Welcome AFL Ontario faithful to another interesting addition of 'Coaches Corner' where we continue with our in-depth look into AFL Ontario coaches.
This week we we visit with the head coach of the Broadview Hawks, Kevin Bridgman.
Name | Nickname(s)
Kevin Bridgman
Bridgy
Town | City - Born, Raised, Years in Canada Born in Toronto.
Raised in Niagara-on-the-Lake. (not a footy town) Came back to Toronto to attend University
Age
43...will be 44 in July.
Years Playing Footy
-started playing way too late....in 2003...retired in 2011 at age 41.
Winning rookie of the year at 33-the oldest Hawk to do so....with only 2 other candidates in the running must have given me the confidence to stick with the sport.
Years Coaching Footy
This is my second year Coaching the Hawks.
I ran water, and gave quarter-time intel to Coach Royle in 2012.
How did you come to be at the Broadview Hawks?
A work colleague of mine had played for the Hawks for years - and started askign me to come out and play. His Monday morning bruises/black eyes/sprains, etc did not inspire me to join in a hurry. I had played lacrosse and football....but thought that full contact without equipment was a bit much When I finally accepted....I realized I should never have waited. I was hooked right away. A game of footy has to be the best outlet for stress and life frustrations there is. Not to mention the much needed fitness.
Childhood Sporting Hero
Daryl Sitler, Mike Palmateer, Gilbert Perrault, Danny Gare, Tiger Williams....loved watching a body check or wrist-shot by Wendl Clark!
Current Sporting Hero
Any big wave surfer - insane bravery.
Kelly Slater....still so dominant at his age is amazing to see.
Kessel/JVR/Bozak was great to watch when they were "on". Heartbreaking when they weren't.
How did you get into coaching?
They simply asked me....and I accepted.
I played with a core group of the Hawks, and they were looking to get out of the pattern of having a playing Aussie Coach.....they also wanted a Canadian at the helm so that Canadian players might actually understand the slang terms used at trainings and in huddles. Who says "Up the guts!"....What's wrong with "Play to the middle."?
Having played with some of the Hawks still in the Club, I thought it would be a great experience to continue to be a part of the team, but not feel the bodily pain every Sunday.
I figured I'd have started my Coaching career with my little girl's sporting choice....not a group of guys like the Hawks - and by that I mean, these guys take footy/pubbing/work/bbqing/current and future Hawkettes/footy trips/sportsmanship to a new level.
Have you taken any coaching courses?
No. Playing a few years under Coach Walter ......and getting to play with the Hawks I did taught me a lot about the game.
How do you find being on the sidelines coaching as opposed to being on the field coaching?
I'd much prefer to be in the backline with my guys....but.......
What makes you unique as a coach? What is your style?
I'm not sure I have a style. I wasn't a vocal player.....so trying to vocalize as a Coach was hard at first - but Footy demands you use your voice.
I try to communicate as clearly as I can.....and use other sports references (hockey, lacrosse, basketball) for Canadians or rookies so that they can visualize what is supposed to happen.
Any current drill or exercise you currently like to do a lot at training?
I combined a footy pick-up drill that focused on choice-making before making a handball, and turned into a series of game scenarios to move the ball smartly downfield. Happy with that one.
Another favourite is goal kicking....where the players choose their own punishment for themselves if they miss....or for the team if they make the kick. Always a fun one.
What would you say are your biggest challenges at the club and also your biggest rewards? Particularly in coaching guys that are new to the sport and learning the game.
Biggest challenges are getting guys to respond to my emails so I know if they are playing or not-starting lineups don't make themselves.
Biggest reward was winning the Club's first Premiership last year. I'd been to a Grand Final as a player...but lost to the Eagles. Not fun.
Coaching new guys is great....I stress that they watch as much AFL as possible so they know how the game should look - it was the only way I could visualize where the ball/players should be when I started. New guys get absorbed into the Hawks very well.....so at each training session we have lots of great players to help show them the ropes-the pressure is not all on me.
How are the Hawks looking in 2014?
We are looking good so far - we've had some great additions to the Club this year.
We could use some recruits though.....so for you 75-100 Rebels that aren't getting a run each week....come on over to Broadview. (don't edit that our
Morgz)
Do the Hawks have many guys heading to the International Cup this year? Could that tournament potentially leave some holes at a crucial time of year?
Our Captain Pablo Pineda-Willis, and our ruck Stinger are members of Northwind.....but are not making the trip to Oz.....so we are in great shape.
Thanks for the interview and good luck to you and the Hawks for the rest of the season!
Last Modified on 11/07/2014 03:39