Lancefield’s Alan Watson has been named the AFL Goldfields senior netball coach of the year.
Watson, who took the Tigers to the A-grade grand final last month, won the award which is selected from all the coaches across AFL Goldfields’ four leagues.
Watson said he was shocked to receive the award.
“I’m a little humbled,” he said.
“I didn’t really pick up on what was said on the phone when they called me.
“They said they were from AFL Goldfields and I’d won something. I thought I had been scammed.
“I was absolutely shocked and it’s such a big achievement.”
AFL Goldfields netball manager Kim Bailey said Watson was recognised for taking the Tigers top side from seventh last season to a grand final this year.
The Tigers lost the grand final to Romsey 56-40.
The club’s B and C-grade sides also made finals this year.
“He has also given opportunities to local players and some younger girls playing 17 and unders in the junior competition to play at senior level and giving them a pathway from juniors to seniors,” Bailey said.
“He has brought a level of professionalism to the club with his trainings and has created an environment of learning and respect for the club.”
Watson has been in charge of the Tigers netball program since 2014 and they’ve made huge inroads across all grades.
He said it had been a continuous effort to ensure the club continued to improve and that it was a real team effort to get them where they are now.
He said they were hoping to go one step better in the A-grade competition next season.
“Leanne [Backwell, president] and the committee have been fully supportive of the netball program,” he said.
Meanwhile Tigers president Leanne Backwell was nominated for the Essendon Football Club’s Women’s Network VicHealth Community Award.
The award which was presented on Thursday, recognises the contribution of women in football clubs at a community level.
