Newly appointed State Academy coach, Andrew Hodges, discusses his football journey coaching and philosophy.
BY DAVE KENNEDY
Andrew Hodges’s coaching journey is summed up neatly in a quote from one of his favourite books; Jim Collins’s Good to Great. It reads: “Great vision without great people is irrelevant”.
Hodges- the newly appointed Northern Territory State Academy Development Coach who will oversee the state talent program- believes the individuals who have mentored him during his time in football have largely contributed to his coaching philosophy.
“From the minute you start playing footy, from your first under 10s coach right through to spending time with Xavier Clark, they’ve all helped mould my philosophy,” Hodges said.
Hodges, who as part of his role will coach the Northern Territory Under 18s side at National Championships, has served as an assistant to a number of premiership coaches including Jason Cotter, Rick Nolan, Brenton Toy and Michael McLean.
And even now as the Wanderers Football Club senior coach, he still picks the brains of his mentors.
“I spent Saturday afternoon watching the footy with Michael McLean. He’s been a great mentor to not only me, but my kids also.”
But as a coach, Hodges is also driven by his own intrinsic values.
“I like to set an environment for people where they can be their best and exceed their potential. I want my players to be comfortable so they can perform at their best.”
Hodges moves into his full time coaching role having come from a business background, however, football has always influenced his professional persona.
“My footy actually influenced the way I was as a manager. Working in a team environment where I had 35 staff, I almost treated them like a football team.”
With the opening of the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre imminent, Hodges is excited about his role moving forward.
“The resources it will give players from senior level, right through to the Michael Long academy at under 14s level, is exciting.
“Young players are going to have an opportunity to get a taste of what it would be like to train and play at a higher level and that should help motivate them to want to get to that level.”
State academy training is expected to begin in February.