Sydney Swans development coach Rhyce Shaw has been recognised for his outstanding season being named the Assistant Coach of the Year at the annual AFL Coaches Association awards.
Since his retirement at the end of the 2015 season Shaw has led the Swans NEAFL side to consecutive Grand Final appearances.
The Assistant Coach of the Year is awarded based on the input from both players and coaches at each club.
Coaches score the overall performance of the assistant and development coaches at their club, allocating each a score out of 10 (10 being the highest score).
Each assistant and development coach will receive an average score out of 10 from their club’s coaching panel, which will be matched by an average score out of 10 from their playing group to determine an overall score.
A key member of the development coaching group, Shaw has assisted many young Swans players with improving their performance to take the step up to AFL level.
Previous winners of the award from the Sydney Swans include Stuart Dew in 2016 and current senior coach John Longmire in 2006.
Longmire said he was rapt to see Shaw get the recognition for all his hard work since joining the coaching ranks.
“I am not to certain there has been many development coaches receive this award but it is wonderful reward for what Rhyce has been able to do since retiring,” Longmire said.
“He has made the transition from playing to coaching look so smooth, even though it is not as easy as what it has been made to look.
“Rhyce is fantastic with relationships, sensational with football knowledge and just a great asset to our football club.”
See below a full list of previous winners of the Assistant Coach of the Year award.
2016 - Stuart Dew (Sydney)
2015 - Adam Kingsley (St Kilda)
2014 - Brett Montgomery (Western Bulldogs)
2013 - Robert Harvey (Collingwood)
2012 - Peter Sumich (Fremantle)
2011 - Darren Crocker (North Melbourne)
2010 - Brendan McCartney (Geelong)
2009 - Mark Riley (Carlton)
2008 - Tony Elshaug (St Kilda)
2007 - Tony Micale (West Coast)
2006 - John Longmire (Sydney)
2005 - Robert Wiley (West Coast)
2004 - Phil Walsh (Port Adelaide)
2003 - Neil Craig (Adelaide)
