Skehan to nurture
South West Academy of Sport football players now have former league coach Mark Skehan to help them rise through the ranks.
11 May 2009
Skehan has been appointed as the academy’s head football coach, replacing Dylan Harper who is pursuing a career in another field.
He joins SWAS after spending the past two years establishing the Clontarf South West Football Academy in Bunbury and seeing students such as Neville Jetta drafted into the AFL.
Skehan said he was excited about his new position, which involves overseeing talent development pathways for some of the region’s most promising athletes.
‘‘I’m looking forward to working with the existing squads, maintaining the quality of the program and also beginning to identify the next intake of players,’’ he said.
‘‘The academy is offering an excellent program that gives athletes access to a level of expertise they would not ordinarily get.’’
Academy chief executive Bernice Butlion welcomed Skehan to the SWAS team, saying he brought a wealth of experience to his new role.
‘‘Mark has great knowledge of both football and education and will be an asset to the academy,’’ she said. ‘‘He has been a teacher in the South West including at Bunbury and Australind high schools and has been involved in football as a coach and a player.
‘‘He coached Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault and Bunbury football clubs and as a player, made his mark at Carey Park, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault and Bunbury, and also in the WAFL. He has also been a State country fitness coach.
‘‘He’ll bring a lot to the academy.’’
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