Part C

                                                             AFL Coaching Course Reflection 

Completing the AFL Community Coaching Course deepened my understanding of what effective coaching looks like, particularly in balancing coach-centred and player-centred approaches. I previously viewed the coach mainly as an authority figure who directs and corrects. While this model ensures discipline, it can limit communication and athlete ownership.

The course introduced a more player-centred mindset, encouraging coaches to act as facilitators who guide, support, and listen. I learned that showing empathy, encouraging feedback, and knowing players personally builds stronger motivation and connection. 

Importantly, I realised that adopting a player-centred approach does not mean losing structure — it is about combining well-planned sessions with opportunities for athlete decision-making. This shift helped me see that the best coaches create environments where players feel safe to make mistakes, learn, and grow. This directly influenced my final coaching session, where I deliberately used more open questioning and feedback from the players. These results mirrored the AFL coaching course principles-players showed an increase in autonomy and communication.

The course also emphasised having a clear coaching philosophy to guide decisions and maintain consistency. I connected strongly with the values of enjoyment, inclusion, respect, and development, which align with my personal view of effective coaching. 

It also challenged my old assumption that young athletes are mainly driven by competition and winning. I now understand that fun, connection, and improvement are stronger motivators, especially in community sport. This insight reshaped how I define success — focusing more on creating a positive environment where learning and enjoyment thrive. 

This course has also reinforced the practical relevance of Mosston and Ashworth's spectrum, which has reminded me that even within well-structured drills, having moments of guided discovery can promote deeper learning.

Moving forward, I aim to apply these lessons to my planning, communication, and athlete development. I will focus sessions around enjoyment, creativity, and teamwork, while keeping communication open and empathetic. I will continue encouraging athletes to take ownership through reflection and decision-making, both during and after games.