Season 2015 is already shaping up as a massive year for the region, with expansion in our women's competitions and numerous key events taking shape.
However, the region has also had massive change with former AFL Queensland staff Dion Obst and David Harding moving onto bigger and better things in their careers. What this does mean is the region has new faces of them and one of those new faces is Dean Backwell.
Dean or 'Deano' a born and bred Queenslander who grew up in Hervey Bay was appointed the regions Development Coordinator for AFL Queensland in January.
Coming from a strong family pedigree including his brother who was listed Carlton and awarded the Liston Medal (Best and Fairest for the VFL) as well as the Magarey Medal (SANFL Best and Fairest), along with his father who is a dual Grogan Medalist (QAFL Best and Fairest) and all-time leading goal-kicker for the state league competition.
Dean himself is quite an accomplished community footballer, taking out AFL Wide Bay's highest individual men's accolade the Stedman Medal in 2013. And also one of a few players to receive the Taryn Horner-Smith Medal for best on ground in a representative clash between Wide Bay and Capricornia.
Selection in the 2001 and 2002 Under 18 Queensland Country Kookaburra side is something Deano will always remember, he hold his Coolangatta premiership in 2003 as one of his greatest footballing achievements to date.
A North Melbourne supporter, who grew up idolising Barry Cable and Wayne Schwass and watching every bit of footage he could find of the duo. However, his father Owen is who Deano looks up to most and it is not only his footballing ability that he admires but also the lessons about life he has learnt.
Deano also gives a lot of credit to his coaches from the '01 and '02 Kookaburra's sides who taught him that there is a lot to football than just playing.
After 4 years as a casual Development Officer for AFL Queensland in the Wide Bay region, Backwell wanted to challenge himself with a new role, within a new area. Keep an eye out for Deano and as the Eimeo Road State School Auskickers have nick-named him Princess Cupcake.
Dean Backwell
Development Coordinator - Mackay
Ph: (07) 4951 0622 | Em: Dean.Backwell@aflq.com.au | Mob: 0403 190 702
Last Modified on 08/03/2015 15:24