Western Bulldogs senior assistant coach Brett Montgomery has been accepted into the AFL’s Level Four Senior Coach Program for 2016.
Montgomery is joined by Fremantle Dockers assistant coach Peter Sumich, West Coast’s Justin Longmuir and Melbourne’s Jade Rawlings, as part of the four inductees to the program this year.
They will join the eight candidates chosen last year who continue in the program - John Barker (Carlton), Blake Caracella (Geelong Cats), Stuart Dew (Sydney Swans), Simon Goodwin (Melbourne), Robert Harvey (Collingwood), Adam Kingsley (St Kilda), Simon Lloyd (Fremantle) and Matthew Nicks (Port Adelaide).
Brendan Bolton was also part of the program before being appointed senior coach at Carlton for this season.
This program is designed to provide a clear development pathway for highly-rated assistant coaches with aspirations of becoming an AFL Senior Coach, and focuses on four key components – core coaching modules, an individual learning plan, a program for high impact leadership and individual coach mentoring.
Western Bulldogs General Manager of Football Graham Lowe said the Club was pleased to learn of Montgomery’s inclusion in this program.
"We’re pleased for Brett to be extended this opportunity, to continue his professional development as a coach, and the Club is fully supportive of him in this pursuit.
“We are pleased that his work has been recognised and rewarded in this manner.
Speaking with westernbulldogs.com.au, Montgomery said his inclusion in the program was a recognition of the performance and growth of the football department at the kennel.
"Whilst it's nice individual recognition, I believe it's great recognition for some of the good things we have been doing out in the west," Montgomery said.
"I'm extremely pleased to have been selected to be involved in the level 4 coaching program, and it's great opportunity for me to continue to grow my coaching and complement the nine years of experiences already gained.
"I'm looking forward to taking on all the challenges the program will throw at me to improve and enhance my coaching."
Montgomery began his playing career with the Bulldogs in 1996, playing a total of 204 games with the Dogs and Port Adelaide, playing in the Power’s 2004 premiership side and winning the club’s Best and Fairest award in 2000.
The 42-year old began his coaching career at Princes Park with Carlton in 2007, before returning to Whitten Oval in late 2010 to take up an assistant coaching role.
