southerncross
13-05-2007, 07:53 AM
Smith sees a future as coach
FORMER Western Bulldog Rohan Smith has become the latest retiree to dip his toe into the coaching waters.
Smith, who has taken up a part-time position with the AFL's NSW/ACT division, will be an assistant coach during the national under-18 championships next month.
The 33-year-old, who has already worked with NSW/ACT Rams coach Danny Stevens at a live-in camp in Sydney last month, said he looked forward to helping develop the region's young players and learning more about his own coaching aspirations.
"I've got no real aspirations at the moment, but it's certainly something I wouldn't mind getting into one day," Smith said.
"One day I'd love to be a coach, but at this stage this role has been a good fit.
"The kids are all so intrigued about AFL footy. They just want to play and they're asking a lot of questions, which has been really good.
"It gives you great satisfaction that the kids are all wanting to learn and if I can help one of them hopefully become a draftable player, I'd be pretty happy."
The under-18 championships will stretch over 11 days and be played in four states this year, in a change of format.
The division two sides — NSW/ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory — will play in Sydney on the weekend of June 23-24, before playing their final two matches in Geelong and Melbourne two weeks later.
Vic Metro will play its opening match against Western Australia in Perth on Saturday, June 30, Vic Country will play South Australia in Adelaide on the Sunday, and all four teams will then travel to Melbourne, where the carnival wraps up on Tuesday, July 10th.
FORMER Western Bulldog Rohan Smith has become the latest retiree to dip his toe into the coaching waters.
Smith, who has taken up a part-time position with the AFL's NSW/ACT division, will be an assistant coach during the national under-18 championships next month.
The 33-year-old, who has already worked with NSW/ACT Rams coach Danny Stevens at a live-in camp in Sydney last month, said he looked forward to helping develop the region's young players and learning more about his own coaching aspirations.
"I've got no real aspirations at the moment, but it's certainly something I wouldn't mind getting into one day," Smith said.
"One day I'd love to be a coach, but at this stage this role has been a good fit.
"The kids are all so intrigued about AFL footy. They just want to play and they're asking a lot of questions, which has been really good.
"It gives you great satisfaction that the kids are all wanting to learn and if I can help one of them hopefully become a draftable player, I'd be pretty happy."
The under-18 championships will stretch over 11 days and be played in four states this year, in a change of format.
The division two sides — NSW/ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory — will play in Sydney on the weekend of June 23-24, before playing their final two matches in Geelong and Melbourne two weeks later.
Vic Metro will play its opening match against Western Australia in Perth on Saturday, June 30, Vic Country will play South Australia in Adelaide on the Sunday, and all four teams will then travel to Melbourne, where the carnival wraps up on Tuesday, July 10th.