Cougars coach achieves top accreditation

GEELONG Netball Club coach Gerard Murphy has reached the highest level of coaching qualification in Australia, achieving his High Performance Coaching Accreditation (HPCA).

Murphy, who coaches the Cougars in the Victorian Netball League (VNL), led the Cougars to two premierships (19/U and Division 1) last year.

Beginning at the club in 2008 as an assistant coach, Gerard has been pivotal in the Cougars’ success in recent years, as well as 2018, with all three Cougars’ divisions sitting in the top four.

The HPCA is the pinnacle of Netball Australia’s coaching accreditation pathway and prepares coaches to operate to a high standard in an elite environment, targeting the highest level state league, Deakin University Australian Netball League and Suncorp Super Netball coaches.

Murphy began the HPCA course in November 2016 and completed it over the next 18 months, including practical and theory assignments as well as match day assessments.

“I am now qualified to coach at Suncorp Super Netball level, which is a thrilling prospect,” he said.

“In the short term, I am excited about implementing the learning with the Geelong Cougars and continuing to support our extremely talented athletes and coaching group to achieve their goals and perform at their best.

“It’s awesome to be part of a very small group of people who have achieved this milestone.”

Murphy’s roles in the Netball Victoria pathway extend beyond just the VNL, previously having roles as an assistant coach of the state 19/U team, and a head coach in the zone academy program, which assists in the development of talented players, coaches, umpires and team managers.

Murphy was also a high achiever as a player, representing Victoria from 2003 to 2009 and captaining the Australian Men’s Under 23 team from 2003-2005.