Volunteer coach builds Auskick base across Meander Valley
A teacher volunteers as Auskick coordinator across Meander Valley, stressing that junior footy foundations are crucial for club sustainability.
Alex Wadley runs Auskick sessions for the youngest players across Meander Valley in Tasmania, coaching under-sixes and helping with junior basketball in Westbury. He's also coached women's teams and led the Suns as president.
As a teacher, Wadley brings classroom skills to coaching kids with varying abilities. This year he's brought more senior players into junior development.
Wadley says volunteers are hard to find at club level, but solid grassroots create lasting clubs. He describes watching players grow from kicking poorly to becoming strong competitors as deeply rewarding.
- Meander Valley
- Auskick coordinator
- Under-sixes at Launceston City
- Age group coached
- Six regular contributors
- Senior players supporting juniors
- Teacher
- Profession
Why it mattersGrassroots volunteering keeps junior footy alive; without people like Wadley, young players lose access to coaching and clubs lack sustainable pipelines.
AustraliaTasmanian junior footy clubs depend on unpaid volunteers to run development programs. Coaching shortages are common across regional areas.
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