AFL Tasmania is excited to announce the appointment of Tasmanian star Bradley Cox-Goodyer into the role of Talent Pathways Skill Acquisition Coach.
Cox-Goodyer has been one of the most decorated local footballers in Tasmania across the last decade and will now work to develop 12–15-year-old boys and girls in Tasmania’s brand-new regional academies.
He joins AFL Tasmania from North Launceston where he has had a glittering coaching and playing career, including 242 games and 431 goals, five TSL premierships, two Lynch medals (TSL Best and Fairest), two Baldock Medals (TSL Grand Final Best on Ground), one Peter Hudson Medal and nine times TSL Team of the Year. He also played for Tasmania in 2017 and captained the state in 2023. Since 2021 he has served as playing coach of North Launceston where he has ushered through a new generation of North Launceston players and drawn plaudits for his ability to nurture and develop young people.
Cox-Goodyer’s strong football knowledge and background in skill development of young players, made him a standout candidate for the role. The role has a skill acquisition focus in driving fun and fulfilling academy programs, working with the potential Tasmanian AFL and AFLW players of tomorrow.
In the role, Cox-Goodyer will be based in Launceston but work across the three regions in ensuring cutting edge practices across Tasmania’s new academy programs. The new academy programs are part of the AFL’s commitment to identify and nurture the next stars of the game from all regions of Tasmania. With a key priority to attract the most talented athletes in the state, the program will aim to develop boys and girls across Tasmania’s three regions, enabling as many players as possible the chance to realise their dreams of being drafted to the AFL and AFLW competitions.
Talent academies and pathway programs from around Australia and the world were analysed as part of the new model’s creation process, ensuring the investment delivers a program in Tasmania that will be benchmarked against the best in the business.
The programs will roll out this year and underpin the existing Tasmania Devils talent pathway with boys and girls Under 16 and Under 18 teams in the Coates Talent League.
Cox-Goodyer commenced in the role from February 26, 2024, and is expected to continue playing with North Launceston in the TSL in 2024.
AFL Tasmania expects to have an update on the new Talent department leader with an announcement of the incoming State Talent Manager in the coming weeks.
Bradley Cox-Goodyer – DOB: 03/08/1993
North Launceston, Forward/Midfielder, 2008-2023
242 games, 431 goals for North Launceston, 2009-23 (318GM/493GL at all levels for NLFC since U12s)
North Launceston Playing Coach, 2021-23
5 x North Launceston TSL premierships 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019
2 x TSL Best & Fairest 2017, 2021 (Alastair Lynch Medal)
1 x TSL Media Player of the Year Award, 2019
2 x North Launceston Best & Fairest 2017, 2021 (Jack Hill Medal)
2 x Darrel Baldock Medal 2017, 2018 (Best on Ground, TSL Grand Final)
9 x TSL Team of the Year 2014, 2016, 2017 (vc), 2018 (c), 2019 (c), 2020, 2021, 2022 (vc), 2023 (Coach)
1 x Peter Hudson Medal, 2023 (TSL Leading Goalkicker)
7 x North Launceston Leading Goalkicker 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 (Equal), 2023
Two State Games: 2017 vs NEAFL (1 goal) 2023 vs QLD (2 goals, captain)
Quotes attributable to Head of AFL Tasmania, Damian Gill:
“We are thrilled to welcome a highly respected member of our football community into an important role in working with the next generation of Tasmanian footballers.
“We see Brad as a highly talented coach who is a perfect fit for the skill development focus in this role and in working to support our excited youngsters finding their way in the game.
“Brad’s playing exploits are well known to Tasmanians from his extraordinary TSL career and fingers crossed he can teach a few of our young players the ability to roost them from beyond the arc as well as he has done across the last decade!
“It is an exciting step to be confirming Brad’s appointment to the Skill Acquisition Coach role as it signals steps towards our new academies and another milestone in the exciting football journey our state is on.
“A major congratulations must go to North Launceston Football Club and the environment the club has provided to see the emergence of an impressive young coach like Brad. We are excited to welcome him to our team, but we certainly expect Brad to continue playing for his beloved North Launceston, this season.”
Quotes attributable to incoming Skill Acquisition Coach, Bradley Cox-Goodyer:
“This role presents a great opportunity for me to come in – when the spotlight is on Tassie footy – and play a role with our state’s future AFL and AFLW draftees to one day pull on the Tasmanian jumper.
“For me, getting involved in elite talent pathways has been something I’ve had an interest in for a while now.
“Working with that early elite age is a new step forward for Tasmania, and I will be coming into a new space myself. So, I’ll be a sponge – soaking up as much as I can – and working to develop in line with the fundamental skills of the game, as they advance.
“With that carrot of our own AFL and AFLW teams in front of us, it will further drive the excitement for junior footballers to want to play for their own team. And with the AFL’s commitment to skill development of local players from a young age, it will only enhance their draft chances.”