STEERING A COURSE FOR SUCCESS
Steering a Course for Success
Michael ‘Mick’ Stinear.
As the inaugural coach of the Melbourne Football Club’s AFL Women’s team, Michael Stinear (2002) has earned himself a place in history. A former Australian rules football player and two-time TAC Cup Premiership Coach, Stinear steered the Melbourne Women’s team to the precipice of finals success two years in a row. Last year’s finals were cancelled due to COVID-19, but without missing a beat Stinear steered his team to another Preliminary Final this year. After a promising start as an AFL rookie and a solid track record in coaching and game development, Stinear joined the Melbourne Football 18 | DE LA SALLE COLLEGE
Club in 2016 as its first AFLW coach. Five years on, he has learned a lot about the game and his role as a coach. “I’ve learnt a great deal in my five seasons at Melbourne. My biggest lesson is that simplicity is best. Each year I try to simplify messaging to players, streamlining game style and giving clarity to staff and players about their roles.” “We have had many players with limited football experience and often from other sporting codes, so I’m constantly learning about the best ways to teach the fundamentals of the game and assist in fast tracking their development.”
“The opportunity to coach and work with high performing women from a diverse range of backgrounds has been great for my development but also on a personal level it is very rewarding for our family with so many relationships and moments shared with great people.” “Being the coach of Melbourne’s AFLW team has been a very rewarding experience. We are yet to achieve the ultimate success of a premiership, but to see the growth of the game and development of individuals as players and people has been thoroughly rewarding.” “This was an amazing opportunity to be part of assembling a brand-new
