even if it’s the coaching group spending time together … to have them in as good a shape as possible.
“As well as the learnings, there’s also getting overseas in an area where you’re not as noticed when you’re not asked about football.”
Nicholson is also hopeful that as the success of these trips continues to grow, they’ll be able to get AFLW coaches involved more regularly.
WHERE COACHES ARE HEADED THIS OFF-SEASON
Adelaide Crows
Adelaide head coach Matthew Nicks and head of football Adam Kelly opted to go across the ditch to spend a week inside one of the most successful sporting organisations in the world.
The pair travelled to Wellington to work with New Zealand Rugby. While the All Blacks and their coaches are currently preparing for the World Cup final in France, Nicks and Kelly spent time with Super Rugby coaches and managers, as well as presenting to a conference at the NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport.
Fremantle
It’s not just the coaches getting involved at the Dockers, with Justin Longmuir and several of his Fremantle players heading to the US this off-season.
Gold Coast
Damien Hardwick has settled in on the Gold Coast and after a long trip to Europe earlier in the year, he’s opted for a quiet off-season in preparation for 2024.
However, some of his assistants will be spending time with the Supercars teams when they come to town for the GC 500 this weekend. They’re hoping to take in some different perspectives of how a team operates to bring back some insights for the Suns as they look to make their first finals appearance.
GWS
Several members of staff, including coach of the year Adam Kingsley, have headed overseas as the Giants look to go one better in 2024.
Kingsley is off to America where he is spending a large chunk of time in Florida with the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers. He’s then set to move up the coast to both Boston and Philadelphia.
Other coaches are off to Europe to learn from some of the world’s best football teams. They’ll head to Kylian Mbappe’s PSG before also spending time at legendary Italian club, Parma.
Hawthorn
Sam Mitchell and his assistant Adrian Hickmott have spent a week with Premier League giants, Tottenham.
Spurs are the talk of the town under Aussie manager Ange Postecoglou, and Mitchell is linking up again with the former Socceroos boss after also spending time with him while he was at Celtic.
Melbourne
After taking some well-deserved time off after a long season, Simon Goodwin travelled to New Zealand for several days at the end of October for professional development.
North Melbourne
Alastair Clarkson has turned to the US again as he takes on a two-week trip to the west coast.
He is set to visit two American sporting powerhouses, the San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors, as he prepares for his second season with the Kangaroos.
Sydney
A trio of Sydney coaches – John Longmire, Dean Cox and Jarrad McVeigh – have been put through their paces with a busy US trip.
They started with a four-day executive leadership course at Harvard, before staying in Massachusetts to spend time with both the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots.
They’re ending their trip with some time in New York where they will work with both the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Rangers.
West Coast
After a difficult year on the field, the Eagles have three coaches, including Adam Simpson, heading overseas for professional development.
Simpson will travel to the US alongside strategy and stoppages coach Jarrad Schofield. Forwards coach Luke Webster will be off to New Zealand before the end of the year.
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