The demanding world of Australian Rules Football coaching is facing renewed scrutiny, with former Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson shining a spotlight on the significant toll the profession can take on mental and physical wellbeing. In a candid “open letter to the industry,” Sanderson, who led the Crows from 2012 to 2014, has detailed the often-invisible struggles faced by senior coaches and their support staff, urging for greater proactive measures to safeguard their health.
Sanderson’s tenure at the helm of the Crows was marked by immediate success, with the club narrowly missing a Grand Final berth in his inaugural year. Following his departure from Adelaide, he transitioned to an assistant coaching role under Nathan Buckley at Collingwood, dedicating six seasons to the Magpies. This coaching journey followed a respectable playing career, which saw him achieve a best and fairest award with the Geelong Cats in 2001.
Now, at 52 years old, Sanderson presides over the AFL Coaches Association as its chair. This extensive experience, spanning playing, senior coaching, and administrative roles, lends significant weight to his observations and appeals to the industry.
The Silent Toll of Coaching
In his widely published letter, Sanderson implored the AFL industry to bolster its support for the 18 senior coaches and their extensive teams of assistants. He stressed the critical need for resources that genuinely prioritise their health and wellbeing, offering a raw and personal insight into the man he became during his time with the Crows.
Sanderson spoke candidly about his own experiences with emotional instability, admitting, “I was shutting the people out who were trying to help me. I just couldn’t see it at the time. That’s the reality of emotional instability in coaching. It doesn’t announce itself. It sneaks up on you.” He elaborated on the insidious nature of this struggle, describing how it can manifest:
- Increased Agitation: Coaches can become easily agitated with those around them, leading to strained relationships.
- Diminished Tolerance: Patience wears thin, and the ability to tolerate minor setbacks or differing opinions erodes.
- Social Isolation: The once positive and engaging personality can become difficult to be around, requiring conscious effort to maintain outward positivity.
“You become less enjoyable to be around and the positivity that you once exuded becomes something you have to generate consciously,” Sanderson explained, painting a stark picture of the internal battle.
A Call for Industry-Wide Support
Sanderson’s message is a clear and urgent plea for the football industry to collectively improve its approach to coach welfare. He stated, “As a football industry, we need to do a better job of looking after our coaches. The emotional toll on coaches, and senior coaches in particular, is accumulating rapidly. If we don’t get ahead of it, we’re going to be forced to pick up the pieces after a serious incident.”
He outlined several key areas where the AFL can implement tangible improvements:
- Enhanced Education and Professional Development: Providing coaches with ongoing learning opportunities is crucial for their growth and resilience.
- Uniform Termination Clauses: A consistent and fair approach to contract terminations can offer greater security and reduce anxiety.
- Clear Development Pathways: Identifying and nurturing coaching talent through structured programs ensures a sustainable future for the profession.
“We need to ensure coaches have access to education opportunities, including professional development, a uniform approach to termination clauses and genuine pathways for coaches to be identified and developed,” Sanderson asserted.
Securing the Future of Coaching
The AFL industry, Sanderson believes, has a significant opportunity to collaborate and optimise the coaching environment. This proactive approach is vital not only for the wellbeing of current coaches but also for attracting and retaining top talent in the future. “The AFL industry has the opportunity to work together to optimise the environment for coaches, ensuring we continue to attract the best people into the profession. This is vital for the game, now and in the future,” he concluded.
These sentiments resonate deeply, particularly in light of the recent head coaching vacancies at two prominent Victorian clubs, Carlton and Essendon. The positions are often seen as challenging, not only due to the current state of their playing lists but also because of the intense public scrutiny that accompanies such high-profile roles within the AFL landscape. Sanderson’s letter serves as a timely reminder that the human cost of this intense environment must be acknowledged and addressed with concrete action.
