South Warrnambool mentor wins 2019 AFL Victoria youth coach of the year award

The passionate South Warrnambool under 16 coach joined the Hampden league club as a junior player in the 1990s.

Conversations with Roosters' junior coaches more than two decades ago paid off at a gala dinner at Melbourne's Crown Casino on Friday night when Stevens won a top award.

"I was solid enough as a player but no superstar and what you learn from your own playing days hopefully helps all the players you're coaching," he said.

"There are stars and really talented kids and there are others who need a boost in confidence and need someone to believe in them for them to achieve and that is where I was as a player."

Stevens, 43, is a father of four. His four children are all tied to South Warrnambool.

Sons Archie, George and Jimmy play football and daughter Matilda suits up in the netball.

He has coached at under 12, under 14 and under 16 levels, including this season when George, still just 14, was part of the Roosters' under 16 premiership.

"It was a natural progression, as you have your own kids your priorities change," Stevens said.

"You think about things more than you did when you were a player.

"I started thinking 'I had great times at the football club and people helped provide me with those experiences'.

"Ans you take on that responsibility with your own kids and the rest of the kids so they get the same opportunities you did."

Stevens, who works in property development as part of a family business, said "you are always looking for ways to provide fun for the kids".

"That is what they start out playing footy for and we expand a bit to give them the framework so they can take it where they want to go," he said.

Stevens, who thanked his wife Nat for her support, said it was humbling to win the AFL Victoria gong.

"I took it all for granted a bit until I arrived at the venue and realised what a big presentation it was," he said.

"I was sitting back taking it all in, thinking 'this is pretty amazing'.

"I was pretty proud to be sitting in the company down there."

Stevens was one of two Hampden league mentors in contention at the awards night.

North Warrnambool Eagles' Adam O'Keefe was a finalist in the junior coach of the year.

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