Director of Football – Geoff Valentine
In December 2007, Guildford Grammar School appointed Mr Geoff Valentine to the position of Director of Football.
Objectives of the program:
· Implement a whole school (K – 12) AFL development program that caters for beginning players through to elite under aged players.
· Encourage ‘life long’ participation and love of our great game
· Continually finish in the Top 3 of the 1st XVIII PSA football competition
· Continue to produce WAFL and AFL players –
o In 2007 GGS produced 4 AFL draftees – Alex Rance to Richmond, Dave Ellard to Carlton, Luke Miles to St Kilda and Cruise Garlett to North Melbourne.
The Director’s Personal Background:
· Possesses a Bachelor of Science (Sports Science) and a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary).
· Accredited Level 2 Australian Rules Football Coach
· Involved in WAFL Premierships with the West Perth FC as both a player (1995) and as a coach (2003)
· Extensive experience as a football administrator with the North Melbourne FC, West Perth FC, West Australian Football League (WAFL), Richmond FC and the AFL.
· Employed by the Richmond FC as their WA Recruitment Coordinator
· Married with 3 children and lives on the school grounds.
Program Staffing:
· Coaching personnel is headed by 1st XVIII Coach, Rick Ellard. Rick is a Level 2 accredited coach who has also been heavily involved with the Swan Districts FC and the W.A. State Under 16’s program over the past few years.
· The combined experiences of Geoff Valentine and Rick Ellard ensure we have an in-depth understanding of WAFL club, State and National development programs, pathways and personnel.
· Medical, administrative, strength & conditioning, nutritional and welfare support staff work diligently with the coaching staff and players to assist the players on going development.
· Having a smaller student group to draw upon was once considered a debilitating weakness however, we now consider this a great strength. We are able to provide individual attention to all our players that no other PSA schools can provide.
Game Style:
· Every student in the program will be integrated into our progressively developed game plans. As the boys move through the Year group teams, the coaching staff will focus on different aspects of our game style in a sequential and holistic manner. Improving all players skill levels and game sense will always be a priority however, we will also:
o Facilitate an understanding of the historical influences on the game
o Demand a ‘respectful’ approach to all involved
o Encourage continued academic achievement
o Promote good citizenship
o Facilitate the development of leadership skills
o Ensure all players understand the work ethic required to succeed.
· While somewhat dependent on our playing personnel, the 1st XVIII game style will:
o Encourage attacking football by running the ball and getting it quickly to high percentage scoring areas
o Be based on a ‘hard 1 on 1’ approach with defensive pressure all over the ground
o Be well structured & disciplined
o Instil ‘selflessness’ in all players
Facilities & Resources:
· Once the ‘poor cousin’ of the PSA in terms of grounds and facilities, the ‘One Campus’ project has ensured that GGS is now at the fore front in terms of playing grounds and facilities. In 2008, we unveiled two fully re-developed playing grounds and the new Foundation Pavilion to complement our weights room, heated pool and indoor training facilities.
· The GGS Football program and Swan Districts FC Development & League programs are heavily inter-twined, providing enormous benefits for both organisations. Aside from sharing knowledge and resources such as statistical packages and video editing equipment, we regularly invite guest coaches from Swan Districts FC to our training sessions.
· The Director’s close personnel relationships with key coaching staff at the West Coast Eagles (both Darren Harris, Forward Transition Coach, & Gavin Bell, Development Coach were involved in the West Perth Premierships in 1995 & 2003 with Geoff Valentine) and his employment with the Richmond FC, means the GGS Football program is continually exposed to the latest innovations, trends and tactics occurring in the AFL.