May 17, 2007
Tasmanian Institute of Sport Football Coaches
There are some strong rumours that FFT have targetted two influential coaches to head the new TIS (Football) department:
Bruce Stowell: A well credentialed football coach having previously coach the Brisbane Strikers in the old NSL but most recently at the QAS (Queensland Academy of Sport) as their head coach. Stowell has also been assitant coach of the Australian U/17 Joeys.
Stowell has recently resigned from the QAS so in a good position to take up the TIS role.
As a coach Stowell has had some very good results, none more so than being able to boast, while as head coach of the QAS, the inclusion of more players in National, International & A-League roles than any other state or regional programme. An interesting aside here that the current FFT Development Coach, David Abela was previously the QAS regional coach under Stowell (1994-5) at the QAS.
Vicki Linton: currently Technical Director for Women at Sydney University SFC, having recently moved on from her role as Head Coach for Manly United FC. She has experience of coaching junior and senior teams in Australia, the USA and UK. In 2004 she was Asst Coach to the Boston Renegades, a W-League team in the US and in 2003 coached at a UK League Championship School of Excellence. As well as her Australian coaching qualifications she has her UEFA B & FA Level 2 licences from the UK. As a player Vicki represented NSW at U19 and senior level and Australia at the World University Games in 1993. She played for more than 10 years in the NSW Super League, captaining Marconi between 1996 – 99. She played also for UMass, one of the top colleges in the US
At this stage neither coach has been secured as there are still a few issues such as money to finalise but FFT will have done well if they can secure Stowell even if it’s just to get the programme up and running in the next 12-24 months.
More positive moves from FFT…If they keep doing good things I might have to start complimenting them more. Ah well…if we’re gonna throw bricks at them we had better throw compliments when they are due?
One thing I am unclear on with these appointments….are they being made by the TIS in consultation with FFT or are they being made by FFT with support from the TIS. There is a difference both in funding and technical support.
Comment by A whisper — May 19, 2007 @ 10:04 am
There is most definitely a callobarative approach. If you read the position description for the TIS coaching jobs, the successful coach is expected to work withing the TIS system as it currently stands but is also answerable and to take direction from FFT and the C & D Manager (David Abela)
Comment by Blackjack — May 19, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Thankks BJ…and a few more investigations from me over the week end have discovered that FFT were a driving force behind this so all credit to them (yes it was me that said that). I am not after FFT just for the sake of it…I am after them to do the right thing by the game…in my opinion this is a good move and deserves credit. I wonder whose idea it was…..
Comment by A Whisper — May 21, 2007 @ 11:03 am
If only FFT realised that MOST people aren’t out to get them. Most of us want to see the game improve as a ‘whole’ rather than just our individual clubs. By the same token you don’t want to see your club suffer under that administration either.
I do get the feeling Martin Shaw has developed a seige mentality but in this sport, in this state, you can’t afford to be a 9-5 administrator. You need to be close to the people.
A lot of people bag out David Smith and his administration but from my view you knew where you stood with Smithy and you also knew he was doing his utmost to improve the game.
The current administration are more elitist and tend to live in glass towers. Not a satisfactory scenario in a state that has a population of less than 1/2 million.
BTW…I’m till waiting for a response to my e-mail Martin.
Comment by Blackjack — May 21, 2007 @ 11:46 am
The current Board govern the old Board administered .
Comment by Brian Roberts — May 21, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
I’m appalled at aspects of FFT. The admin appears reluctant to take on the mantle of greater media coverage, for reasons only known to themselves. There is no time like the present. The profile of the game has never been greater. What does Martin Shaw’s job description entail? If he is reluctant to try and gain greater media exposure for the code and he is a full-time paid official, who does he consider should assume this responsibility? This position of reticence was also espoused to me by Neil Connell some years ago.
I have also failed to have replies to emails from FFT, which would only have been in FFT’s best interests. It appears to be the case where one has to know the right questions to ask in order to for FFT to be galvanised into action, rather than FFT being proactive in any real sense.
There is an axiomatic perception about FFT’s inertia from stakeholders I know in three clubs. The bemusing facet of this perplexing scenario, is the clubs installed the board!
I would have thought a major part of the CEO’s job description would have involved Martin Shaw et al trying to convince bigger business to invest in football as a viable sport?
