By Kristen Alebakis
DESPITE facing some challenges in his first few months of coaching, Paul Chapman says he is loving every minute of being involved with the Werribee Districts.
The former three-time Geelong premiership player was unveiled as the coach of Division 1 side, Werribee Districts, in October.
Since his appointment, Chapman has been busy implementing a new game plan, recruiting the best talent he can and setting short term goals for his new team.
With Round 1 only eight weeks away, he says his team is adjusting well to his direction.
“It’s been challenging, it is the first time I have coached these guys, but they have all been great and listening to what I have to say,” he said.
“We have been working on our fitness levels and slowly learning our new game plan.
“I think the guys are really enjoying learning the game plan, it is something they really want to adopt, and something they have wanted, so hopefully in our upcoming practice matches it holds up.”
After retiring from Essendon last year, Chapman said it was a natural decision to enter the coaching arena, but says he hasn’t got any ambitions to become an AFL coach, just yet.
“I was a leader when I played footy, so it made sense (to become a coach),” he said.
“I am loving it (coaching) more than I thought I would.
“The commitment to be a coach at AFL level is huge, so to be able to coach in the Western Region is a good fit for me.
“I have learnt a lot about myself as a coach and as a person. I’ve also learnt a lot about football clubs and what it takes to run the club off the park.
“It has been a real eye-opener.”
On the football side of things, Werribee has been busy adding some talent their young list.
Josh Huxtable, a Footscray listed player in 2015, and Rhyce Prismall, the brother of former Geelong and Essendon player, Brent Prismall, will be lining-up for the club this year.
“They are both quality players and they both set good examples, they are the kind of people I want to coach,” Chapman said.
“There is a about five or six guys that are having a good impact on the group and setting high standards.
“Matt Dean is another who is setting high standards and demanding more of the players.”
Chapman said he hasn’t been tempted to pull on the jumper and play this season.
“I haven’t thought about it (playing),” he said.
“I probably won’t play, I haven’t done a whole lot of training, I’m 100 per cent focussed on coaching.”
Last Modified on 11/02/2016 15:52