JETTA AWARDED 2022 PHIL WALSH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Collingwood Development Coach, Neville Jetta, was announced as the recipient of the seventh Phil Walsh Memorial Scholarship, at the AFL Coaches Association AGM held online on Wednesday.
Jetta, widely respected in the industry for his contribution to the game on and off the field throughout his 13-year, 159-game playing career at the Demons, joined Collingwood at the completion of his playing career. He has had an immediate impact on all those around him, in a role which sees him take on development and mentoring responsibilities.
The Phil Walsh Memorial Scholarship was created following his tragic death in July 2015. The winner receives a $10,000 prize, to help develop coaches to follow the example Phil set during his coaching career.
Jetta, who has completed his Level 2 Coaching Accreditation and the AFL Coaches Association’s Next Coach Program, was awarded the scholarship based on commitment to the development of his coaching craft, a desire to keep bringing the best version of himself to benefit all those around him and his drive to bring diversity to coaching and impact the next generation of Indigenous players to “be what you can see”.
As a player Jetta was a representative on the Indigenous Advisory Board and the AFL Players' Board, and fronted a number of community initiatives, in mental health, healthy lifestyle, responsible gambling, anti-bullying, and anti-racism. He has also worked with Indigenous youth through Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) and Parade College. He was the winner of the 2018 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award and since 2019 has been an Ambassador for Tackle Your Feelings – a mental health training program for community coaches.
AFL Coaches Association CEO Alistair Nicholson congratulated Neville Jetta and reflected on the impact Phil Walsh made to football and coaching.
“Announcing the winner of the Phil Walsh Memorial Scholarship is important for the AFLCA members, it’s a wonderful way to remember Phil’s relentless curiosity and real care for people, and impact he had on many of our members and the industry” Nicholson said.
“It was an impressive field of nominations and extremely tight vote that resulted in Neville Jetta being recognised for his immediate impact at the Pies and visible coaching potential. This scholarship at the start of Neville’s coaching career will assist him to greatly develop and fast track his will to provide great impact at Collingwood and throughout the industry.
“We are committed to promoting diversity within the AFL and AFLW coaching ranks and while Neville has earned this reward for the potential he's shown as a coach first and foremost, we hope that his progression through the profession helps to inspire other Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people.
Jetta was honoured to be accepting the Phil Walsh Memorial Scholarship.
“I am honoured and proud to have been awarded the Phil Walsh Memorial Scholarship by the AFLCA. Phil Walsh was someone who continued to get the best out of himself to better those around him on and off the field and those are the qualities I’d like to embody.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity from Collingwood to start my coaching career and blessed to have some great mentors around me. I’m already learning a lot about myself in this coaching world and having fun.” Jetta said.
“I will be using the opportunity to continue to grow my education and development to become the best coach and person I can be. The next step in my development is Level 3, as well as looking to explore and learn from different codes, in particular the NRL. I would love to be part of their yearly All Stars Indigenous camp/game, I’ve had tremendous admiration for how they’ve continued to inspire and grow the game in the Indigenous community, whilst culturally educating those through the power of sport."
New Collingwood Senior Coach, Craig McRae gave a glowing endorsement of Jetta in his application for the scholarship.
“It’s not too often that younger coaches come in and impact straight away, they usually sit back a bit but with Nev what I’ve been really encouraged by is his ability to speak up in front of not only match committee but the group, he has a real presence already and has formed great connections in a short period of time.” McRae said.
“The sky’s the limit for Nev, he’s a capable young man who I know is driven to be the best he can be but I think it’s bigger than that for him, based upon what he has already displayed in coaching he will be whatever he wants to be.”
PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE PHIL WALSH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:
2016 - Ben Rutten
2017 - Adrian Hickmott
2018 - Aaron Greaves
2019 - Damien Truslove
2020 - Luke Kelly
2021 - Scott Selwood
ENDS