If these coaches are appointed, I only hope they are good choices for the positions. I have viewed quite a few elite coaches recently and have been surprised at the ad hoc approach. Some have players barely touching the ball, with others emphasising many touches per player in a training session. Craig Foster alludes to ball touches as being significant. English players touch the ball less than Dutch/French players, who in turn touch the ball less than Brazilian players. We all know who has the best technique!
Comment by Decentric — May 22, 2007 @ 12:16 am
Decentric…..For something like 15 years to my knowledge clubs and individuals have been complaining about not receiving responses from FFT…must be the job because they have NEVER got it right. When Martin Shaw started he had the chance to put in place a new mentality but it would appear that the controllers on the Board have stifled any creative desires he may have had. BJ I am not so much of a fan of David Smith as you seem to be but I will say, without fear of contradiction, that David did work very hard doing a lot of things that were not in his job description, like opening the gates at Queenswalk on a Saturday morning and then being abused for being late.
Elitist is a good word BJ but I am not sure the towers are glass. If they were we could see what they were doing, at the moment we can ponly see what they are not. If you read the FFT Consitution, what rights do the Clubs actually have? Who are the shareholders in this company of ours? THat sort of investigation mught prove interesting.
Comment by A whisper — May 22, 2007 @ 9:22 am
Did anyone here ABC Radio this morning??
I have been informed Bruce Stowell was interviewed and claimed he was to commence at FFT/TIS on 12th June.
Apparently FFT hasn’t released this info yet. Either way if this is the case, and I have no reason to believe it isn’t as I doubt Bruce would claim he has a starting date when he didn’t, this is a FABULOUS achievement and FFT should be congratulated.
Welcome aboard Bruce, I hope we don’t frighten you TOO much!!
Comment by Blackjack — May 23, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
decentric - FFT are working with others to improve media coverage. watch out for announcements in the next month.
Comment by sj — May 23, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
I wonder where the announcements will come from….looks like Bruce Stowell beat the local press release again…good one guys!
Comment by A whisper — May 24, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Media Release Media Release Media Release Media Release
COACHES FOR TASMANIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT FOOTBALL PROGRAMS ANNOUNCED
The Tasmanian Institute of Sport has announced that Bruce Stowell and Vicki Linton have been appointed to coach the TIS Men’s and Women’s Football programs.
In announcing the appointments, the Minister for Community Development, Michelle O’Byrne, highlighted the experience that both coaches brought to their role and the important part they would play in the process of developing Tasmania’s elite football players.
“Mr Stowell comes to the position of men’s coach with a long coaching history and was most recently responsible for implementing football development programs in Queensland”, said the Ms. O’Byrne.
“Ms Linton has had a diverse coaching career, coaching junior teams to Australian national championship success and holding a variety of senior club team appointments in England and the USA.”
Football Federation Tasmania is pleased with the appointments, believing they will make an important contribution to the player development pathway within the state.
“We are very happy that two such experienced and well credentialed coaches have been secured for the TIS programs,” said FFT CEO, Martin Shaw.
“Bruce has coaches at National League level and with national junior teams, as well as running the Queensland Academy of Sport football program for five years, during which time it has consistently produced players for the AIS and Australian junior teams.
“Vicki also has experience in the institute system, having previously held a coaching role with the women’s program at the NSW Institute of Sport, has coached at state level in NSW as well as senior coaching roles in the UK and the United States.”
The commencement of the TIS programs caps off almost two years of negotiations and planning involving the TIS, FFT and Football Federation Australia.
“The support provided by the TIS in the planning and recruitment process has been exceptional,” said Mr. Shaw, “and without their invaluable assistance Tasmania would not have been able to secure candidates of this quality.”
The TIS programs have been made possible by State Government’s four-year $800,000 election commitment to boost the sport at both elite and grassroots levels, with further additional provided by Football Federation Australia.
In addition to the coaching expertise of Mr Stowell and Ms Linton, squad members will have access to a range of professional services, including sports science, sports medicine, physiological testing, strength and conditioning advice, nutrition and recovery techniques specific to the sport of football.
END COPY
Comment by Blackjack — May 25, 2007 @ 4:51 pm