Our Juniors are our FUTURE
Proudly Sponsored by:
The Thuringowa Bulldogs AFC understand that our future strength lies in developing our Junior members.
With this is mind we ensure that all coaches have the correct accreditations and understand that building confidence and developing skills is paramount to success. Our coaches are aligned to our #one club policy which is about inclusion and working together to achieve our goals. We pride ourselves on the way we play and how we are off the field, our culture in this regard reflects our promise of being the best family club in Townsville.
Meet our 2021 Junior Coaches
Jake Heers has been appointed as the Bulldogs Under 17's coach for 2020!
Jake has been a fantastic junior coach at the club for the best part of a decade, coaching numerous premierships, before making the jump to serve as an assistant coach with the seniors and reserves in the last two seasons.
Why do you coach?
I’m super passionate about the footy club and it’s people, past, present and emerging. The development of our juniors is something I’ve always been heavily invested in. To see so many ex-juniors now playing senior footy across both grades is amazing and something I would like to see continue on. I love coaching because it’s not just about football, over the years you get to see them grow into the amazing people they are today and to be apart of that journey is pretty special.
What’s your favourite coaching photo?
One with Dominic Morrison after an Under/14 premiership win back in 2012 after we came back to win after being 5 goals down at three-quarter time!
Congratulations to Jake, it’s fantastic to have him on board and we wish him all the best for 2020!
Ben Payne is the Bulldogs Under 15's coach for 2020!
Ben is an extraordinary helper at the club, serving in numerous roles, often being one of the first to arrive and last to leave at home games. Ben has coached at the club for number of years now and this will be his second season as coach of the 15's.
Why do you coach?
I coach to grow young men, watch them learn and develop as a team, AFL teaches young people so much about being part of a team and working out how they can contribute.
Each season is a new season with a new group and I can't wait to see what the 2020 Bulldogs 15's group brings in this the club's 50th year.
What’s your favourite coaching photo?
2018 Under 13's together after the grand final.
It’s fantastic to have Ben on board for 2020 and we wish him the best of luck!
Reiley Guest has been appointed coach of the Bulldogs U13 Blue team for 2020!
Reiley was the Coach of last year’s Under 13 Premiership team, Reiley is also a member of the club’s senior team.
Why do you coach?
I coach to help junior footballers become better footballers and people, just like my junior coaches did to me when I was growing up. Just as well, ’giving back’ was a trait that was instilled in me at a young age, and is something I strive to always do. Helping the Bulldogs develop their juniors into one day becoming senior footballers is another motivator, as I was once a junior at the club.
What's your favourite coaching photo?
My favourite coaching photo is one taken with my youngest brother Stuart which was taken after last year's grand final win. Having taught him footy from the day he could walk, it was pretty special to coach him to a premiership. Stuart later had the photo framed, and given to me as a present.
Congratulations to Reiley, and best of luck for 2020!
Robert Lambert has been appointed coach of the Thuringowa Bulldogs Under 11 team for 2020!
Robert was the Under 9's coach in 2019, and brings a wealth of experience having traveled away as manager/coach of several NQ School teams to state carnivals.
Why do you coach?
I believe I have a lot to offer in junior footy. My philosophy of coaching is to promote and develop friendships, skills, fitness and foremost fun. I love all aspects of AFL footy. Playing, watching, supporting, coaching and even umpiring. I would like to share that passion with the kids that I coach.
What’s your favourite coaching photo?
This was the first Northern team to compete in the U12 State Championships. I was part of a small team that had to jump through a lot of hoops to make this happen, to prove to Townsville and Queensland schools sports that we were able to field a team and be competitive. An AFL player and NBA player in this group.
(Robert is far right in the middle row)
Congratulations to Robert and best of luck for 2020!
Ric Green has been appointed coach of this year's Under 11 Red team!
After coaching the Under/11 Blue last year (which he's pictured with), Ric is back to take on the same role in different colours.
Why do you coach?
I started out intending to just help out at training with my boys, but over the last 4 years with the club I saw the impact that positive encouragement can have and wanted to be involved in a more official capacity. My main aim is to help the kids reach their potential and to do so in a safe, positive, supportive environment. I aim to focus on fun and fitness while developing skills and teamwork and can’t wait for the season to roll around.
It's fantastic to have Ric on board again for 2020 and we wish him all the best!
Josh ’Mullet’ Hollis is the Bulldogs Superstars (Under 7's) coach for 2020!
Mullet (pictured with his son Oakley at Superstars last year) is back for another year after beginning his coaching journey last season.
Why do you coach?
Football has been a life long passion of mine, and I always knew if I had children, I wanted to be able to coach and be involved with their football journey as much as I could. Being apart of the Bulldogs has allowed myself to live out my dream of coaching and building up the next football generation, and I am beyond grateful for this experience to do so. Every week being able to witness and be a part of the children's excitement when they master a skill they have been practising for and seeing them work together as a team, and just the sheer fun they get out of football as I did as a child, makes being their coach so rewarding.
I am looking forward to another great year with the Superstars!
It's fantastic to have Mullet back on board for 2020 and we wish him all the best!
