Former Geelong Dual premiership captain Tom Harley has taken up a role as a Mentor and Assistant coach at the Australian Institute of Sports AFL Academy. Harley joins the likes Michael O’Loughlin, Gary Lyon and Matthew Lloyd who have also joined the AFL program at the AIS.
Since retiring Harley has moved to Sydney, wed and joined the Channel 7 AFL team. On the appointment Harley has said “I am excited about the challenge of working with young players to become better footballers and assisting in their development as leaders off the field.” Harley who played 198 AFL games has earmarked his desire to work with he younger talent across the country “After 11 seasons with the Geelong Football Club I feel I have a lot to offer the game’s elite young players,”
The Institutes director Professor Peter Fricker has expressed that Harley’s appointment was a huge boost to the AIS coaching staff. Fricker noted “Tom has proven himself to be a quality AFL player and captain of the Geelong Football Club, his tremendous knowledge and experience of the game will undoubtedly help our group of talented footballers reach their potential,”
Harley’s experience and overall respect in the football community looks to have been a major part of him being appointed to this position. With the AFL’s general manager of game development David Matthews saying “Throughout his career, Tom has established himself as one of the AFL’s most respected players, setting a positive example both on and off the field . . . His leading role in the anti-violence ‘Just Think’ campaign is testament to his strong character and ability as a positive role-model for our emerging talent.”
Tags: AFL, AIS, Tom Harley
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