Michael O’Dwyer has stepped down from his role as the Goulburn Murray VLine Cup Head Coach after 20 years of association with the region’s elite schoolboy footballers.
The VLine Cup is the start of the AFL Player Pathway with the region’s best U15 boys pitting their skills against the best from across regional Victoria. With the 2015 competition being hosted by Latrobe City Council in the September school holidays O’Dwyer will be unavailable due to employment commitments at Barooga Sports Club.
Along with countless club leaders and many successful country footballers 22 players from the Goulburn Murray Schoolboys program have gone on to play AFL during O’Dwyer’s 20 years. Some of this prodigious talent includes Brett Deledio (Kyabram – Richmond), Josh Fraser (Mansfield – Collingwood/Gold Coast) and Steele Sidebottom (Congupna – Collingwood) with recent additions Jarman Impy and Tom Clurey both at the start of their careers at Port Adelaide.
"I have totally enjoyed the whole experience of helping develop future country club and AFL footballers, to become better players and people" noted O’Dwyer. "It has also been great working with other dedicated staff from across the region who give up their time so freely to help improve the standard of football at all levels."
AFL Goulburn Murray Football Development Manager Greg Liddell was lavish in his praise of O’Dwyer’s contribution "Mick has been an outstanding Junior and Youth coach who has developed an strong rapport with all stakeholders."
"He manages his players and staff extremely well and has been an exemplary ambassador for the Goulburn Murray Schoolboys program."
"Mick is an excellent communicator who has demonstrated the extremely high standards required at this level and his contribution to football in our region cannot be under estimated."
Last Modified on 17/11/2014 10:43