Champions IGA Bendigo Braves Womens Team Head Coach Mark Alabakov recently had the opportunity to participate in the AFL Next Coach Program.

Mark was one of 12 coaches selected nationally to participate in the program for the 2022 intake, which is designed as a bridging course for Assistant Coaches and Players that wish to become Head Coaches.

The course is run by former long-term AFL Assistant Coach, Coach Educator, Author and Leadership Consultant, David Wheadon.

During the pandemic, the AFL opened this course to codes other than football. The 2022 intake featured AFL and AFLW Assistant Coaches, elite AFL players like Daniel Rich and Steele Sidebottom and our very own Mark Alabakov as the only coach selected from another sporting code.

The course was 10 weeks of intensive study, lectures and group discussion around the art of coaching and dissecting what makes a coach a high performer and impactful leader.

The majority of the AFL’s current Head Coaches are former graduates of the course.

Red Energy Arena are proud to be able to support and encourage our people to participate in personal and professional development like this course.

“I absolutely loved the course and am super thankful to Dennis Bice and Red Energy Arena for giving me the opportunity to better myself and my service to our Bendigo Braves athletes through this professional development endeavour” Said Mark.

Well done Mark!

To learn more about the program visit: aflcoaches.com.au/afl-players-afl-coaches-next-coach-program