Collingwood development coach, Neville Jetta, has been awarded the 2022 Phil Walsh Memorial Scholarship.
Widely respected in the AFL industry for his contribution to the game on and off the field throughout a 13-year, 159-game playing career with Melbourne, Jetta joined Collingwood at the completion of his playing career last year.
In the words of Collingwood AFL coach Craig McRae, Jetta has had an immediate impact on the Collingwood program in a role which sees him take on development and mentoring responsibilities.
“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,” McRae said.
“He has a real presence already and has formed great connections in a short period of time. 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.”
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 has completed his Level 2 coaching accreditation and the AFL Coaches Association’s Next Coach Program. He was awarded the scholarship based on a commitment to the development of his coaching craft 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 worked with Indigenous youth through the 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.
“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,” Jetta said.
“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.
“I will be using the opportunity to continue 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, particular the NRL.
“I would love to be part of their yearly All Stars Indigenous camp/game. I have tremendous admiration for how they’ve continued to inspire and grow the game in Indigenous communities, whilst culturally educating those through the power of sport.”
Jetta is the seventh winner of the scholarship and the second successive Collingwood recipient. Magpie mid-field coach Scott Selwood was awarded the Phil Walsh Memorial Scholarship in 2021.
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
